The 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment (French: 2e Régiment étranger de parachutistes, 2e REP) is an airborne regiment of the French Foreign Legion, stationed at Camp Raffalli near the town of Calvi on the island of Corsica, just south of mainland France. It is part of the 11th Parachute Brigade and the spearhead of the French Rapid reaction force.
The initial four weeks at Camp Raffalli are spent on specialised and parachute training. Enhanced training and combat experience will be gained during the first year. Only after this does a Legionnaire properly earn his right in the 2ème REP. Once in the REP there is much emphasis on physical training and there are plenty of sportclubs on camp. There are many traditions in the regiment. For example, there are three roll calls a day. The first one in the morning, the second one after lunch and the last one at 2100 in the evening. Another tradition is that of a Legionnaire being confined in the island during the first year of his posting there. It is also tradition for the whole regiment to march across the island from one side to the other once a year. This is a distance of about 124 miles (200 km).
The contract will last probably 2 years before being posted, but many choose to stay longer. The Regiment is frequently away on detachments, normally for four months at a time. Promotion is slow and courses are harder since the competition is tougher.
Read more about 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment: Selection, Organization, Commanding Officers, Notable Officers and Legionnaires, Gallery, Battle Honours
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