Interview with a Legionnaire

In this post we are going to conduct an interview with a legionnaire. This interview has been made possible thanks to the staff of our Discord channel.

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Many times, I have been utterly exhausted during a march and repeated the marching spirit in my head: "A legionnaire will never say he is tired; until he collapses from exhaustion, his body will be the fastest and most resilient". 

How do you feel about being a legionnaire?

Being a legionnaire fills you with pride. Putting on the chapiri and knowing you belong to the small percentage of people privileged to wear it is deeply rewarding. You experience incredible things, and everything you go through in the Legion eventually becomes a story you can tell when you are a grandparent.

What do you have to do to earn the chapiri?

You go through a UFAL (Legion Training and Adaptation Unit) or UIL, depending on whether you are on the mainland or in the autonomous cities. This is a period of adaptation to Legion life. They push you harder there than at the CEFOT, which, by the way, does not push you at all. There is plenty of running and field training. They teach you our customs, traditions and Legionary Creed. You practise the combat drill routine, the “tabla de combate”, a great deal and handle the weapons you will later find in the companies.

What does it feel like to earn the chapiri?

Well, you feel that something you have wanted for years has finally arrived, you feel that you have entered the legionary family, you feel that you are part of the ranks of one of the best units in the world, you feel that you have the sacred oath to leave no man behind in the field until all perish.

Do you recommend it as a first unit to someone who has just joined?

Yes, if what you want is to be operational, live the legion, and train well as a soldier.

Do you think it is a unit to stay in for a long time, or is it too physically demanding?

In my opinion, it is a unit where you toughen up, learn and absorb the Legionary spirit. However, it is like other operational units: demanding physical activity, exercises, extended periods of continuous training and marches… If you want an easy life or little work, this is not the place for you. Studying is difficult, but not impossible.

What is day-to-day life like?

Physical training, almost always running, a shower, a quick breakfast, and then we change into field uniform for daily training. Fighting in built-up areas, TCCC, conventional combat: we learn to use all the weapons available to an infantryman, such as the mg42, mg4, ag36…

What are the maneuvers like?

There are several types of vehicle maneuvers where we are in a vehicle almost all the time, disembarking and doing what needs to be done: assaulting a position, assaulting a village...

There are exercises on foot, without combat vehicles, where we walk everywhere. These are toughening exercises with plenty of movement at night, “bravos papa”, infiltrations… And, of course, conventional combat and fighting in built-up areas.

Then there are more didactic maneuvers, to learn about IEDs with sapper units for example.

Do you think it is a unit where one can study?

You can study anywhere, although it is harder than in a less operational unit. If you organise yourself, you can manage it. I know a lieutenant who used to be a legionnaire, a legionnaire who is now a sergeant, and several who are now members of the Civil Guard. It is a matter of applying yourself, but you need to be very committed to your studies to succeed.

What does “El novio de la muerte” mean to you?

For me, from the heart, it is a song we sing for our fallen. It upsets me, just as it does the other legionnaires in Spain, when civilians, “pistolos” or Civil Guard personnel sing it mockingly. Many of us have sung it with tears in our eyes. It is the greatest expression of respect for our fallen, who are waiting for us above.

What does the legionary creed mean to you?

It is the Legion’s way of life. Everything we do in the Legion is based on it. Absolutely everything. Many times, I have been utterly exhausted on a march and repeated the marching spirit in my head: "A legionnaire will never say he is tired; until he collapses from exhaustion, his body will be the fastest and most resilient". It is the same in every aspect of my work: each principle of the Creed has a place in our daily routine. In civilian life too, the Creed guides the legionnaire’s path.

How often do you go on a mission in the legion?

The Legion deploys frequently, but different companies and battalions go each time. There are deployments almost every year. Remember that we have 4 Tercios, a sapper battalion, a headquarters battalion, an artillery group, a cavalry group and a logistics group… Every year, some unit gets a deployment.

Is it a unit where shooting, combat tactics, etc. are practiced regularly?

Yes, the manuals are updated, and we try to make all our procedures second nature so that they come instinctively in a real situation. We do a lot of shooting and military training. Usually, there are four days of military training and one day of maintenance each week.

What are the superiors like?

There is a bit of everything. Corporals have considerable influence here; seniority counts, after all… Their experience strengthens the training of legionnaires. The NCOs I have personally worked with are very competent and professional. Officers lead the platoons, companies and battalions. To improve their own training, they often take part in leadership-only exercises and attend many courses and training days so that they can train the legionnaires properly.

How can one access the BOEL?

You have to take the special operations course. To enter it, you must pass some tests and then make it through the course itself. Afterwards, you choose the BOEL in ranking order. It sounds easy when put like that, but it is not a path everyone can follow.

Do your superiors allow you to use equipment that is not issued?

It depends. Some battalions allow it and others do not; it depends on the Lieutenant Colonel in charge. They generally have no objection to first-line gear. For plate carriers, helmets and so on, however, it depends on the battalion and company. Some companies allow it and others do not. You may fit accessories to your weapon if you ask your superior for permission and they authorise it.

Which battalion is the most operational?

There is none as such, but it is true that the most operational ones are the infantry ones; we are always on maneuvers or doing training.

What do you do throughout the year? Approximate calendar of what is done each year in the legion

It depends on the objective for that year. A normal training year is different from a year of deployment preparation, when real mission situations are simulated and prepared for.

A normal year follows a similar pattern from start to finish: a high-intensity period with exercises, marches and extended periods of continuous training. In summer, a low-intensity period begins, when we improve the company’s facilities, maintain weapons or carry out any other assigned task.

How are September 20th and October 12th celebrated?

September 20th is our anniversary, and we celebrate it with all the intensity you can imagine. We open our barracks to family members so they can enjoy the day with us. It is a very important date: the ceremony is prepared with great precision and celebrated with great passion. October 12th is experienced as any Spaniard should, with pride and satisfaction of being who we are.

What does a person need to be a good legionnaire?

First, you have to want to be one; that is the most important thing. Then come the usual qualities for a unit like the Legion: good fitness, a solid moral grounding, a strong commitment to service and camaraderie that is just as strong outside the base as inside it. You need the right attitude and a real desire to be the best legionnaire in the homeland. That guarantees you will be a good legionnaire.

Do you want to give any advice to end the interview?

Whoever wants to be a Legionnaire should fight for it, let no one tell you that you are not capable, or that you won't make it, if I have made it, anyone can, you just have to want to be it and work for it, you can be whatever you want if you truly work for it. Whoever sows something reaps it, so the future legionnaires should sow the seed of the chapiri from today so that in the future they can reap its fruit.

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