Uniforms of the French Foreign Legion: A Comprehensive Guide

The French Foreign Legion, a renowned military corps of the French Army, is famed not only for its storied history and unique recruitment policy but also for its distinctive and varied uniforms. These uniforms, worn by legionnaires in France and across the globe, are more than just attire; they represent tradition, duty, and the diverse roles undertaken by this elite fighting force. This article delves into the comprehensive world of uniforms of the French Foreign Legion, exploring the different types worn by legionnaires during their service, from daily duties in garrisons to combat operations and ceremonial parades.

French Foreign Legion Uniforms

French Foreign Legion Combat Uniforms

The combat uniform of the French Foreign Legion has undergone significant evolution, adapting to modern warfare and diverse operational environments while maintaining functionality and practicality.

Evolution of Combat Uniforms

From the 1970s to the mid-2010s, the standard combat dress for legionnaires was the French Uniform F1 in olive green, later supplemented by the camouflage Uniform F2 from 2000, which retained the same cut as the F1.

A significant shift occurred between 2015 and 2020 with the introduction of tactical uniforms mirroring the U.S. Army style. Initially, the Uniform T3, first utilized in Afghanistan in the late 2000s, and subsequent updated versions, Uniform T4 S1 and the more prevalent Uniform T4 S2, were adopted. These uniforms, all featuring a Central Europe (CE) camouflage pattern, were intended as provisional solutions. The lack of a singular preferred model resulted in legionnaires often wearing all three types within the same unit.

These T3 and T4 series uniforms were designed for versatility, with variations for temperate, desert (Daguet camouflage), and tropical climates. Emphasizing mobility and endurance, they were constructed to be lightweight yet robust for rigorous military activities.

Another notable change in the mid-2010s was the phasing out of traditional rangers combat boots in favor of commercial outdoor boots from brands like Lowa, Haix, and Meindl. This led to a diverse array of footwear within units, with potential future standardization around new combat boots from Haix.

Since 2020, the French Foreign Legion has transitioned to the Uniform F3, a completely redesigned French combat uniform. Initially deployed in overseas operations, the F3 progressively became common in mainland France and Corsica garrisons by late 2020 and early 2021. However, uniform policy remained varied into late 2021, with different uniforms still observed in garrisons. Currently, the guerrilla combat shirt is a frequently worn non-operational uniform within the Legion, available in various designs.

Minor variations are common in combat uniforms across different Legion regiments, companies, and even platoons. These often involve boots, jackets, shirts, and load-bearing equipment, influenced by commander preferences or individual legionnaire choices, when authorized.

Combat Uniforms in France and Corsica

Legionnaires stationed in mainland France and Corsica utilize specific combat uniforms tailored to different duties and conditions.

Garrison Service Combat Uniform

This uniform is designated for routine military service and tasks within garrisons in France and Corsica, as well as during emergency responses to natural disasters in these regions. It is worn without weaponry.

Summer Period Composition:

Green beret (formal headgear, paired with jacket or combat shirt)
Combat uniform undershirt or T-shirt (green/olive or camouflage)
a) Combat uniform jacket (Central Europe CE camouflage pattern):
- Uniform F3 or Uniform T4 S2
- Sleeves rolled up or down
- Name patch
- Rank patch
- Company identification patch (or platoon patch in exceptional cases)
b) Guerrilla ripstop combat shirt (CE pattern), as jacket alternative:
- Sleeves rolled up or down
- Name patch
- Rank patch
- Company identification patch (or platoon patch in exceptional cases)
Combat uniform trousers (F3 or T4 S2 versions, CE pattern) and green belt
Casual commercial outdoor boots

Winter Period Composition:

Green beret (formal headgear)
Wool watch cap (informal headgear for cold weather)
Combat T-shirt (green/olive or camouflage) and long-sleeved combat shirt (dark olive)
a) Combat uniform jacket (CE pattern):
- Uniform F3 or Uniform T4 S2
- Sleeves rolled down
- Name patch
- Rank patch
- Company identification patch (or platoon patch in exceptional cases)
b) Guerrilla ripstop combat shirt (CE pattern), as jacket alternative:
- Sleeves rolled down
- Name patch
- Rank patch
- Company identification patch (or platoon patch in exceptional cases)
Camouflage fleece jacket or green outdoor jacket (informal for cold weather)
Green underpants (for cold weather)
Combat uniform trousers (F3 or T4 S2 versions, CE pattern) and green belt
Casual commercial outdoor boots
Parka gore-tex and trousers gore-tex (CE camouflage pattern, for cold weather)

Green T-shirt and undershirt of the French Foreign Legion

Guerrilla Shirt of the French Foreign Legion – 2e REI

Guerrilla Shirt of the French Foreign Legion – 2e REP

French Foreign Legion – Guerrilla Shirts – 2021

French Foreign Legion – Uniform T4 S2 – 2e REI

French Foreign Legion – Uniform F3 – Commanding officers – 2021

French Foreign Legion – Outdoor boots – 1er REG

French Foreign Legion – Beret – badges

French Foreign Legion – Company patches

Military Training Combat Uniform

This uniform is worn during military training exercises and maneuvers in mainland France and Corsica, and is always worn with arms.

Uniform Composition:

Headgear:
- a) Green beret (not with T-shirts)
- b1) 1978 Helmet (obsolete, rarely used)
- b2) FELIN ballistic helmet (replaced 1978 Helmet)
- b3) F3 ballistic helmet (replaced FELIN helmet since 2020)
- c) Bush hat (with T-shirt)
- d) Baseball cap (rare, mainly instructors at shooting ranges)
- e) Wool watch cap (informal, cold weather)
Combat T-shirt (green/olive or camouflage)
Long-sleeved dark-olive combat shirt (cold weather)
a) Combat uniform jacket (CE pattern, F3)
b) Tactical combat shirt (green or sand), as jacket alternative
Camouflage fleece jacket or green outdoor jacket (informal, cold weather)
Green underpants (cold weather)
Combat uniform trousers (F3 or T4 S2 versions, CE pattern), with green belt
Casual commercial outdoor boots (since mid-2010s)
Parka gore-tex and trousers gore-tex (CE camouflage pattern, cold/rainy weather)
a) Lightweight plate carrier system (bulletproof vest and load carrying)
b) Load carrying equipment (with or without bulletproof vest)
Patrol pack/rucksack/backpack (mostly Camelbak Motherlode or BFM)
NRBC suit (nuclear, radiological, biological, chemical – infrequent use)

French Foreign Legion – SMB – Plate carrier system

French Foreign Legion – Tactical Combat Shirt – 1er RE – 2018

French Foreign Legion – 2018 – Tactical Combat Shirt – 2e REI – FELIN helmet – 1978 Helmet – 2e REP

French Foreign Legion – 2021 – Helmet F3

French Foreign Legion – Tactical Combat Shirt – Bush hat – 2e REP

French Foreign Legion – fleece jacket – 1er REC

$French Foreign Legion - Parka Gore-tex - 2018 - 2e REP$ French Foreign Legion – Parka Gore-tex – 2018 – 2e REP

French Foreign Legion – NBC suit – 2018 – 1er REG

French Foreign Legion – Camelbak – Packs – 2018 – 2e REI

French Foreign Legion – wool watch cap – 2018 – 4e RE

Foreign Legion Info store – Banner
Alt text: Banner for the Foreign Legion Info store.

Military Operation Combat Uniform

For military operations, missions, or guard duties in France and Corsica, such as Operation Sentinelle, legionnaires utilize a combat uniform based on the standard combat dress but always equipped with arms.

Uniform Composition:

Headgear:
- a) Green beret
- b1) FELIN ballistic helmet
- b2) F3 ballistic helmet
Combat T-shirt (green/olive or camouflage)
Long-sleeved dark-olive combat shirt (cold weather)
a) Combat uniform jacket (CE pattern, T3 or T4 versions)
b) Tactical combat shirt (green or sand chest), as jacket alternative
Green underpants (cold weather)
Combat uniform trousers (T3 or T4 S2 versions, CE pattern) and green belt
Casual commercial outdoor boots (since mid-2010s)
Parka gore-tex and trousers gore-tex (CE camouflage pattern, cold weather)
a) Lightweight plate carrier system (bulletproof vest and load carrying)
Patrol pack/rucksack/backpack (mostly Camelbak Motherlode or BFM)
NRBC suit (emergency use only)

French Foreign Legion – 2e REI – Combat Uniform

French Foreign Legion – 2e REG – Combat Uniform – Operation Sentinelle – Paris – 2018

French Foreign Legion – 2e REP – Combat Uniform – Operation Sentinelle – Marseille – 2018

French Foreign Legion – 2e REI – Combat Uniform – Operation Sentinelle – Strasbourg – 2018

Combat Uniforms in France’s Overseas Territories

French Foreign Legion deployments in overseas territories, including French Guiana, Mayotte, Réunion, New Caledonia, French Polynesia, Guadeloupe, and Martinique, largely utilize combat uniforms similar to those in mainland France and Corsica, with minor regional adaptations.