French Légion Étrangère.
French military corps consisting originally of foreigners but now including many Frenchmen.
It was founded in 1831 as a highly disciplined professional army to help control French colonies in Africa. Since its founding, it has been in almost continuous combat; its forces have fought or been stationed in such places as Europe, the Crimea, Mexico, Syria, and Indochina. The new volunteer swears to serve not France but the legion; after serving one enlistment (five years) with good conduct, foreign-born soldiers are eligible for French citizenship. Since it keeps a volunteer's past secret, it has been romanticized as a haven for those seeking new identities, including criminals, but most legionnaires are professional soldiers who enjoy combat. Originally headquartered in Algeria, the legion moved its headquarters to France after Algerian independence.