French military corps consisting originally of foreign volunteers in the pay of France 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, Mexico, Syria, and Southeast Asia. The new volunteer swears to serve not France but the legion; after three years of service with good conduct, foreign-born soldiers are eligible for French citizenship. Since the legion keeps a volunteer's past secret, it has been romanticized as a haven for those seeking new identities, including criminals, but legionnaires typically are professional soldiers. Originally headquartered in Algeria, the legion moved its headquarters to France after Algerian independence.
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