French Army Recruits Volunteers Through Reality TV

The six volunteers struggled to make their beds on their first night at the regiment and struggled even more to get out of them at 6.30am the following morning.

They wobbled under the weight of their kitbags and puffed their way through the obstacle course.

But the French Army is hailing the hapless half dozen for their role in what it says is the world's first military venture into reality television.

Read the whole story here.

Comments

[SPQR1052]

As an American and student of history and former military servicemen, when my countrymen attack the French I remind them of 1791 and Yorktown. General George Washington and the dream of our great republic could and would have ended at that battle if not for the French's blockade of the British in the harbor. Washington had nowhere to go he was surrounded by British and the harbor was filled with British Navy ships. The French arrived late, but they held the British Navy and denied them to assist in reinforcement of General Cornwallis. This monumental battle gave the Continental Army momentum and the surrender of the internationally respected "extraordinary" military mastermind and legend - Lord General Cornwallis.

Otherwise General Washington would have been captured, perhaps executed and thus the end.

The French, the guys that gave us the Statue of Liberty fought with us side by side throughout our nations rebellion against the British - no other European nation did thus we owe them at least some dignity and respect.

Just saying....

[AliMB]

having lived in paris as a student for a couple of years, i can tell you that the whole franco-american divide is exaggerated... most french have lots of admiration and attachment for the united states, even if they do criticize it a lot. but the french love to criticize (and I do mean love), so it shouldn't be taken personally! in terms of foreign policy, both goverments usually agree on most things important and work together on many issues that people in the states rarely ever hear about.

[Atcha]

That's not true, we don't care much about military achievements but we value culture and intellect and can't help noticing that Americans, or rather US citizens, differ from us in that regard. There were no hard feelings over the american critics a few years ago but rather a bit of pity at watching a nation react in such a narrow-mindednationalistic fashion. I work in a company with many European nationalities, a few South-Americans and a few US citizens, it's funny how the US ones who are always castigated for their lack of subtlelty while the South-Americans are perfectly integrated

[motoGpifupleez]

Nicely said.

[hamchunk]

The French Army and its Soldiers are great, regardless of what those in the US say. I went through Commando Entrainment with the 42 INF RGT back in 1989. Great guys. Bon chance, mon amis.

[SPQR1052]

bon chance "mes" amis. :-) Merci mon ami.

[hamchunk]

Sorry about that, I haven't had to speak French since 1990. How do you say, "My bad" in French?

[Atcha]

It's "bonne chance"