Promo Parachutiste

Selection

Selection for 2e REP takes 4 weeks. The first 2 weeks are physical tests across terrain. Parachute training takes place at Camp Raffalli and runs for 2 weeks with a total of 6 jumps.

2e REP is the only regiment of the Legion which trains its paratroopers. The Legionnaires spend their parachute training in Calvi TAP within the walls of the regiment. All other Regular French Army units are trained at the École des troupes aéroportées (ETAP) in Pau.

Every new legionnaire has a password, assigned to a TAP instructor. This training is called the "promotion" or "the promo". It lasts for 2 to 4 weeks depending on aircraft availability for the jumping session. When "the promotion" lasts two weeks, the first is devoted to instruction on the ground and the second to instruction on jumping. If the training is extended for a week training is also included on combat formation.

After spending basic training with the 4th Foreign Regiment at Castelnaudary, recruits are assigned to regiments. Those who have the ability are grouped by an NCO from Calvi, who is responsible for their recovery. They are then taken on a ferry to Corsica and met by a bus at the island port.

Troops arrive at the barracks on Saturday morning. During the weekend they are still under the command of their monitor and they visit Camp Raffalli Legionnaires and paratroopers museum. During the first week of "promoting" the future legionnaire paratroopers still have to pass a series of physical tests, tests TAP:

TAP1

TAP2

TAP3

First week - ground training: parachute equipment, exit procedures, landing procedures, emergency procedures.

Second week - flight phase: the first jump, second jump with opening of reserve parachute in flight, third through sixth jumps with increasing weapons and equipment. After completing the sixth jump, the soldier is issued his basic parachutist badge. The 2eme REP make the greatest number of jumps per year in the French Army. A legionnaire makes an average of 15 jumps per year.