The French Army is gearing up for high-intensity warfare. But what does it take to become one of its elite soldiers? We spent several months with the GCP, the parachute commando group of the 11th Parachute Brigade. This unit of select warriors has been involved in every conflict zone for the last three decades.
In this three-part series, we will reveal how the Army’s parachute commandos are chosen and trained for their demanding missions. The aspiring parachute commando must pass three rigorous stages before he is ready to deploy.
The first video showed the selection phase, where only the best candidates make the cut. The second video follows the Jedburgh course, where he learns the essential skills of a commando.
The most challenging part of the training is the four-week combat shooting course with the Legion’s 2nd Foreign Parachute Regiment (2e REP). This elite unit is the only airborne regiment in the Foreign Legion and has a reputation for excellence and toughness. The trainee will learn how to operate in various environments, from urban to mountainous, and use different weapons and explosives. He will also face physical and mental tests that will push him to the limit.
The third and final video covers the operational jumper course, where he masters the techniques of high-altitude parachuting and infiltration.
