Modern legion Spanish Legion

1 modern legion

1.1 present role , deployment
1.2 units constituting modern spanish legion
1.3 special forces of spanish legion

modern legion

in 2000s (decade), after abandonment of conscription, spanish legion once again accepted foreigners service. male , female native spanish speakers, central american , south american states, included.

today, acceptance spanish legion based on following criteria:

be spanish citizen; although citizens former spanish colonies can join (foreign recruits required have valid spanish residence permit).
be citizen in legal standing
not deprived of civil rights
be @ least 18 years of age , not 29 on day of joining boot camp.
be able pass psychological, physical , medical evaluations


the spanish legion on bastille day military parade in paris (2007)

in recent years, spanish legion involved in bosnia part of sfor. took part in iraq war, deploying in najaf alongside salvadoran troops, until new spanish government of josé luis rodríguez zapatero fulfilled electoral promises withdrawing spanish troops iraq. legion units deployed in iraq involved in several operations against insurgency. in 2005, legion deployed in afghanistan part of nato-led international stabilisation force (isaf). in 2006, 10th bandera sent southern lebanon part of united nations operation unifil.

present role , deployment

the spanish legion used in nato peacekeeping missions. has 5,000 soldiers in brigade of 2 tercios (regiments) based in ronda, málaga , viator, almería (andalusia). 2 other independent tercios deployed in spanish african enclaves of ceuta , melilla part of respective garrisons. legion directly controlled spanish general staff.

although detachment @ málaga transferred away, each year company of legionaries 1 of tercios (regiments) returns march in holy week procession christ of death, life-size effigy of christ crucified, adopted legion patron in 1920s. has own confraternity home chapel located in historic city, veterans served in unit counted among membership. legion s detachments take part in various holy week events nationwide, including military band.

the legion remains disciplined elite unit.

legionnaires in iraq.


units constituting modern spanish legion

the active units of spanish legion are:

ii spanish legion brigade rey alfonso xiii in viator

2nd spanish legion headquarters bandera
2nd spanish legion light armored cavalry group reyes católicos
3rd spanish legion tercio don juan de austria

vii spanish legion bandera valenzuela
viii spanish legion bandera colón


4th spanish legion tercio alejandro farnesio

x spanish legion bandera millán astray


2nd spanish legion field artillery group
2nd spanish legion engineer battalion
2nd spanish legion logistic group

in other commands:

1st spanish legion tercio gran capitán

i spanish legion bandera comandante franco


2nd spanish legion tercio duque de alba

iv spanish legion bandera cristo de lepanto



special forces of spanish legion

the legion used have special operations unit known bandera de operaciones especiales de la legión (legion special operations company or boel). members of unit, volunteers other banderas of legion, received training in: scuba/maritime warfare, arctic , mountain warfare, sabotage , demolitions, parachute , halo techniques, long range reconnaissance, counter-terrorism , cqb, vehicle insertion, sniping , sere (survival, escape, resistance , evasion). of training undertaken @ fort bragg (usa). in 2002 boel renamed 19th special operations group maderal oleaga (goe-xix) , moved alicante. goe-xix accepts applicants other light infantry units , no longer forms part of legion, nowadays subordinated special operations groups.