ID this...French Foreign Legion?

[dangerdan87]

In this pic, this guy looks Polynesian (the tattoo gives it away), but hes in French gear and uniform. I'm stationed in Hawaii, and alot of the locals have Polynesian tattoos like in the photo. Or he could be from one of the Samoan Islands. Any ideas?

http://i40.tinypic.com/30d8akp.jpg

[Emibro]

French Polynesia? His arm badge is from a Regiment Infanterie de Marine, so maybe is a French National from Nouvelle Caledonia or some other Pacific territory...

E*

[happyslapper]

I'm sure the FFL usually have a shoulder flash saying 'Legion Etrangere'. France is a multi-ethnic country, for all we know his family could have been living in Bordeux for 5 generations, or he could be from French Polynesia or another overseas territory.

[dangerdan87]

Didn't know there were Polynesians in France. Thats cool to know.

[Emibro]

Didn't know there were Polynesians in France. Thats cool to know.

Not only there are Polynesians in France, but also French in Polynesia...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_Polynesia

http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/R%C3%A9giment_d%27Infanterie_de_Marine_du_Pacifique

http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/(Papeete)_r%C3%A9giment_d%27Infanterie_de_Marine_du_Pacifique

E*

[rgjbloke]

Whatever he is, he's a tough looking squaddy who appears well up for a ruck if the Taliban will oblige.

[gaijinsamurai]

French Polynesia? His arm badge is from a Regiment Infanterie de Marine, so maybe is a French National from Nouvelle Caledonia or some other Pacific territory...

E*

Agreed.Also, notice the other marine has a black beret, which I believe signifies the marine regiments.

(Legion Etrangere=green beret)

[Mordoror]

Probably from Tahiti/French Polynesia or Wallis and Futuna (i'll bet for this last one)
unlikely to be from Nouvelle Caledonia, there is only few melanesian ethnics there (caledonian are a different ethnicity)

our Maoris in some wayp-) (and same bad asses. I had a couple of Tahitian/Wallisian in my army regiment in the security squad. Like all Melanesian they were friendly, funny and sympathic but were guys nobody wanted to mess with, especially when they had drunk several beers.....)

[AROUETLJ]

Some of you guys astound me. You're intelligent enough to deduce that he's Polynesian from the tattoos, and yet you do not know of this territory called French Polynesia, or of non-ethnic Europeans living in Europe. Anyway, next time you see that little diamond patch on the arm, you'll know the soldier in question is from the Troupes de Marine, therefore not FFL.

Reminds me of those conspiracy theories when someone posted a picture of a "tanned" fellow wearing Tropentarn...

[Lasse]

next time you see that little diamond patch on the arm, you'll know the soldier in question is from the Troupes de Marine, therefore not FFL.
What if it's a Blood Diamond?

Then he must be from around here.

[miguelencanarias]

Thank god the French army has ditched the tight cut in their uniforms and now use a wider one. Imagine a Polynesian guy in a spandex-like outfit like the one they had a few years ago...

[trunk_munkey28]

Thank god the French army has ditched the tight cut in their uniforms and now use a wider one. Imagine a Polynesian guy in a spandex-like outfit like the one they had a few years ago...
The French Army femmes, however...

[Soldat_Américain]

Definitely not FFL. Troupes de Marine ftw.

[2/1kiwi]

I say Tahiti

[Creampuff]

Definitely not a Samoan tattoo, as far as I know Sasa's are serving in the US, OZ and NZ armed forces oh and Have seen one in Germany.

[Panchito12]

Agreed.Also, notice the other marine has a black beret, which I believe signifies the marine regiments.

(Legion Etrangere=green beret)

Yeah and nay. I agree that this is a TDM trooper - the black beret of the other guy helps with the ID.

BUT, don't forget that there are 4 airborne TDM units (1er RIPMA, 2eme RIPMA, 3eme RIPMA, 8eme RIPMA) and they use a RED BERET.p-)

[cagey veteran]

which way does that commando watch band open?

[Lamer]

Wherever he is from he looks like a BAMF

[gaijinsamurai]

Yeah and nay. I agree that this is a TDM trooper - the black beret of the other guy helps with the ID.

BUT, don't forget that there are 4 airborne TDM units (1er RIPMA, 2eme RIPMA, 3eme RIPMA, 8eme RIPMA) and they use a RED BERET.p-)

Correct. If the other trooper had a red beret, it would have been a good sign he was from one of the parachutiste units, other than the fact he was wearing a Troupes d' marine patch.

[Soldat_Américain]

Notice the contrast in equipment as well...not because of race though. The soldier in the background has standard issue flak vest and a regular FAMAS, whereas the soldier in the foreground has an Eagle CIRAS(I'm guessing since that is the kit issued to the French in Afghanistan, but still not widespread) and the optics as well as the other gizmos on his rifle.