First of all, please don't laugh.

Or laugh away, anyway. The joke isn't at my expense.

One of my friends just went off and joined the French Foreign Legion. Really. The thing is, he used to be from the same (not-so-)Liechtenauer-focused group I was in, and now he's wondering if there are any WMA groups he could visit (or, better still, join) on off-duty days while he's in France. Not immediately, of course, since after all he's going to the Farm (i.e. basic training), and after that he'd be unable to leave metropolitan France before he finishes his first year in service (so groups in neighbouring countries would only be accessible after that). I'm asking this on his behalf because he made me a panicked phone call when he was about to be shipped off to the Farm, saying that he had forgotten to ask these questions beforehand. I'll just forward the results to him when he has finished basic training and all. He'd prefer to be able to continue his study of the Liechtenauer lineage but wouldn't mind branching out to other medieval masters like Fiore or Vadi as long as they have longswords as part of their curriculum.

As usual, thanks beforehand for all the suggestions.

I have a feeling that WMA may be about the last thing on his mind on his days off. Sleeping and seeing the doctor are likely to come higher up his list.

Good luck to him - that is quite a choice he just made.

Tod

Heh. He's that kind of person--always the overachiever. And if he hasn't changed, who knows? Maybe he'd have enough energy left to go and practice on his leave days, especially once he starts getting more of them in his second and third years.

This is I think the best list out there for the French groups:
http://www.amheonweb.net/site/association_list

Finding longsword adepts is quite easy. If he had rapier in mind that would have been a much greater challenge around here :)

Regards,

Damn. That site is such a devilish temptation. I ended up browsing it myself rather than looking for something useful for my poor Legionnaire friend....

(And thanks, before I get so distracted that I forget my manners.)

I would suggest he continues to enjoy longsword, but that he also learn (maybe even focus on) grappling, wrestling, and dagger work. :D
Just a thought.