Mathieu Lesueur

CDT **Mathieu Lesueur** (born 1981) is an officer in the French Foreign Legion. He is currently the commanding officer of 11e régiment d’infanterie légion étranger (11e REI).

# Biography

## Early life

Lesueur was born in southwest France in 1981. Orphaned during the civil disorder that followed the 1997 nuclear exchanges, he lived on the streets and in refugee camps.

## Military career

### 1998-2001 (Early military career)

Lesueur joined the French Army as a young volunteer in 1998, serving as an infantryman on the Italian border and gaining his first combat experience during counterinsurgency operations against Italian communist partisans.

### 2001-2005 (3e REI)

In 2001, on promotion to Sergeant (Fr: *Sergent*) in 2001, Lesueur was recommended for officer training. He graduated from the 2e École militaire de réserve as a Probationary 2nd Lieutenant (Fr: *Aspirant*) in 2002 and he was assigned to 3e régiment étranger (3e REI) in the Arabian Gulf as and infantry platoon commander. The regiment was heavily engaged against Shia militias in southern Iraq and had a well-earned reputation for ferocity, and Lesueur was cited for valour during sustained urban combat in Saddam City/Sadr City. He was confirmed as a 2nd Lieutenant (Fr: *Sous-lieutenant*) in 2003 and transfered to 3e REI's reconnaissance platoon. He was promoted to 1st Lieutenant (Fr: *Lieutenant*) in 2004 and served as a staff officer in the 3e REI headquarters company.

### 2005-2007 (Reserve Depot)

In 2005, he returned to France and served at the Foreign Legion Reserve Depot (Fr: *Dépôt de réserve de la Légion étrangère*) at Sathonay. As deputy commander of a recruit company, Lesueur developed a reputation as an uncompromising disciplinarian, particularly where crimes were committed against by recruits against fellow legionnaires. Even minor thefts in barracks were punished rigorously, with Lesueur insisting that a man who would steal a comrade-in-arms toothbrush or socks during training would steal rations, ammunition, and medical supplies during combat.

### 2007-2009 (Lebanon)

In 2007, pushing for a return to combat duty, he was promoted to Captain (Fr: Capitaine) and assigned to command the Foreign Legion Detachment of Lebanon (Fr: Détachement de la Légion étrangère du Liban, DLEL), a reinforced infantry company based at the Port of Tripoli and conducting operations in the hinterland.

### 2009-present (11e REI)

In 2009, he was transferred to West Africa with an urgent draft of reinforcements for 11e REI. He assumed command of 2e Compagnie and led his infantryman from the front in several desperate engagements against Ivorian rebels and in cross-border raids into Liberia. He was cited for valour during the Battle of Cavalla (Fr: *Bataille de Cavally*). In November, he was promoted to Commandant (CDT) and appointed as commanding officer (Fr: *chef de bataillon*) of 11e REI.

# Physical description

Lesueur is average height, of lean build, and has aweather-tanned complexion. He wears a faded green Legion beret. He always keeps his FN FNC rifle within reach. As an officer, he still smokes the same coarse army-issued cigarettes that he first smoked as a young enlisted recruit over a decade ago.

# NPC motivations

* *Spade Queen - Ruthless*
Lesueur is a ruthlessly efficient soldier. He acts without passion or hate, per the Legion's code of honour, and simply strives to complete the mission.
* *Spade 7 - Power, mid level*
Lesueur is ambitious and believes he performs to the best of his ability when he is in charge. He desires promotion not for personal glory, but because he believes he can be more effective as a soldier if he has greater authority.