“Olivier Silva decided that he wanted to be a soldier when he was 14 years old. He heard that the French Foreign Legion was the best army in the world. He wanted to start immediately, but because he was too young, he had to wait until he was at least seventeen. Disappointed that he could not make his dream come true at that time, he started to train himself with physical exercises. He had to do this at night, because he had to go to school in the daytime. During classes at school, he often fell asleep because he was so tired. As soon as he finished school and reached the age of seventeen, he applied for the Legion.

I started to photograph him on his first day in the French Foreign Legion in July 2000 and followed him through his intensive training in different places in France and Africa. I am interested in showing Olivier’s physical and mental development during his five first years in the Legion. And also, how he has gained maturity and confidence as a professional soldier, having his first combat experience this year at the Côte d’Ivoire.”