Foreign Legion Pioneers (Pionniers)
The Pioneers of the Foreign Legion are a "unit of tradition". They march at the head of Foreign Legion detachments during ceremonial parades. The Legion's Pioneers are bearded, wear buffalo leather aprons, and carry polished axes on their shoulders.
Pionniers of the 1st Foreign Regiment 1er RE.
A Pionniers Sapeurs of the 1st Foreign Infantry Regiment 1er REI during 1970 with Medaille Militaire, Croix de la Valeur Militaire (2 palms and 2 stars), Médaille d'Outre-Mer (2 agrafes-clasps).
Insignia of the 1st Foreign Regiment
Regimental Colors of the 1st Foreign Regiment, 1e R.E
A pioneer is a soldier employed to perform engineering and construction tasks. The term is in principle similar to sapper or combat engineer.
1886 cigarette card depicting an Austrian pioneer