Jean-Claude Coullon was a Général d'armée of the French Army and Commandant of the French Foreign Legion. Military career As a trooper enfant () in 1942, he frequented the military institutions of Billom, Autun, and Prytanée where he prepared his candidate access to the grand military institutions (). He subscribed to an engagement of 8 years at the Special Military Inter-arm School () as of October 1, 1950. In reason of the curriculum of the époque, he was detached to the 19th Mounted Chasseurs Battalion () at Landau. He was designated as a Caporal-Chef (Senior Corporal) on February 1, 1951. On the 13, he joined Coetquidan. He was designated as a Sergent (Sergeant) on April 1. He was nominated to the rank of Sous-lieutenant, on September 1, 1952 and joined the Infantry Application School () on October 1. As soon as he made his sortie, on October 1, 1953, he was assigned to the 3rd company of 20th Mounted Chasseur Battalion () at Tübingen at the FFA, in quality as a section (platoon) chief () and an elevated platoon ranking chief student (). Designated to Legion reinforcement for Indochina, he joined the DCLE at Sidi bel Abbes, on June 22, 1954, to embark from the camp of Nouvion, on the S/S Jamaique. Disembarked in Saigon on September 7, the war being finished, the young officers of the Legion reinforcement were spread in various units, and Lieutenant Coullon, promoted since seven days, was assigned to the 13th company of the 4th battalion of the 5th Moroccan Tirailleurs Regiment (). The 4th battalion of the 5th Moroccan Tirailleurs Regiment (IV/5e RTM) became the 2nd battalion of the 9th Moroccan Tiraillieurs Regiment (II/9e RTM) on October 1. He served in quality of section chief and adjoint () to the battalion chief. Repatriated with his unit to North Africa, he benefitted from a leave at the end of the campaign to count from September 10, 1955. Following the leave, he joined his unit garrisoned at El Hajeb, on November 4, then he followed the unit to Algeria, at Mostaganem, Tebessa and Ras el Ench, as of January 1956. The 2nd battalion of the 9th Moroccan Tirailleurs Regiment was repatriated to metropolis and garrisoned at the camp de Souge in Gironde, on March 11, 1956. He assumed command of a company in March 1957. On April 1, 1958, he was assigned to the 4th mounted