I never said they were a poor unit, I just stated they should be compared to other elite units, not entire armies. You seem to be saying they are the best unit in the world, I am not so sure this is true.
You make it sound like the FFL has can operate 100% autonomous. Do they really have that ability like the USMC does? Logistical transport, Logistical ships, fighters, etc. If not, then the FFL should be compared not to services, but the best unit in services. And with that measure, they don't look as exceptional.
In size they are a heavy brigade or a light divisions (7800), so this seems to be the type of units to compare them too. The US Army rangers are a regiment (2000), so they USA special forces command has to be about the same size as the FFL. When you exclude equal size units, you no longer have any claim to "best unit in the world". I would take 7800 men out of the USA special forces command over the FFL any day. And the best RCT of the USMC is better. As it is likely the best Army brigade. And the best brigade size unit of the Russian army is likely as good. As likely is the best RCT/brigade of the Israel army. Or the best Storm trooper brigade of Germany in WW1.
Not sure what logistics they have but my point is they are a separate unit that can and is ment to operate separate from French army. Same way as USMC can operate separate from US Army and is ment to. If you'd compare them to US Army units the problem you get is that these are not ment to operate on their own separate areas but as part of whole Army.
But the problem comparing them is their missions are different, hence their equipment and doctrine is different. It would be like comparing US armored and airborne division, saying armored is better because they have more tanks and more artillery and pack a heavier punch.
To get things straight: today's FFL is not a separate unit, but a branch of the army just like the infantry, cavalry, engineers, etc. It does not operate separately from the rest of the French Army and it's units are spread out all over it as a result*. Their training isn't much, if any, different from that of other units fulfilling the same role either. (so no comparing to Rangers or Special Forces)
Basically, there are only two things differentiating the FFL from the rest of the French Army. First comes the fact that most*** of its members are foreigners. Secondly, it's rich history & special make-up has resulted in an extremely strong esprit de corps where the legionnaires truly consider each other and the legion to be their family****, much more so than in normal army units.
* not counting the training units:
- 1er REC (cavalry, operating wheeled tank destroyers), 2e REI (infantry) & 1er REG (engineers) are part of the 6th Light Armoured Brigade, a rapid reaction unit that also contains a marine** infantry regiment and a marine artillery regiment.
- 2e REG is the engineer regiment of the 27th Mountain infantry Brigade
- 2e REP is one of four infantry regiments of the 11th Parachute Brigade
- 3e REI is the French Army's presence in French Guyana
- 13e DBLE (demi-brigade, basically a regiment) is the main force in Djibouti.
- Finally, there is a detachment on Mayotte in the Indian Ocean.
** The French Troupes de Marine are part of the army.
*** IIRC up to 30% of the legionnaires are actually Frenchmen.
**** The fact that most members do not have any real family in France and aren't even Frenchmen obviously helps in developing that attitude...