A Marine Corps Mom Writes to Dear Abby |

French Foreign Legion

Yes, I read Dear Abby. My motto: collect intelligence wherever it appears. Got questions about what kind of gift to give at a baby ~~bath~~ shower? Abby’s your girl, woman, elder lady of certain genteel distinction.

Wonder what to tell your son who wants to join the French Foreign Legion after leaving the Marine Corps?

DEAR ABBY: My son is 24 and was honorably discharged as a corporal after a four-year enlistment in the U.S. Marine Corps. He was deployed twice to Iraq. Since his return he has been attending community college, but he lacks the focus and is bored. He has recently announced that he would like to return to the military.

FFL- March or Die

When he approached the Marine recruiter to re-enlist, he was told he’s ineligible due to tattoos on his arms. After four years of honorable and devoted service, this rejection is insulting. He has announced to family that he will pursue enlistment in the French Foreign Legion next year.

This is very distressing to me, and I’m sick with worry about his well-being. I do not want him to go off to fight in a foreign military. Can you offer any words of wisdom? — WORRIED MOM IN GAINESVILLE, FLA.

DEAR WORRIED MOM: Encourage your son to explore enlistment opportunities with other branches of the U.S. military regarding their tattoo policies. However, while you and I might consider his desire to join the French Foreign Legion to be an extreme overreaction to his rejection by the Marines, as an adult he has a right to make that choice.

FFL, Jungle CEFE

If he goes through with his plan, he may see less action than he would as a member of the U.S. military.

While I can’t make this easier for you as a parent, I do have this advice to offer. Tell your son it would be in his best interest to learn some basic French before he goes.

My suggestion: read Abby too. You’ll glean all sorts of great intel.

28 thoughts on “A Marine Corps Mom Writes to Dear Abby”

Geez, that wasn’t the first thing I thought of when wanting to re-enter the military…the French Foreign Legion…a bit extreme? WoW…he at least ought to consider joining the Navy and try for the SEALs…what are the Navy policies in regard to tattoos? Or even the Army…getting carried away with himself? I started out in the Air Force and went for the gusto – the US Navy… and glad I did by the way….k

NavyOne on July 27, 2012 at 23:28 said:

Good idea about the Navy. . . Write to Abby and tell her!
- Kristen McFarland on July 28, 2012 at 00:00 said:
  
  Sorry, I’m just not an Abby fan…or her sister for that matter…k
  - Kristen McFarland on July 28, 2012 at 00:03 said:
    
    Update on that: Ann Landers was Dear Abby’s twin sister..the former passed away in 2002 and her real name was Eppie Lederer..
    - Coffeypot on July 28, 2012 at 00:21 said:
      
      According to Wikipedia – Dear Abby (Abigail Van Buren) was born Pauline Phillips ( July 4, 1918) is an American advice columnist and radio show host who began the “Dear Abby” column in 1956. Married to Morton Phillips, the couple have two children, a son, Edward Jay Phillips, and a daughter, Jeanne Phillips. Pauline Esther Friedman and her identical twin sister, Esther Pauline Friedman were born in Sioux City, Iowa.

Interesting gouge, guys, on Dear Abby. I know very little about her.

I’m insulted. Clearly this letter should have been referred to the Ask America’s SgtMaj link: http://castrapraetoria1.blogspot.com/2010/01/new-weekly-feature-ask-americas-1stsgt.html

What are they thinking?

NavyOne on July 28, 2012 at 21:18 said:

RGR, I’ll let her know. . .

The Marines have an ANTi-TATS policy??? When did this start?
seems to me I’ve seen plenty of Marines past and present sporting them.

One thing I’m surprised Abby didn’t suggest to Mom is removal. It’s not cheap, but it can be done.

America's SgtMaj on August 1, 2012 at 16:18 said:

Rob, since 2007 there has been a very stringent policy concerning tattoos (MARADMIN – 07). No full sleeve, half sleeve, or quarter sleeve tattoos. Now days if you have a full sleeve tattoo you can’t even enlist.

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Back in the eighties, when I was a weapons controller in the Air Force, we often fantasied about joining the Foreign Legion or starting our own A-team. I hope he goes for it.