Aaron - Canada

Back in the 60's I remember being given a piece of paper asking me to mark three preferences for an overseas posting.  I put down Hong Kong, Singapore and Gibraltar, ah... the days of the British empire!  Well I guess the military has a sense of humour and I got posted to Aden in South Yemen. Someone once said that if the world ever needed an enema, that's where they'd stick the tube!  Well if Aden was tough, then Djibouti, about 100 miles away across the Red Sea, is a damn sight tougher! Hell of a posting! Bravo Zulu to13e DBLE (la Légion Étrangère) who serve and train there. I sometimes met members of L.E. from Djibouti and they impressed me very much.

In 62 my buddy joined the L.E. at the same time I signed up with the British Forces and I don't think it was for the two reasons Josh suggests.  C--- was a smart, level-headed guy who had made up his mind that he was going to be a professional soldier and the last I heard of him he was getting close the retirement.  I do not think that many (if any) civilians would understand his choice, I knew him and I guess I've been around the block once or twice myself and I believe he made a good choice.

When a man joins La Legion Entrangere, whatever his motives, he is reshaped into something honourable and your son had a head-start, his motives were wholesome.  142 nationalities go into training at the 'Farm,' but emerge as part of ONE family and therein lays a hope for the future.
This poor old world is factionalised by religion, culture and sometimes just because you live on the wrong side of the mountain and it's sometimes up to the professional man at arms to act as a peace maker and keeper.  The Legion has all the nationalities of the world acting as one... that's something to think about.
I served in Aden with a certain unit which interacted with the Radfani tribes and at that age, in my 20's, I learned a great deal very quickly. 

You have to be yourself because no-one else is qualified.  If it was 1962 again, I would apply for the L.E.  No explanation - none needed.

You have a good son sir.

Aaron, somewhere in Canada .