Dear Abby: My son is 24 and was honorably discharged as a corporal after a 4-year enlistment in the U.S. Marine Corps. He was twice deployed 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.

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?