Foo - Does the French embassy read letters?

If you may recall, a month or so ago I got a letter from the French embassy saying that I am required to go to Boston and register for the French draft. My parents sent a letter (signed by me), saying that I will not attend. That I live in this country, and have never collected a penny of socialist benefits nor have I reaped any benefits of French citizenship.

I just got a letter saying "THe French government attests that I am all set and registered for the draft until I am 25 years of age".
Do they read letters? We wrote it in French. I think they assumed that since they got an envelope addressed from me, that I said yes I accept.

Sacre blue!

Isn't joining a foreign army seen as treason in the US? Oops!

If you may recall, a month or so ago I got a letter from the French embassy saying that I am required to go to Boston and register for the French draft. My parents sent a letter (signed by me), saying that I will not attend. That I live in this country, and have never collected a penny of socialist benefits nor have I reaped any benefits of French citizenship.

I just got a letter saying "THe French government attests that I am all set and registered for the draft until I am 25 years of age".
Do they read letters? We wrote it in French. I think they assumed that since they got an envelope addressed from me, that I said yes I accept.


The French have an army???? What for? ;)

Isn't joining a foreign army seen as treason in the US? Oops!
I didn't join the army, apparently I am registed for another army's draft.

I don't think you have to worry about anything.

It's French.

how bizarre!

maybe that's not even what the french letter said, maybe they are telling you of the sale going on at Old Navy

what are they gonna do, invade NH to get ya?

how bizarre!
Brother Pele's in the back, sweet Zina's in the front
Cruisin' down the freeway in the hot, hot sun
Suddenly red-blue lights flash us from behind
Loud voice booming, "Please step out onto the line"
Pele preaches words of comfort, Zina just hides her eyes
Policeman taps his shades, "Is that a Chevy '69?"

How bizarre
How bizarre, how bizarre

Just find the nearest US Military installation to your house, report there and surrender. That should fulfill your obligation to the French.

Just don't go to France til you're 26.

Welp guess you're in the draft then.

Just find the nearest US Military installation to your house, report there and surrender. That should fulfill your obligation to the French.
I loled.

Sounds like plain old bueaucratic crapola. If you travel on an American Passport and avoid France and its possessions then why worry. They have registered you for their draft, so what? Can they come get you? NO!

Since they were so kind to register you you saved money on the trip to Boston. Just play along. What can they really do? Oh! I would not go into their embassy. What if they seize you as a French Citizen? Probably would not happen but who knows. You'd be shipped back to France and made to serve or be jailed!:eek:

Just find the nearest US Military installation to your house, report there and surrender. That should fulfill your obligation to the French.


+1

The Legion and the Paras are pretty good......

Did you send your letter registered? Perhaps you need to contact the State Department for advice on this situation. You may just have to renounce French citizenship.

Did you send your letter registered? Perhaps you need to contact the State Department for advice on this situation. You may just have to renounce French citizenship.
so you are saying I was right?

I say you go. Seriously. Report to Boston and explain your situation. If they force you to participate in the draft, sue them and use the money for college. :)

Just let them draft you. I hear they serve wine and cheese at every meal and you don't have to shower for the whole time you serve.

French battle flag...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/images/40176000/jpg/_40176955_flag_300_ap.jpg

Seems to me your mistake was responding to their letter in the first place. You verified your existence and address, and they then were able to register you for the draft because you had confirmed you were out there. It's not like they were offering you a choice to opt out.

Seems to me your mistake was responding to their letter in the first place. You verified your existence and address, and they then were able to register you for the draft because you had confirmed you were out there. It's not like they were giving you a choice, they were just checking up on your existence.

i think that's likely the case.

similar to spam emails.

You sent it in French, perhaps they don't understand French? :rolleyes:

If you are a French citizen, you are obligated to register for the French military draft just as USA citizens living overseas are required to do the same. If you are a USA citizen and received draft registration instructions, that is interesting, indeed and worthy of bringing to the bars as a conversation piece.

Again, however, if you are a French citizen, the embassy is correct that you are obligated to register no matter where you live in the world. In case you don't know, you are also supposed to file taxes with the French government as well even though you live and work in the USA.

Bon bon.

this is going to be one hell of a dilemma for you when we invade france.

France has oil?

Ever eat the food...........

Just don't go to France til you're 26.

He would still be charged for draft dodging if it doesn't get cleared.

i think that's likely the case.

similar to spam emails.


Yeah- they were just phishing and you got hooked.

maybe that's not even what the french letter said, maybe they are telling you of the sale going on at Old Navy


:roflmao: :roflmao: :roflmao:

Well, this is the last thing I expected to hear from pc2! Shouldn't you be asking us about flux capacitors and stuff...?

... My parents sent a letter (signed by me), saying that I will not attend. That I live in this country, and have never collected a penny of socialist benefits nor have I reaped any benefits of French citizenship. ...

To the contrary. One of the benefits of French citizenship is that you aren't obligated to someone else's army. I.E. an 18 year old US citizen would have to register for the US draft, but not France's.

To my understanding both countries have all-volunteer armed forces, so the question is kind of moot.

Although... I think both are involved in Afghanistan, and what with Darfur and all, I guess that could change.

So, yeah, you kind of do enjoy - albeit in an awkward way - a benefit of citizenship.

Just find the nearest US Military installation to your house, report there and surrender. That should fulfill your obligation to the French.

That's too funny!!!

Tell you what, PC... report to me, I'll accept your surrender and send the documentation to the French.

To the contrary. One of the benefits of French citizenship is that you aren't obligated to someone else's army. I.E. an 18 year old US citizen would have to register for the US draft, but not France's.

To my understanding both countries have all-volunteer armed forces, so the question is kind of moot.

Although... I think both are involved in Afghanistan, and what with Darfur and all, I guess that could change.

So, yeah, you kind of do enjoy - albeit in an awkward way - a benefit of citizenship.

I think he said he has dual citizenship, so the US can still require him to register with the Selective Service. So much for that "benefit'.

If you ever in your life go to anywhere in Europe you will be picked up and sent into the Foreign Legion.

Do you like camels?

maybe i should send the french embassy some star stickers & they'll put them all over their bodies & share the pictures on teh internets. nah... nobody in their right mind would do such a thing...

All 18 year-old men in the US are supposed to register for the draft. If you are not registered it can mess up student loans, etc. Registration materials are available at the post office. We have a Selective Service system that could be implemented at short notice. I know, I am on my county's draft board. We meet annually for training. The current administration is unlikely to implement a draft because they find draftees intractible. The current contingency plan is for a 20 year-old male draft. One would report for a physical first and apply for CO or ministerial exemptions after passing the exam. Estimates are for a one month lag between implementation and basic training.

what are they gonna do? throw croissant's at you?

Do you want to retain your French citizenship? If yes, then you are registered. I would not worry about it too much. The US is more likely to draft you anyway.

At 18 it's your choice. Don't want to be multi national then declare your allegiance and be done with it.

Do you want to retain your French citizenship? If yes, then you are registered. I would not worry about it too much. The US is more likely to draft you anyway.

there is no draft here...

there is an inactive draft. It is there in case of a sudden national need. Just look about a post office for the Selective Service forms.

:roflmao: :roflmao: :roflmao:
:D

I'd think most people in your situation would enjoy multi national status; if possible. Gives one options. You never know. Your French status might allow you to work some of your life in say, Germany? It's all EU. Seems , I heard that France has a situtation similiar to the US. You register for possible training, but unlikely you'd be called.
Wonder how it would go if the world got into a tough situation and both countries wanted your service? Who would get you? Checked out the French embassy web site for you for curiosity. No answers to be found there. Going to an election party tonight for the Assembly, I'll ask around.

I'd think most people in your situation would enjoy multi national status; if possible. Gives one options. You never know. Your French status might allow you to work some of your life in say, Germany? It's all EU. Seems , I heard that France has a situtation similiar to the US. You register for possible training, but unlikely you'd be called.
Wonder how it would go if the world got into a tough situation and both countries wanted your service? Who would get you? Checked out the French embassy web site for you for curiosity. No answers to be found there. Going to an election party tonight for the Assembly, I'll ask around.

Actually, I'd love to have dual citizenship like that. I had been interested in living overseas for an extended period, but unfortunately it is tough for Americans to get legal work permits in the EU. I know some people get by while working under the table (fortunately just a figure of speech :p ), but I wanted something more secure than that.

Actually, I'd love to have dual citizenship like that. I had been interested in living overseas for an extended period, but unfortunately it is tough for Americans to get legal work permits in the EU. I know some people get by while working under the table (fortunately just a figure of speech :p ), but I wanted something more secure than that.


Marry a European.

I assume that the French have done away with compulsory military service so being registered for their draft would only be an issue if they went to war.

A friend of mine renounced his Italian citizenship as he was called up for 2 years service when it was compulsory for all Italian men. Italian men are still expected to be drafted in times of war.

If you may recall, a month or so ago I got a letter from the French embassy saying that I am required to go to Boston and register for the French draft. My parents sent a letter (signed by me), saying that I will not attend. That I live in this country, and have never collected a penny of socialist benefits nor have I reaped any benefits of French citizenship.

I just got a letter saying "THe French government attests that I am all set and registered for the draft until I am 25 years of age".
Do they read letters? We wrote it in French. I think they assumed that since they got an envelope addressed from me, that I said yes I accept.
Are you a French citizen? If so you can either renounce your French citizenship, or be governed by the rules that French citizens are governed by. You can't have it both ways.

Well, I sent that letter to them anticipating some reply. Maybe an ultimatum like renounce citizenship or register.