He was homeschooled by mama...but didn't get his GED until he was 20.
There was plenty known about Afghanistan, the people and the troops by the time he joined.
I'd go back to when he tried to sign up for the Foreign Legion (Who does that?)
Then see if there are any comments when he did sign up. You just have to track him. He's another Richard ??? (forgot).
RE: I’d go back to when he tried to sign up for the Foreign Legion (Who does that?)
Which one? There are quite a number of foreign legions in the world.
The most famous one is French.
Most of those who sign up want to become French Citizens after their service.