Posted on 12/26/2006 10:03:00 AM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
WASHINGTON -- The armed forces, already struggling to meet recruiting goals, are considering expanding the number of noncitizens in the ranks -- including disputed proposals to open recruiting stations overseas and putting more immigrants on a faster track to US citizenship if they volunteer -- according to Pentagon officials.
Foreign citizens serving in the US military is a highly charged issue, which could expose the Pentagon to criticism that it is essentially using mercenaries to defend the country. Other analysts voice concern that a large contingent of noncitizens under arms could jeopardize national security or reflect badly on Americans' willingness to serve in uniform.
The idea of signing up foreigners who are seeking US citizenship is gaining traction as a way to address a critical need for the Pentagon, while fully absorbing some of the roughly one million immigrants that enter the United States legally each year.
The proposal to induct more noncitizens, which is still largely on the drawing board, has to clear a number of hurdles. So far, the Pentagon has been quiet about specifics -- including who would be eligible to join, where the recruiting stations would be, and what the minimum standards might involve, including English proficiency. In the meantime, the Pentagon and immigration authorities have expanded a program that accelerates citizenship for legal residents who volunteer for the military.
(Excerpt) Read more at boston.com ...
Huh?
This is exactly what ancient Romans started to do at certain point of their history.
One word.........Gukhas.
I thought the military was meeting recruiting goals with little problem.
Of course, the Boston Globe is a mite prejudice.
Why don't we just start with some billets first. I would have stayed in past 20 if they had an E8 and E9 billet for me.....
Send all recruiters to Mexico. If all of them are coming here to work and take our benefits, then they need to do their sure of protecting this great nation by serving in the military.
This is how the Roman Empire did it.
The Military is meeting all recruiting goals and Bryan is an idiot.
It beats the hell out of granting citizenship to illegal aliens for successfully avoiding getting picked up while using someone else's social security number.
Stationing it in Gitmo or Guam or other American territory would be the perfect solution then.
Nothing New Here.
Why is this news?
The Philippines supplies hundreds of recruits each year, and have been doing so for decades.
Mexicans are probably next.
Lots of foreigners in the services now. They can apply for citizenship after they get an honorable discharge.
I guess the MSM and the Boston Globe have given up trying to say that the US Military is not meeting their recruiting goals, and decided to attack what they might do.
We had a foreign legion until the First World War. Most Americans until that time considered the regular military Scum or lower. Except in times of National Emergency most Americans considered enlisted service as living among the scum of the earth, Federal Parasites.
I thought the military met it's goals or
had exceeded them.
http://www.military.com/NewContent/0,13190,Defensewatch_012104_Foreign,00.html
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/opinion/109322_legion23.shtml
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1002406/posts
I love it when a silly notion is transformed in to liberal news! The Boston Globe is a master of BS!
Not unheard off... a lot of mercenaries fought on the right side during the War of Independance.
Well it's about time that "undocumented workers" started pulling their weight.
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