[Vigilanteman]

I actually know a couple of guys born in Japan and Korea who earned their "path to citizenship" by serving in Vietnam. They didn't even live in America at the time, so couldn't have had green cards. I don't know if this program is still around or not, but it wasn't uncommon back in the 1960's and early 1970's.

A prohibition on illegal aliens serving would make sense in the context that the military prohibits law breakers from serving. But if they were to return to Mexico and apply, I would think they'd have the same eligibililty as my Korean and Japanese friends who served in Nam.

[kabar]

I served in Vietnam as well. During wartime some exceptions have been made, especially when recruiting special skills abroad. However, today/currently, there is no program allowing illegal aliens to join the US military. I get so damn mad when I hear the Leftists using the approximately 35,000 legal immigrants serving currently as examples why illegal aliens should be put on a path to citizenship. The inference is that we already have illegal aliens serving. That is simply not the case.

A prohibition on illegal aliens serving would make sense in the context that the military prohibits law breakers from serving. But if they were to return to Mexico and apply, I would think they'd have the same eligibililty as my Korean and Japanese friends who served in Nam.

Go to any of the services websites and take a look at the qualifications to serve in the US military. Here is the Navy's.

Citizenship: You must be a U.S. citizen or, if you’re a non-citizen, you may join the Navy if you entered the United States on a permanent residence visa or have an Alien Registration Green Card and have 1) established a bona fide residence, and 2) established a home of record in the United States.

The above is for enlisted personnel. To be an officer you must be a US citizen. Security clearances can be a problem if you are a foreigner. It limits what one can do.

The bottom line is that illegal aliens cannot join the US military.