A NEW “LODGE ACT” FOR THE U.S. ARMY – A STRATEGIC TOOL FOR THE GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM

National Defense University ^ | 2004 | MR. CHARLES K. DALGLEISH, DAF

[Sangey]

A NEW “LODGE ACT” FOR THE U.S. ARMY – A STRATEGIC TOOL FOR THE GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM

. . . This paper proposes new legislation that would authorize the U.S. Army to recruit overseas from critical strategic areas in the Middle East, Central Asia, and Southeast Asia. Based on this bill, the U.S. Army would conduct a program to recruit, screen, assess, select, train, and deploy these non-citizens as soldiers. . . This paper discusses how a new Lodge Act would be an effective strategic tool in the GWOT. New Lodge Act soldiers would be useful in combat operations, especially low intensity conflict (LIC), and the stabilization operations that often follow in their wake. The proposal laid out in this paper calls for recruiting a maximum of 5,000 unmarried male aliens between the ages of 18 and 30 over a period of 10 years at a yearly maximum rate of 500 men. In return for five years of honorable service, the new Lodge Act soldiers would be granted permanent residency and be eligible for U.S. citizenship. Beginning with the reasons why a new Lodge Act is required, the paper discusses the background of the original Lodge Act as well as other historical and current examples of similar programs in the United States and foreign militaries. This paper covers the scope and goals of the new Lodge Act and the process for recruitment, assessment, screening, selection, and training of new Lodge Act soldiers. The paper also addresses significant limitations and constraints on the program.

[Sangey]

I had to cut some stuff out of the quote. I think this is a good idea if we can check the incoming people properly.

Buddha Bless the USA

[Dahoser]

Middle East? Haven't we had enough problems with Muslim soldiers?

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

Rome was very successful at doing this!

[Sangey]

There is a difference between those who come here to be a part of this country and those who do not. When in the USArmy I saw a lot of people who were under the old Lodge Act. Mostly Europeans, but I also saw some KATUSA and they were ok.

These people have unique knowledge and skills that US Army can use on the ground. By coming in and being US Military they earn their citizenship they are invested in the US and will be good citizens. Consider how many native born US Citizens will not serve. Think of liberal college students who are 'too educated' to serve.

My big concern is how do we check out these new soldiers to see if they can be trusted?

[Recon Dad]

I'll take 5,000 Gurkhas, who's better!

[RightWhale]

Rome gave out land, but not in Rome.

[Hypervigilant]

Ask them to eat a BBQ pork sandwich, as they step on the koran with dirty shoes.

[Hypervigilant]

Whoops, meant to address to dahoser. Sorry sangey.

[gregwest]

Seems to me that it was one of the defining characteristics of their decline and fall. When young Americans are unwilling to serve their country and we have to outsource our defense, that's not a good sign.

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

You nailed it!

[Donald Rumsfeld Fan]

Rome was very successful at doing this!

Indeed they were.

It was key to the Roman Empire.

[Donald Rumsfeld Fan]

[Lessismore]

A globalized Department of Defense is a logical step in the overall plan for globalization of the US government.

[Sangey]

I found this paper when searching about the Lodge Act. The problem I have with it is how do we tell if the new people are trustworthy or not. I found when I was in the Army that there were a big number of foreign nationals (I was at the time here on a green card) and that we were made welcome in the Army and in the USA because we were trying to become citizens and we were trying to prove ourselves. I knew some senior NCO's who were Lodge Act veterans and they helped us adapt. As I got to be a senior NCO myself, I retuned the favor to other new soldiers. The old Lodge Act veterans were mostly Germans and some Eastern Europeans. "My generation" were KATUSA who went RA, Asians and South Asians (like me) and some others. The ones I saw come in later were SE Asians and S/Central Americans. I hear that now there are some SW Asians.

I feel bad because the trust that I benefitted so much I feel cannot be extended to these SW Asians. At the same time, there was no state of war between India and the USA.

In a time like now when so many native born Americans will not fight for the USA, is it wrong to want to have people who love this country enough to leave their homelands to come here and fight for it? Or is GREGWEST right? Can we trust these Arabs?

I feel somewhat hypocritical because when I wanted a chance to become stay and become US citizen the Army gave me a shot. I have always been very grateful for that. I made the Army my home for a long time and it always treated me fair. Now I worry about extending that same trust to this new generation.

What do you think?

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

It was the key to the downfall of the Roman Empire.

[Donald Rumsfeld Fan]

It was the key to the downfall of the Roman Empire.

It was key to the rise of the empire. Especially post Caesar. The first two centuries AD were the most dynamic period of the empire. Without the integration of the "barbarians" in the outer provinces, e.g. Gaul, empire would have been impossible. IMO.

I would agree that empire has it's costs. It is probably not sustainable in the long run. Due in large part to what you asserted.

Contrary to what many believe, the Roman Empire saw it's best days after they shed the chaotic and corrupt Republic and embraced the reign of the emperors.