• commentary
  • FRIDAY DECEMBER 29 2006 9:00 PM

Military Ponders Offering Citizenship in Exchange for Service

Submitted by legionnaire

Edited by Rahodeb

Tags: Miliatry, citizenship, service, immigrants, Iraq

In a move that would undoubtedly make some Robert Heinlein fans happy, the US military is considering the idea of either directly offering US citizenship to foreign nationals in exchange for serving, or considerably expediting the process in order to boost numbers.

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.


Granted, the military is in a tough place right now. With troops more spread out than they've ever been before, and talk of increased troops in Iraq becoming more serious (despite significant opposition to the idea) these people are going to have to come from somewhere. Recruitment is down (can you blame people for not wanting to buy an express ticket to Baghdad?) and as a result, so are standards. The smaller, sleeker, better trained military that was the goal of the late 1990s and early 2000s appears to be falling by the wayside as technology and training can only make up for so much before more warm bodies are needed on the ground. So if Americans aren't volunteering in sufficient numbers and reinstating a draft is meeting some stiff opposition, how else is the military going to get the soldiers it needs?

Granted, if Bush had been as effective an international coalition-builder as his father was in the first gulf war this probably wouldn't be a concern. But the number of non-US troops in Iraq is small and declining when compared with the significant forces the US is maintaining there, which doesn't leave many for other military operations around the world. Hence the need for more troops.

There are currently non-US citizens serving in the US armed forces, and this certainly wouldn't be the first time in history that a push was made to recruit more of them. However, the technical expertise required to be an effective soldier in 2007 is significantly more than what was needed in 1862, not to mention the language proficiency that is required to learn how to use the new technology. Would poorly trained troops who can't communicate effectively with their superior officers really be that much of a help to the military just by virtue of their being there?

  • PERMALINK
  • PRINT
  • Digg This
  • Email To A Friend
 

Previous

PAGE: 

1 | 2 | 3 | 4

Next

Comments
Mav06

Mav06

I'm lost
September 2006

DEC 29, 2006 09:15 PM

there are quite a few issues . . . I second the language barrier one. English is a bitch to learn, and communication is KEY for effective tactical units. BUT. I'm all for the idea - best way I've heard recently to get more soldiers. It sure beats the Army lowering ASVAB scores yet again. Who would you rather an idiot or a non-citizen defend you?

Oh wait. Non-US citizens already serve in the military in great numbers. Doesn't look like we have anything to lose here from that end.

and yeah, I am one of those Heinlein fans. But that's another story/debate.

baudot

baudot

Oakland, CA
February 2004

DEC 29, 2006 09:16 PM

Citizenship for military service goes back at least as far as the Roman empire. It's still practiced in the 1st World to this day: A 25 year tour of duty in the French Foreign Legion earns one French citizenship.

SPANKY84

SPANKY84

Killeen, TX
November 2004

DEC 29, 2006 09:16 PM

I'm for it, I've met and served with alot of great non citizens.

troublekicker

troublekicker

I'm lost
March 2006

DEC 29, 2006 09:19 PM

And we get closer and closer to the fall of Rome. Can Tetrarchs be far behind?

Schmelectra

Schmelectra

I'm lost
February 2006

DEC 29, 2006 09:24 PM

i had a friend a few years back who was from peru, and he said that his brother (who was still in peru) had been offered this. Fernando said that the us army was offering lots of young men in his country this option. That was about 4 years ago...

MschfMayhemSoap

MschfMayhemSoap

Phoenix, AZ
April 2006

DEC 29, 2006 09:29 PM

isnt this the perfect Idea for illegal immigrants? I mean.... if you want bomb disposal done cheap... who else do you get to do it...

*edited to add* I use Bomb Disposal as one of those jobs Americans wouldnt do unless they were getting PAID!..... tongue

Davegeek

davegeek

Trail, BC
December 2005

DEC 29, 2006 09:30 PM

troublekicker said:
And we get closer and closer to the fall of Rome. Can Tetrarchs be far behind?



Whatever man, the Roman Empire was totally different from America.

The Roman Empire started out as a democratic republic which saw power get grabbed away from the elected representatives. Also it went around the known world establishing hegemonies and establishing puppet client states after it overthrew the extant regimes. Furthermore it felt forced into it's expansionist politiics by an economy based on excess and unbridled consumption of resources. And it then felt forced into granting citizenship to foreign mercenaries in order to maintain its military presence.

Totally different from America. wink

darwinsjoke

darwinsjoke

Virginia Beach, VA
July 2003

DEC 29, 2006 10:09 PM

Just remember that the first combat fatality in Operation Iraqi Liberation came to this country illegally when he was a 12 year old orphan.

Valeyard

Valeyard

Shreveport, LA
January 2005

DEC 29, 2006 10:26 PM

I serve with quite a few former non-citizens, and they're a pretty good bunch. They've got a hell of a work ethic, and language isn't that much of a problem, especially with the kick ass language school that's available if needed. As for Heinlein, I'd personally like it if everyone had to serve a term in the military to retain citizenship...just like Heinlein suggested. Of course that idea probably isn't too popular biggrin -- and I suppose if I wasn't Airforce I'd hate to be in the military! Personal situation always determines your viewpoint...

private_grave

private_grave

Belgium
April 2005

DEC 29, 2006 10:56 PM

Caeruleus_A said:
I'd personally like it if everyone had to serve a term in the military to retain citizenship...just like Heinlein suggested. Of course that idea probably isn't too popular



I was waiting for this to be said.
In an ideal situation this would work. I've met some one from a country that does this - I think he said Denmark, but I might be wrong -and he said they are all fucked up because very few people stay more than one or two years. I don't think it would work in the U.S. though because alot of people might think the government would be trying to take away our "freedoms".

YUSUF

YUSUF

Detroit, MI
November 2006

DEC 29, 2006 11:14 PM

that would be fascist to force everyone into the Military. What is it about "Free Country" that some people don't understand? FREE COUNTRY. I myself have volunteered for service and preferred it that way...

...mandatory community service, however, is something that I can accept. At least that way a person is able to choose what they want to do.

Dragonflye

Dragonflye

Australia
January 2005

DEC 29, 2006 11:41 PM

weird how so many people instantly assume non americans dont speak english as a first language........

Callahan

Callahan

Seattle, WA
February 2005

DEC 29, 2006 11:54 PM

Just remember that large numbers of immigrants signed up for the union army as soon as they stepped off the boat and served this country against the confederacy in the Civil war.
And of course the French have their foriegn legion.

KushielsScion

KushielsScion

Gardendale, AL
May 2004

DEC 30, 2006 12:22 AM

This could work. I've talked about it myself with some of my friends. I think most people like this idea.

Yuriel

Yuriel

I'm lost
January 2004

DEC 30, 2006 12:31 AM

Caeruleus_A said:
I serve with quite a few former non-citizens, and they're a pretty good bunch. They've got a hell of a work ethic, and language isn't that much of a problem, especially with the kick ass language school that's available if needed. As for Heinlein, I'd personally like it if everyone had to serve a term in the military to retain citizenship...just like Heinlein suggested. Of course that idea probably isn't too popular biggrin -- and I suppose if I wasn't Airforce I'd hate to be in the military! Personal situation always determines your viewpoint...



Including epileptics, the mentally infirmed, the disabled etc?

Or do they suddenly just become the garbage you throw into jail/execute/see rotting along the street side.

Although... I see entirely no problem with service for citizenship. Shit. If youre willing to take a damned bullet, you deserve it (and the guy above is right. Linguistics schools...)

Also apparently in Peru they're taught english from Grade 1.

just fyi. Most places probably speak english pretty well if they have a remotely secure education system.

EL SUICIDO LOCO

Previous

PAGE: 

1 | 2 | 3 | 4

Next

featured interviews