US military considering enlisting foreing recruits?

[dazzer]

I'm not an expert on this but the recent story by the
Boston Globe (I hear it is a Guardian type paper)
states that the Bush goverment might increase troop levels
by recuiting GIs from abroad.

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/w.../26/military_considers_recruiting_foreigners/

To any Americans/or anyone who knows about this kind of thing.

Do you think this will happen within the next year? And what kind of reaction would such a draft get in the states?

I remember reading that Filipino nationals could join the US navy. If this law was to come about who would be able to join? I'm sure there would be barriers for anyone coming from Syria/Iran/Iraq or similar countries.

I haveno prior thoughts on this as I have little knowledge about how the US military recruits its soldiers so I don't have a slanted view. Any
light being shed would be great though! Cheers!

 

[civvygit]

Come on spell check before you post!
It's really annoying

 

[dazzer]

Come on spell check before you post!
It's really annoying

I did it so I could keep you awake!

 

[civvygit]

Fair one, tell me what you think you got wrong?

 

[dazzer]

Fair one, tell me what you think you got wrong?

Well You can see I made an arrse of myself with the title but
you know, nothing I can do about it now and it is one of those
things that are sent to test us! I'm looking forward to some interesting
anwsers from it, how about you?

 

[expat]

It is my understanding that as long as you can work legally in the US you can join the US armed forces - obviously there are some jobs you cannot do. If you do a combat tour you automatically get citizenship.

 

[civvygit]

It's not a new idea the French have been doing it for a long time. They had the decency to call it the Foreign Legion.

 

[dazzer]

From what I have read though. They are thinking of
recruiting 'non-resident' non citizens. Foreigners can join
as long as they are legal in the states but they have to be first
legal.

The French do it and we do it with our Commonwealth troops
serving within the British army. Does anyone think this will be
reality within the US military?

 

[antphilip]

I believe you have to be a citizen to be an officer though correct?

 

[sandmanfez]

The US have been served well by Puerto Rican soldiers, and its a very short cultural hop from San Juan to Manila. With the current high level of unemployment in the Philippines, I doubt uncle Sam would have any difficulty attracting volunteers.

 

[Devil_Dog]

Actually there is news afoot that illegal immigrants will be extended certain rights if they sign up and do a 4 year contract honourably.

Only caveat is, they must not be felons and they cannot serve in the officer corps or hold jobs that require a security clearence. Plus they must be able to speak English.

 

[dazzer]

Actually there is news afoot that illegal immigrants will be extended certain rights if they sign up and do a 4 year contract honourably.

Only caveat is, they must not be felons and they cannot serve in the officer corps or hold jobs that require a security clearence. Plus they must be able to speak English.

Nice one Devil_Dog, You don't have any news links or will this be announced soon?

 

[sandmanfez]

Actually there is news afoot that illegal immigrants will be extended certain rights if they sign up and do a 4 year contract honourably.

Its good to see some sensible joined-up thinking for a change. Hispanic troops have all the cojones you could ask for, I'm sure they would distinguish themselves in very short order.

 

[tomahawk6]

Existing law allow corporations to sponsor employees for a green card. During Vietnam the US allowed foreigners to enlist in the Army. By the way PR is a territory of the US just as Guam is. At present foreign born soldiers who apply for citizenship are fast tracked which means 4 years to become a citizen.

 

[Random_Task]

It is my understanding that as long as you can work legally in the US you can join the US armed forces - obviously there are some jobs you cannot do. If you do a combat tour you automatically get citizenship.

I've heard that prior military experience can rule you out in the Air Force National Guard/ Navy reserve.

I am happy to be corrected by our resident cousins on this board.

 

[Chief_Joseph]

Foreign troops have already been joining the Army for a LONG time. Michael Yon wrote an interesting story about this phenomenon

http://michaelyon-online.com/wp/welcome-aboard.htm

 

[Devil_Dog]

Actually there is news afoot that illegal immigrants will be extended certain rights if they sign up and do a 4 year contract honourably.

Only caveat is, they must not be felons and they cannot serve in the officer corps or hold jobs that require a security clearence. Plus they must be able to speak English.

Nice one Devil_Dog, You don't have any news links or will this be announced soon?

Nope I don't. But if you look at current law, service in the military in a combat zone (OIF or Enduring Freedom) qualifies an illegal immigrant for legal status.

Section 329, INA

This section applies to members of the U.S. Armed Forces who currently serve or have served in active-duty status during authorized periods of conflict as outlined in the INA (WWI; September 1, 1939-December 31, 1946; June 25, 1950-July1, 1955; and February 28, 1961-October 5, 197 or any additional period designated by the President in an Executive Order.*

* Recently, the President signed an Executive Order identifying September 11, 2001 and after as an authorized period of conflict.

Have you served honorably in the U.S. Armed Forces during an authorized period of conflict?
After enlistment, were you lawfully admitted as a permanent resident of the United States, OR at the time of enlistment, reenlistment, or induction were you physically present in the United States or qualifying territory?

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/us...nnel=d6f4194d3e88d010VgnVCM10000048f3d6a1RCRD

The OR means you don't have to be lawfully admitted into the country. I know personally two dudes who won't have qualified if they had not been in the military and are now legal residents.

 

[Devil_Dog]

Random Task said,

I've heard that prior military experience can rule you out in the Air Force National Guard/ Navy reserve.

I am happy to be corrected by our resident cousins on this board

I'm not too sure about this although I know for a fact that prior service in the USMC means you don't have to go to boot camp again if you are changing service. As a matter of fact, in most cases they might even bump you one rank up if you change services especially from the Corps to the Army or the Navy.

The USAF are quite snobbish though. They require higher academic standards for most jobs and have been known to turn down people the Army and the USMC would die for.

Case in point.

 

[Random_Task]

Random Task said,

I've heard that prior military experience can rule you out in the Air Force National Guard/ Navy reserve.

I am happy to be corrected by our resident cousins on this board

I'm not too sure about this although I know for a fact that prior service in the USMC means you don't have to go to boot camp again if you are changing service. As a matter of fact, in most cases they might even bump you one rank up if you change services especially from the Corps to the Army or the Navy.

The USAF are quite snobbish though. They require higher academic standards for most jobs and have been known to turn down people the Army and the USMC would die for.

Case in point.

Just to clarify, I meant foreign military experience. Sorry for any confusion!

 

[Devil_Dog]