A path to citizenship through the Army?
I often wonder about this idea.
In one regard, in a best case sense, it allows a path to citizenship while serving the country.
On the other side, the volunteer Army becomes populated by people who don't really want to be there, undermining effectiveness and morale.
A senior defense official expressed hope today that a provision in the stalled immigration bill that would have allowed some undocumented aliens to join the military won’t fall off the radar screen.
In one regard, in a best case sense, it allows a path to citizenship while serving the country.
On the other side, the volunteer Army becomes populated by people who don't really want to be there, undermining effectiveness and morale.
posted by mikevotes at
8:48 AM
3 Comments:
Didn't the Romans try something like that?
By
Anonymous, at 10:03 AM
"On the other side, the volunteer Army becomes populated by people who don't really want to be there, undermining effectiveness and morale."
You mean, like working class kids who've been led to believe joining the Army or Guard is just an awesome way to pay for college.... or the kids with now real civilian job opportunities who are told they can all be computer technicians and jet mechanics?
OK. Maybe it not a 100% fair comparison (I know, you're shocked) but it seems we already have a "volunteer" army that only works when we offer inducements that have nothing to do with serving one's country.
By
-epm, at 10:15 AM
Anon, yeah. Although I wouldn't expect a Mexican, El Salvadoran auxilla to turn their weapons on the American legions.
EPM, yes, sort of. Yes, there are coercive factors making the volunteering perhaps a bit less volunteer, but at the same time, they do in the end sign up.
We can talk about the broader social issue, but the fact that they sign up to make money, build themselves, improve their lives does make them effective soldiers.
By
mikevotes, at 11:13 AM
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