American Foreign Legion part 2

[Pekka]

Okay, DinoDoc already had this thread some time ago, but we couldn't find it.
It was pretty much based on http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion...5/ncguest1.htm story.

For lazy people, it is about getting same kind of foreign legion like the french have.
I don't think this is a good idea.

But I think it would be a great idea to let foreign people to join the US army more easy. Now it requires green card (which they won't help getting) and all that stuff.
How about if we just let young males from safer countries come in, train them, make contract and send them fight those terrorists? These foreigners (like me) already have military backround,so they can be valuable asset. It would be cheap way to get lots of more soldiers fighting for the US, as it wouldn't have to pay salary for them, just basic up keep and maybe pocket money for daily expenses, grant citizenship after service is over and it was done with honor, plus educational benefits, like sponsoring for college tuitions etc.

This would not attract hardcore mercenaries, since they wouldn't get paid, and they'd have binding contract.

There are already millions of illegal aliens in the US, more crossing the borders every day. So why not get some decent folks too. They risk their life for the country and protect its citizens, cheap, good quality.
They would be integral part of the US army after few years of testing the troops and seeing how it could work the best.

Also, the risk of terrorists coming in is not that big, certainly not bigger than it already is. Free cannon fodder, how can you say no?

[Pekka]

Also these foreign soldiers would not be just bunch of foreign soldiers, they would have the same basic training etc so they can work too, but their previous experience is still a benefit. They would have to be able to speak english, and maybe some other requirements too.

After service, these people would have free tuition in schools, so they would become citizens with a degree and bright future, becoming future tax payers and loyal Americans.

edit: also to join the terrorists is pretty easy. Just have to go there and volunteer. Every soldier lost to their side is there to kill us. If we could get them come to our side, it would be one life saved, and another soldier for us.
Good for the economy too.

[Jon Miller]

I am in favor of it

of course, I am always in favor of immegration

Jon Miller

[Jon Miller]

I would not make it completely free, I would make it so it took time before you became a full citizen

Jon Miller

[Pekka]

Of course it would not be a walk in the park. It wouldn't be a summer in the army type of service .

Maybe 2 years if stationed in foreign country and combat 3 years if stationed in foreign country without combat or 6 years if just staying in the US and not doing combat.
Something like that. I think it's essential to try to make these people to get a degree, so they won't just become alcoholics. Maybe something like you'd have to get a degree, or you won't get welfare benefits or whatever.

Also these people would have to give their passports and they wouldn't be getting them back, only after full service. If soldier becomes unwanted or not good, kick him back where he came from, or make him do laundry service for the army for the rest of his time. No free loaders, only fighters and decent folks.
Also some school etc for requirements, so it would not attract only poor people from poor countries to do it for the food. Sounds harsh, but I don't think it would work anymore, also only from safe countries first, from buddy countries. If they have gone through service there, they are pretty much reliable, they have been checked there too, so they're quite safe bet. These people are also motivated like hell, because they're not in it for the money, but fighting or citizenship and degree whatever.
If the fail at any point of the service to be loyal and good, kick them out, simple as that. Should be a good motivator. Also if they die in combat, well who's going to complain and share tears in the press.
These are not hooligans and killers, but motivated people with decent backround (coming from buddy country) who just want to join the war and fight the common enemy, who have been let down by their ***** country. That's very American, I think.

[Pekka]

Or maybe even a model like this: 2 years of service, doesn't matter where. After that mandatory 4 years of college. After that if everything goes well, welcome, here's your citizenship. Otherwise go home commie/too stupid to learn/too scared to fight.
Or 6 years of service. This way they'd fight for 2 years at least and have a degree and promising future as tax payers. If they dont want to go to college, or are unable to do it for various of reasons, then they could just stay in the army. Either way, it's still reasonably cheap.

[Pekka]

Aaaagh this thread is dropping.. write to your congressmen and demand this! Everyone call too, make letters etc!

[Kramerman]

very interesting article.

Im about convinced now that it wouldn't be a bad idea. I'll see about writing a letter this weekend. I dunno how much pull it would have, or even if it'll be read, but the idea is worth a shot.

[Pekka]

I'll be writing one too, to Rumsfeld. I'll bet he doesn't have the time to read it, but I need to try.

However I think the French model is not good for the US, little modifications and it's good though.

[DinoDoc]

Bumping for Pekka.

[Pekka]

DinoDoc, thanks, now come on people, let me hear your thoughts on this one. American thoughts are of course the most important, but others are welcomed too.

The topic is not correct with my idea though. It should be something like Foreigners as American soldiers. Or something like that. Because they don't fight for the legion, they fight for America, not for their old country.

So give us your opinions, the pros and the cons and let's debate on it.
I think this subject is too big to be ignored in the US.

[Az]

I am not a canadian so I can't answer, Pekka.

btw, ONCE AGAIN, what about the FFL? they're operating on the border with Somalia, mind you.

[Pekka]

Sure you can answer, just say what you think of this idea in general!
If no one says anything, it says that no one is interested.. so it's better to say just 'yeah, good idea!' than nothing.

FFL is.. aagh . I think it's not for me. Once again, I'd have to make 5 years minimum contract, learn french and it's customs (not that they're bad, but adds to burden), live like french, and big chances for no action, just cleaning the barracks. Money is not good, so there's nothing to motivate, except action, but it's unlikely. And it's binding contract naturally.. so.. there's no rewards.
It'd be different, if it was in english language and normal habits, but I could stick my head to something that I can't get out of for 5 years of my life, only to see what it's like to clean and make food, and speak french. Peace keeping at max. And that doesn't give me any credits for my future, if I come back to Finland, I'd have to hide the fact that I went there. Everything is so uncertain if you enter those gates, nothing is for sure. Most likely I'll end up with no money in bank account, just memories of life in barracks and few buddies.

[Pekka]

Azazel, but it's not completely out of my plans just yet.. if it's the only one and I can't get anything else going on soon, then maybe. It's better than merc business for me at least. I have read lots about this, and mostly every Finn I've read from, have regretted they ever went there because it was boring, and they thought it was quite backwards

edit: this is a good choice for people who can't make any money in their country because it's poor and all.. don't get any food and so. Or people who want to get french citizenship, now it's a good deal for them. But for a male who is from western country, looking for action, it's not a good choice maybe.

[Jaakko]

Why do you want to see combat?

But whatever you do, don't ever become a merc. Those people are the lowest scum on the earth.