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A lot has been said about allowing illegal immigrants to serve in the military. My question to RP is, do you think that the US could benefit from establishing a foreign legion, as opposed to simply allowing immigrants into one of the current branches. It could be used as a method for earning legal status in this great nation of ours; complete 4 years of honorable service on a special visa and be granted permanent residency, or some similar process.
I realize that a US Foreign Legion would not be able to function in any occupations that require a security clearance. But I would imagine it working with all officers being US Citizens and an initial amnesty period for foreign nationals already here, before beginning recruiting overseas. Then as I said, after serving an honorable enlistment, immigrants would be granted residency with the option to get out, or continue on in their service. I would also recommend that the rank structure would not allow anyone to become an NCO before the initial enlistment is over and the green card is awarded.
I feel that this might function as a happy medium and achieve what everyone is trying to accomplish. Thoughts?
I realize that a US Foreign Legion would not be able to function in any occupations that require a security clearance. But I would imagine it working with all officers being US Citizens and an initial amnesty period for foreign nationals already here, before beginning recruiting overseas. Then as I said, after serving an honorable enlistment, immigrants would be granted residency with the option to get out, or continue on in their service. I would also recommend that the rank structure would not allow anyone to become an NCO before the initial enlistment is over and the green card is awarded.
I feel that this might function as a happy medium and achieve what everyone is trying to accomplish. Thoughts?
Posted in these groups: 
Foreign Affairs
Immigration
Foreign Affairs Immigration
Posted 11 y ago
Responses: 8
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If you use the FFL as a model, they are mostly combat options...I even entertained the idea of joining the FFL when I got divorced.
Your idea is a viable one.
So only foreign nationals can serve? For all around cross-training, the Marines, because of their combat amphibious mission, would be a great choice to train this USFL, also because of the strict discipline that is instilled in training.
Perhaps, serving as an instructor in the USFL could fulfill the 'B' billet requirement which would get you to MSgt.
Funding is the big question?...but it is a great grassroots idea...which you should run with.
In lieu of....I wish as a part of the US military, we could volunteer a foreign exchange with a foreign service, like a FAP (temp assignment) I would loved to have served with IDF, Spetnaz, FFL, and SAS. Wouldn't that have been a great experience?
Your idea is a viable one.
So only foreign nationals can serve? For all around cross-training, the Marines, because of their combat amphibious mission, would be a great choice to train this USFL, also because of the strict discipline that is instilled in training.
Perhaps, serving as an instructor in the USFL could fulfill the 'B' billet requirement which would get you to MSgt.
Funding is the big question?...but it is a great grassroots idea...which you should run with.
In lieu of....I wish as a part of the US military, we could volunteer a foreign exchange with a foreign service, like a FAP (temp assignment) I would loved to have served with IDF, Spetnaz, FFL, and SAS. Wouldn't that have been a great experience?
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I like that idea a lot, Sgt (Join to see). There have been other RallyPoint discussions about the pros and cons of allowing illegal immigrants to serve in the regular armed forces. Your proposal seems to be a happy medium between that and nothing. You're right, it does allow them to earn citizenship, instead of just having it handed to them through some amnesty program or other.
There might even be a way to have those folks in the "foreign legion" work in the civilian sector to fulfill a service requirement.
There might even be a way to have those folks in the "foreign legion" work in the civilian sector to fulfill a service requirement.
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Sgt (Join to see), that's a very interesting idea. I'd say the most informative comparisons would be to the French Foreign Legion, where some of our own got their start (like Col Ortiz.)
https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/outrageous-true-military-stories-which-is-your-favorite
https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/outrageous-true-military-stories-which-is-your-favorite
Outrageous True Military Stories. Which is your favorite? | RallyPoint
Sometimes true stories that inspire movies are better than the fiction. Which Service has the best outrageous (true) hero stories? Back it up with a credible link or citation. Approximately 80 officers and 200 enlisted men from the Marine Corps served in the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) during World War II. In that group was one of the most decorated Marines in World War II and the most decorated member of the OSS, Col. Pierre “Peter”...
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The idea has certainly worked for quite some time now for the French. It's an intriguing idea. However, as long as we have US Citizens who want to and cannot serve due to budget constraints I can't see a true need for it.
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This idea worked well for the French, but France's objectives were different.
France wanted to secure and ultimately assimilate an empire. Men who served in the French Foreign Legion were usually from the area they garrisonned, sprinkled with Frenchmen who wanted their criminal past to go away. It was a brutal, but effective, organization.
This smacks a little too close to empire building to me. I want no part of trying to assimilate the middle east or Africa into an American way of thinking. We tried that. It didn't work all that well, at least not lately.
To accomplish our objectives, we have to exemplify what make the American way of thinking unique, special, and worthy of emulation.
France wanted to secure and ultimately assimilate an empire. Men who served in the French Foreign Legion were usually from the area they garrisonned, sprinkled with Frenchmen who wanted their criminal past to go away. It was a brutal, but effective, organization.
This smacks a little too close to empire building to me. I want no part of trying to assimilate the middle east or Africa into an American way of thinking. We tried that. It didn't work all that well, at least not lately.
To accomplish our objectives, we have to exemplify what make the American way of thinking unique, special, and worthy of emulation.
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I don't think any of the programs that exist that allow immigrants to enter the U.S. military are handing out citizenship as part of the amnesty or any other program. You may find that those who serve with honor in the U.S. military are put at the head of the line for citizenship, but citizenship is not "handed out" by any shake of the imagination. Personally, I challenge anyone born in the United States to take the citizenship test WITHOUT benefit of prep or google or their phones/computers. I tried and failed miserably - and I pride myself on being up on most things "American".
As for an American "Foreign Legion" - is that the same as creating a "second class citizenship" status? Does it mean they have no rights? Does it mean their families have no rights? What language will they be required to speak? Does the Constitution permit such? Is an American "Foreign Legion" legal? If legal, under what law?
As for an American "Foreign Legion" - is that the same as creating a "second class citizenship" status? Does it mean they have no rights? Does it mean their families have no rights? What language will they be required to speak? Does the Constitution permit such? Is an American "Foreign Legion" legal? If legal, under what law?
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PO1 (Join to see)
Sgt (Join to see) I tip my hat to you for passing the test and on earning your citizenship! Welcome to America!
However, as I stated above - I do not believe any program that exists "gives" citizenship away. Though I was born in the U.S., I have aided multiple individuals go through the process of gaining greencards (legally) and eventually citizenship - though I don't have the personal experience you do, I have yet to meet someone that has been "handed" citizenship. Perhaps they exist - I just have yet to meet them.
Again, congratulations on becoming a citizen of our great country! Bravo Zulu!
However, as I stated above - I do not believe any program that exists "gives" citizenship away. Though I was born in the U.S., I have aided multiple individuals go through the process of gaining greencards (legally) and eventually citizenship - though I don't have the personal experience you do, I have yet to meet someone that has been "handed" citizenship. Perhaps they exist - I just have yet to meet them.
Again, congratulations on becoming a citizen of our great country! Bravo Zulu!
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Sgt (Join to see)
Thank you EN1! Please refer to my answer to SFC Kenrick's question to see how I'd attempt to eradicate the idea of simply giving out citizenship where it hasn't truly been earned.
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SFC (Join to see)
PO1 (Join to see) , I took the self test on the http://www.uscis.gov/ site and it wasn't that hard. I did miss one out of 25 questions.
You got 24 of 25 possible points.
Your score: 96 %
Good job! You have completed the practice naturalization self-test 1.
You got 24 of 25 possible points.
Your score: 96 %
Good job! You have completed the practice naturalization self-test 1.
United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is a component of the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS). It performs many administrative functions formerly carried out
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PO1 (Join to see)
OH hey! Didn't know about the online test! I actually took the real, paper test, but it was several years ago back when I was in Norfolk. Geesh, that's got to be over 20 years ago now that I think on it.
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Sgt (Join to see) I really like that idea. I have no experience with a Foreign Legion. How would the logistics part of it work?
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Sgt (Join to see)
I believe that logistically a Foreign Legion would probably need to be established as a department of an existing branch, similarly to how the Marine Corps is a department of the Navy. In this case, most likely the Army. That way the legion would be free to govern itself, but still accountable to the Secretary of the Army. Also it would allow them to borrow personnel from the Army to accomplish tasks that could not be completed from in house, the same way the Marine Corps chaplains and medical personnel all come from the Navy.
Initially it would need a pool of volunteer officers and senior NCOs to establish a chain of command, most likely with immigration experience of their own. As for enlistment, being that immigration policy seems to be up for reform at the moment, I'd suggest creating a new visa status. When I entered the US, it was on a student visa. As long as I was enrolled in at least 12 credits per semester I was legally allowed to be in the US. In this case, as long as an immigrant is on active duty in the foreign legion, then they are good. After serving four years honorably they are automatically eligible for permanent residency (AKA a green card), NOT citizenship. Perhaps after an additional 4 year enlistment they could be eligible to APPLY for citizenship, ie. They'd still have to pass the test, etc.
As far as a mission goes, I could see a Foreign Legion fulfilling duties such as infantry, artillery and other such roles that don't require heightened security clearances for the GP. As I mentioned previously all officers would need to already be US citizens, making them available for neccessary clearances. I would also predict that the same would go for Staff NCOs.
I hope this clears up any questions
Initially it would need a pool of volunteer officers and senior NCOs to establish a chain of command, most likely with immigration experience of their own. As for enlistment, being that immigration policy seems to be up for reform at the moment, I'd suggest creating a new visa status. When I entered the US, it was on a student visa. As long as I was enrolled in at least 12 credits per semester I was legally allowed to be in the US. In this case, as long as an immigrant is on active duty in the foreign legion, then they are good. After serving four years honorably they are automatically eligible for permanent residency (AKA a green card), NOT citizenship. Perhaps after an additional 4 year enlistment they could be eligible to APPLY for citizenship, ie. They'd still have to pass the test, etc.
As far as a mission goes, I could see a Foreign Legion fulfilling duties such as infantry, artillery and other such roles that don't require heightened security clearances for the GP. As I mentioned previously all officers would need to already be US citizens, making them available for neccessary clearances. I would also predict that the same would go for Staff NCOs.
I hope this clears up any questions
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