Posted on Dec 9, 2014
Sgt Continuous Improvement Manager
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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?
Posted in these groups: Foreign affairs logo Foreign AffairsImmigration logo Immigration
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Responses: 8
SSG(P) Instructor
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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?
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CW5 Desk Officer
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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.
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Capt Richard I P.
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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
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