Non-citizens can provide an "untapped" pool of military recruits, experts say

I'll come onboard with this thought with the understanding,that any non-citizen will not serve in a clearance sensative position . This is a topic is near and dear to my own military service. I initially enlisted as a non U.S. citizen, but when it became necessary for me to obtain a clearance . I was notified by the command either I renounced my German citizenship and become a naturalized U.S. citizen, or I wouldn't be allowed to continue with my career path.I complied willingly and in 1973 was sworn in as a naturalized U.S. citizen in federal court of Dallas Tx. Many things have put a broad smile on my face in my career accomplishments and this ranked to the top along with the rest . I received my clearance necessary to have access to the sensitive information and area's of responsibility at all commands. So this is a step to increase troop strength across the board in all service branches.

Be careful heading too far down this road.

Non-citizens in small numbers are normally a positive addition to the force. Non-citizens in large numbers are essentially mercenaries who fight for pay, and not out of any sense of loyalty to the nation.

As I recall, this process did not work out well for the Romans. Ultimately, their conscript war fighting force of non-citizens turned on them and burned Rome to the ground.

The unfortunate circumstance of an all volunteer force is you will eventually reach a generation of selfish civilians, and need to recruit for non citizens at some point. A little bit is fine, given the motivations and discipline are there in the recruits. It should not be a "diversity hire" where non citizens are pulled in to fill some politically correct ethic goal.