12/26/2006
Recruited Foreigners = Mercenaries?
American Soldier says,
I read in a news article that the assumption of recruiting foreigners into the Armed Services is essentially having mercenaries defending our country.
*blink*
*blink*
I don’t know about you but I think this is just absurd. I know that despite what country you were born in you will endure the same training any red blooded American would. So just because you live in a different country and are recruited you are deemed a mercenary? Man I just want to smack some people in the ear lobe for being this dumb.
I served with a few non US Citizens that were in Iraq in a US Army uniform that went through the same training I did. Do those soldier’s earn their citizenship quicker? You damn right they do. They ought to get it the day they step foot in the war zone.
So back on topic about the Foreigner Recruiter = American Mercenaries. Is this shit really news worthy?
Here is the linked article I write to you about.
Filed under: General
28 Responses to “Recruited Foreigners = Mercenaries?”
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I have no problems with green-card holders serving in the military, or others who might come here with that purpose in mind. Calling them mercenaries is wrong. If they are mercenaries, than so is everyone else currently being paid to be in the military. But us going overseas to hunt for recruits? That gives me the creeps. Can you imagine the reaction if, say, the Chinese set up recruiting offices in the U.S.? What would that say about their military, their citizens, and their apparent desperation for troops?
And yes, I think it’s newsworthy when the “greatest country on earth” is having so much trouble finding enough of its own citizens to serve in its military that it even considers looking overseas…
Yeah, if the schools wouldn’t ban the recruiters, then maybe we would have more volumteers for the services. Some people act like serving in the armed forces is the worst thing a young person could do.
If everyone felt that way, then we wouldn’t have anyone to defend our freedoms.
I agree that green card holders should be allowed to serve in our military if they choose.
I very proud of foreign individuals serving during the War on Terror with United States forces - truly a wonderful show of patriotism. Many of them do this to “earn” citizenship when they could come to the United States illegally without “war zone” risk instead. Yet - possibly, as in every war - some may just want to fight to be fighting.
First of all, merry late chrismas AS. I’ve been reading your posts for a while now and I appreciate you sharing your thoughts with us readers.
I don’t have an American citizenship, but I would love to serve with the Marines one day. Does that make me a mercenary? No. It’s just that I want to serve in the military, to fight for my beliefs. I would fight to defend what I believe in, that includes freedom.
I’ve always been in an American institution until 2004, and I live the core values of an American. What is an American? An American is not someone who is born in the United States, but someone who feels he’s an American and who would protect her anywhere, anytime.
That’s my way of seeing it.
If they want to join, let them be. It’s their life on the line, not yours.
You want to see enthusiastic love-of-country? Talk to a first-generation American, or recent immigrant. They have a perspective that born-and-raised spoiled Americans, so fond of engaging in self-loathing and criticism as we are, frankly lack.
I’ve been a lot of places in the world, and I’ve seen how they live, and I’m thankful every day of my life that I was born an American. We have a great thing going in this country, and anyone who has lived outside of the US for any period of time knows it.
If people want to earn citizenship in this country by putting their lives on the line in service to it, then God bless them. I’m proud that they’re wearing the same uniform that I once wore.
One quote comes to mind, and it sums it up rather nicely: “For those who have fought for it, freedom has a taste the protected will never know.”
Truer words were never spoken.
New Guy - I guess we don’t hang out with the same Americans. The Americans I know don’t engage in self loathing and criticism, although they do believe it is part of their duty as citizens to question and criticize their government when they think it is necessary. What are your thoughts on the other questions I raised?
I am all for folks who immigrate legally and if this is part of their process so much the better. Some of our home bred citizens could learn much from them about the real value of this country and what it means to believe in something and commit to that belief. Anybody that draws pay from someone is a slave to economics or a mercenary. Every soldier, no matter the country he or she serves, is a mercenary. The whole point is moot. Some people thrive on creating some kind of controversy because they have nothing of positive value to add to anybody’s life.
What? The war is so unpopular and so unnecessary we can’t even get enough of our own people to join the military? So now we have to compete with Angola and the French Foreign Legion in the foreign mercenary market? So our military under George W. Bush is going to hire illegal aliens for soldiers now? Will the tax payer get a price break on those alien wages? France does. Viva la guerre! Viva la Bush?
Sorry, but the absurdity, is the war.
I do not know what kind of human being you are but you are so wrong about this war and everything related to it that I almost feel sorry for you. You know nothing, much less what this discussion is really about. I have been wrong about many things in my life but I am not wrong about what this country means, should be and must fight to remain. You have no code and no belief system. You have no comprehension of sacrifice and loyalty. You are a lost spirit and deserve not one whit of what the defenders have done for you.
Hbrious–that was directed to you and I left your name out. I do not want any of these other good people to think that was directed at them. Happy New Year and I hope that in your future so appreciation for what you have and why you have it penetrates your mind. I doubt it but I still hope for it.
Wrong or not, “We the People” are clearly bringing this war to an end. Our right to do so is spelled out in the Constitution and was reaffirmed and mandated by the majority last election.
All military “codes” and “all individual belief systems” are negated by the oath to; “Defend and Protect the Constitution ect…ect.. obey all officers appointed over ect..ect..”. That is the only “code” that has ever been needed through-out our history. The military is subservient and submissive to the constitution, not vice versa.
All Soldiers are NOT mercenaries. Mercenaries kill only for money and are scum that are often killed on sight, because capture is not required. That is international law by which we are bound by treaty.
Stamp your feet and throw a tissy if you wish, but this human member of “We the People” has spoken with the majority. The war will be ended and we will not dirty ourselves by hiring mercenaries to kill for us just because the war is unpopular.
Frankly, your “make up your own code” mentality is contrary too, and, possibly even a threat to the Constitution of the United States.
Tizzy. It’s throw a tizzy, not a tissy. And nobody said anything about hiring illegal aliens for the military. You have to have a green card I believe.
I’ve grew up in family of combat pilot. Since early years, I was interested in aviation. Very often, my father took me to airfield. I’ve studied and trained a lot to prepare myself for career of aviator. So it wasn’t a big question for me - which job should I choose after high school graduation. Unfortunately Ukraine doesn’t have modern aviation, pilots don’t have an opportunity to fly enough, and I can’t realize my dream here.
United States always attracts me as a land of opportunities. I’ve read almost all about the organization of U.S. Military, rules of enlistment and eligibilities to become pilot.
I want to join the U.S. Navy, but it is impossible without citizenship or Permanent Residency status.
Unfortunately, I don’t have any relatives in U.S. So there is no way for me to get a Permanent Residency status other than through DV lottery. Few times I’ve participated DV lottery, but it gave no result.
. I know that I can’t become pilot at once but I’m ready to serve few years as Enlisted, and than (after completing of naturalization process) I will try applying for commissioning.
So why somebody who going to work in US as civilian can get green card but I don’t? It’s not even about citizenship or money, I’m just wanna be a part of great country, and defence its core values.
OH Cliff why don’t you get a life and leave these poor people alone. Is it your mission to attack every Military person, and blog? I understand you are trying to work on your thesis but really man, you are getting very ugly with this.
For anyone on this blog that Doesn’t know, Nephi is Cliff Lyon over at One Utah. Respond to him with that in mind.
Strange I got an email from a guy doing a Doctoral Dissertation named Mark. Wonder if there is a connection?
To be honest, I have people talk about me all the time. I like it! If they find the energy to want to discuss my topics then I have opened their minds. Bad or good, the end result is they were affected or influenced by my posts. Education is the weapon of mass destruction!
I agree AS, education is a weapon that can be used for the good or the bad. Unfortunately Cliff/Nephi/MilMom….. (Sue have I forgot any of the aliases he uses?) has suddenly in the past month or two developed the urge to target MilBlogs. Not sure what his hidden agenda is, since he hides behind the dissertation excuse. He/they tend to get upset and start flinging insults, name-calling and making threats if you don’t agree with his/their point of view.
Well actually there were quite a few others but those are the favorites. And Education is never a bad thing but when you use flawed premises and twist facts and statements, it is no longer usable for a valid thesis. So, I would hope that his professors at what ever school it is that he is going to, will check out his so called facts.
To American Soldier, my sincerest apologies for having to speak about this on your blog but I wanted you to be aware, and wary of what will be taking place here. It will be turned into a war zone if Cliffy has his way.
Well Steve, life’s a bitch. Try Canada.
Cliff/Nephi will not be a problem here.
“All military “codes” and “all individual belief systems” are negated by the oath to; “Defend and Protect the Constitution ect…ect.. obey all officers appointed over ect..ect..”. That is the only “code” that has ever been needed through-out our history. The military is subservient and submissive to the constitution, not vice versa.”
…
“Frankly, your “make up your own code” mentality is contrary too, and, possibly even a threat to the Constitution of the United States.”
Are you really this dumb? What code do you think Moon was talking about? No one here has said anything remotely like what you apparently believe you read. And, this is what libs do. They just make it up. They believe what their own fetid imaginations up.
And if you think the newl Congress is going to end the war before it is won, you have really misread the election.
Finally, about your name. You apparently do not understand the meaning of “hubris.” How ironic.
Shooter, you are great. If Mr. H. does not get it he never will. AS, Hubrious should be relegated to shining your shoes. I doubt he knows how to spit shine but give him time. Perhaps he can learn.
The only problem i see with using non-citizen soldiers is that the citizens of America will grow even more complacent and reliant on others to carry the weight of freedom. I’m 17 and i plan to join the marine corp after high school, but out of a school with over 1300 kids in it, i only know of 3 others who are even thinking about it.
I pray to god my generation suck as much when we’re 30 as it does when we’re 17.
If the people of the United States supported this war than there would be no need for this outsourcing. However the people of the United States DO NOT support this war. That the members of the Armed Forces do support this war to a higher degree I find worrisome, in that they no longer represent “mainstream” American thinking.
John Ryan — the press is full of liars and to believe them and the polls they only do where they get a desired response is laughable. it defies what i hear personally every day. why do you or anyone else want to desert those people now and let them be slaughtered? do you want another 9/11? why would you waste the lives that have been given so far and not complete the mission? why would you want to create another Vietnam where we never lost a major battle and lost the war? wake the hell up, please.
Nice of someone to bring this up. I’m a norwegian who are going to iraq soon, and that is with a us uniform. We all have to have a valid green card to do this, and it gives us the chance to get the citizenship.
I don’t understand why we are called mercs… I’m not doing it for the money, and not because I want to shot someone. I think it’s great that the us gives me the chance of doing this, but it’s sad that see that people don’t appreciate the sacrifice these people do.
Joakim— you are not a merc. You are doing what you believe in. Our volunteer military is not a group of mercs. No merc would do what they do for the money they earn. People who say that just do not know what they are talking about.
how can i be an American soldier?
John Ryan- perhaps you have things reversed?
Perhaps it should worry you not that the military “supports the war” more- they know it better, and have the most to lose. Perhaps it should worry you that the rest of America supports it less, although they know far less. It’s like this: if most Firefighters supported home smoke detectors, but most Americans didn’t bother, which group would you think had the right idea?
And the phrase “support the war” is very deceptive. People do not “Support the war”. You can support one side, or not. You can support victory in the war, or defeat in the war. Have you noticed that the people who put pressure on the US government to withdraw from the war NEVER put any real pressure on the enemy to do the same? And a US retreat would hardly end the war, in fact (Did you catch Ted Koppel on Discovery?) it would most likely make the war far worse. So, if you are calling for a US retreat, you are not “anti-war”, you are very much in favor of the war, but hoping someone else wins it! (or delusional, take your pick). The people who are the most anti-war are the ones actually trying to end the war, instead of trying to run away from a war. In other words, soldiers are the anti-war folks, not the demonstrators.
And if we did retreat, just where do you think a whole bunch of victorious Jihadis (the claim of having “beaten” the USA would wonders for their morale, and drive up recruitment, as it has in the past) would go next? Fighting the West is their life, it’s what they believe in. These freaks have been raised to believe that the sole reason for their poverty, misery, and humilation is the corrupt, infidel West. Killing us is all they have in life.
Have you noticed how quiet it’s been HERE while we kill them THERE? I keep hearing people say Iraq has made us less safe, but if we are less safe than we were in 2001, and yet, completely unhurt, we must be very, very good at this.
And Joakim, you are right. It’s not about money, although soldiers are certainly entitled to be paid for their work (a pittance, for the efforts they make!) It’s about our civilization, of which Norway is a part, and defending it.
Ben