O’Hanlon’s proposal to essentially import foreign nationals to serve in the United States military is just as unlikely to occur than Rodrick’s proposal for national service. While I have nothing against allowing foreign nationals to gain citizenship through enlistment into the military, his plan has several problems. For example, he states “importing immigrants to be soldiers would solve the military’s recruitment problems and provide the Armed Forces with more translators and experts in other cultures.” As it stand now translators and experts in their fields need specific clearance, this clearance cannot be attained be foreigners. I think it is important to acknowledge his point that if too man immigrants serve in the military then they and their families are not politically represented in the government.
Aside from these minor details, bring foreign nationals into the army many help solve some of these problems. Foreign citizens already make up a portion of the military, as he cites 40,000. The argument that it is un-American to have non-Americans fighting its war is not convincing. Historically the United States has had foreign nationals serve in the military. I would like to hope that decision makers in Washington share the belief that a life is a life and it should not be risked unnecessarily. Ultimately, I think it will become necessary to consider the use of foreign nationals in the military more seriously.
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I agree that neither O'Hanlon's nor Rodricks' proposals are likely to be enacted any time soon. I also think your point about translators' clearance is important to consider. Most important, it seems, is the lack of political representation and the lack of citizenship for the families of those soldiers. It seems that the government, in undertaking such policies and in assessing future policy proposals, should keep in mind the sacrifices being made and the devotion of the soldier's families to the US. When a soldier goes to war, a burden is placed on their family, and by not granting citizenship to those family members the government virtually dismisses their patriotism and personal investment in the military.
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