New source of high-quality recruits
Great news from the Wall Street Journal. Apparently thousands of Korean immigrants have gotten frustrated with the bureaucratic obstacle course that must be traversed in order to gain citizenship. So, they are utilizing a loophole: military service for fast-track citizenship. The program was intended to attract immigrants with high-value language skills, but it is also attracting high-quality Korean immigrants whose Korean language proficiency might not be quite what we were looking for, but are bringing other high-value skills and attributes.
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So many Koreans have applied, however, that the Army doesn't need them all.
Koreans form the largest group among the 8,000 applicants for the program, launched on Feb. 23. Many have excellent credentials, including degrees in medicine and engineering. Almost all are veterans of South Korea's own compulsory military service.
"The quality of these applicants has been phenomenal," says Lt. Col. Peter Badoian, the project officer for the pilot program. "But we didn't anticipate one immigrant community would respond so strongly."
- via WSJ Online
My only question is, what on Earth are they talking about when they say, "the Army doesn't need them all"? Do we have too many recruits with advanced degrees? Not enough new recruits who grew up sitting on a couch and playing video games? Are we looking to even out the ranks with people who can't pass the ASVAB?
That is good news - especially given recent events
My experience with ROK Marines back in the old Team Spirit exercise was very positive - they were razor sharp.
History indicates this to be the norm. That they come with advanced education and a strong desire to be American citizens is even better.
Best, Rob
Is this an argument over foreigners or Gays or what?
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Originally Posted by
IntelTrooper
A minor quibble, but American citizens booted from DLI are not replaced with foreigners. Foreigners cannot be granted security clearances and therefore cannot hold an MI MOS. They are usually brought in (if they possess a critical language skill) as MOS 09L. They would not be serving as 97-series (or 35-series, or 98 series) which those kicked out of DLI would be or would be going to school for after completion of their language training.
This is the way it always has been. I don't see them changing it anytime soon. Also, the enlistment of foreigners fits the general tendency in all civilian fields to do the same. It better to hire a doctor or nurse fom another country and not create the training programs so American citizens can fill the job.
This point of foreigners being used in the military has allways been done in times of failing enlistment goals. I know for a fact it was used heavily in the Vietnam years. I have a different perspective on the problem. Is a foreigner better than a criminal, the over aged or the profiled? I have no answer myself. I'm only asking the question. But our enlistment goals must be filled. (they haven't been lately) how do you fill them if you can't get the best America has to offer.
As for Gays in the military, I joined the Army as a 2lt in 1966 and served till after GW1. There were always men and woman who were different. They didn't threaten my sexuality. Go to Bangkok on RR and see what you get there. However, President Clinton tried to staighten this mess out and got his *ss handed to him on a plate. DADT was the result. And I'm sure the ultra-right would do the same to Obama if he tries to fix it now.
14 countries have restructured their policies about homosexuality and none of them have come to regret their decisions. Maybe it is time for us to wake up and smell the coffee.