Lambeau: You're in the military, so I'm sure you know this....

There are tens of thousands (I remember reading 30,000) of non-citizen immigrants currently in the armed services and many are in Iraq, and they do have bilingual units for those who do not speak English. If you join the military, they promise you citizenship. Also, there are plenty of Puerto Ricans in the military and they are put in spanish speaking units as well.

Edit: This AP article says 31,000

http://www.sptimes.com/2003/04/05/Wo...light_on.shtml

So we're segregating military personnel based on their liguistic skills (and I'm not talking about linguists/translators)???

Ah, no. There is no such thing as a "spanish speaking unit." Or any other language, for that matter.

I don't doubt the number cited. And it is a much quicker path to full citizenship.

I can't speak for the army but for the Air Force there is a requirement that unless you have a high school diploma you can not enlist in the Air Force. There is a requirement that they speak English as there are no special considerations for non-english speaking AF members. They must speak English because the basic & technical training schools will not include translators. I've been TDY to the Air National Guard unit in Puerto Rico twice and every member of that unit speaks English. It's a requirement for the Air Force & Air National Guard.

Very similar for the Marines. We do allow some that don't have a HS diploma, but they have to have a GED, and even those numbers are small (I can get them if anyone's really interested).

As for language - same/same. You have to speak Engrish to join, and all schools are taught in Engrish. No $$$ (or personnel) for translators here, either.

Hmmm...I disagree with the fineprint problem...when I enlisted in 1990 they were prety frank about the eight years. I think where it falls in the cracks is when you consider it to yourself you think to yourself that you have all those other people infront of me before you call me back. But it was upfront. Everyone knows it is eight years...active and inactive.

If you say so...

Yep..initially almost everyone knows about the 8 year committment..I think its AFTER that 8 years is where it can be a little "less advertised"..There are a few instances where they give you an extra year or two in the IRR.., FY Drawdown programs, High Year Tenure, Hardship Discharges, etc..In other words, if you're getting any dough, or gettin' "hooked up" in some way by getting out, they make sure they get their "time's worth" out of you...:rofl:

"Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect every one who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. Whenever you give up that force, you are inevitably ruined"
Patrick Henry

"There is no hunting like the hunting of man.
And those who have hunted armed men long enough and liked it, never cared for anything else."
E.Hemingway

"AN AMERICAN SOLDIER, NO BETTER FRIEND, NO WORSE ENEMY"

Personally I would rather have those in the military that want to be there. Seems to me there are too many 'liberal' opinions in this country. I personally have worked for the DoD since highschool. I have friends in the military that can't wait to go back to Iraq/combat zones (Also Army friends from Panama, SK and other places people don't talk about). I think a lot of the people you see in the media chanting 'bring our troops home' haven't asked the troops if they want to come back yet. I spoke with a Marine Colonel yesterday that couldn't wait to get re-deployed. To each their own and IMO would rather have people in the forces that want to be there.

I agree with you. Like all the French kids of that time (back 25 years ago) I did my 'military service'. I got into the Air Force as a spoiled kid and left as a man with values and respect for others. Unfortunatly they stopped the mandatory duty few years later and I think that was a big mistake. I happened to do more than my mandatory 18 months by personal choice and then served in the reserve later. I learnt a great deal from this experience.