Last February the U.S. military instituted a pilot program to allow for certain temporary immigrants to enter into the Armed Forces in key, strategically important positions. The program has been a great success and will hopefully expand in the coming years. Over a thousand recruits have enlisted through the program.
The program allows for foreign nationals living in the United States on temporary visas to enter into the military if they possess certain language abilities or certain, in demand, skill sets (such as medical physicians). The program is a win-win for both sides: the military gets highly skilled and critically important recruits while the foreign nationals get the opportunity to become U.S. citizens at an accelerated speed.
Let’s hope the program is full speed ahead in the years to come.
This is a great idea. I think they should also make it possible for undocumented immigrants to enlist and gain their residency through military service.