Military seeks foreigners for medical, linguist jobs
By Bryan Bender, Globe Staff
WASHINGTON -- The Pentagon announced late this afternoon that it will seek to recruit up to 1,000 foreigners living in the United States on work or student visas in an unprecedented effort to fill critical shortfalls in the military ranks, including medical personnel and foreign language specialists.
The year-long experiment, approved by Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates, was determined "vital to the national interest" at a time when the military is need of additional doctors and nurses to treat wounded troops and is operating in a variety of countries where it has little cultural understanding.
The US military has long accepted noncitizens who are permanent residents of the United States and hold green cards. The new effort, which has been under consideration for several years, allows the Army, Navy, Marines and Air Force to tap into the thousands of foreigners studying in the United States or working here temporarily as legal aliens.
"The bottom line is that the Department of Defense has a critical need for qualified health care professionals and people with language and associated culture capabilities," said Eileen Lainez, a Pentagon spokeswoman. "Legal aliens have enriched our forces by supporting our nation in previous wars, and their unique backgrounds are especially valuable in today's global war on terror."
There are about 29,000 non-citizens serving in the military now. Some national security leaders have been cautious to open up the ranks to more foreigners in recent years fearing what Max Boot, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, calls a "nativist backlash."
But Boot, who has long advocated recruiting more qualified noncitizens into the military in return for expedited citizenship said yesterday's announcement is "a good start."
"It is a recognition of there are a lot of people who want to serve who could make a significant contribution," Boot said. "We need soldiers who can interact and understand local populations without a translator. I wish the program were larger, but I am glad they are at least opening the door a crack and hope it will open more in the future."
Gates, who President-elect Barack Obama announced this week will stay on as defense secretary indefinitely, is using for the first time a law passed three years ago that outside groups have criticized, saying the Pentagon would essentially be using mercenaries to defend the country, could jeopardize national security, or at the very least reflect badly on Americans' willingness to serve in uniform.
The move, first reported by the Associated Press, also comes at a time when service members are re-enlisting in droves because of the bleak job market and when the military is finally meeting its overall recruiting goals after years of struggling to do so during two wars.
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I think its a good idea. As long as they are here legally (if only temporarily) they can use this to expedite the process of applying for permanent legal citizenship.......I guess in reality there won't be much of an incentive there though since we don't enforce our immigration laws to begin with, and the new administration coming in could care less about the issue.
Yeah cause this worked out so well for the Roman Empire, the Byzantine Empire, the British Empire, etc.
So much for an army of citizen soldiers in a republic. Here come the mercenaries.
I don't think illegal immigrant is the winning issue for the Republican in the future rather it's their everlasting defeat.What is the real threat in this nation is TERRORISM and not illegal immirants sorry people but thats the truth and I'm amazed the amount of time and money the Republican is spending in beating the wrong horse.Of course there are people came here from many parts of the world whether legally or illegally for a better future but because of cultural,tradition,racial and languages shouldn't be look at it as part of the terrorism problem.Most people came here for good intention and purpose for their childrens and families just like the Pilgrims and all immigrants arrived in this land long ago.If this years election signal any problematic issue for the GOP in the future it's the immigration issue.If by Gods will to leave his children seek freedom in this promise land Barrack Obamas victory surely is the first sign.
It is grad idea, which mad me so happy. I am an Afghan doctor. I am US green cardholder and I have to work hard and earn money for my children education but not in medical failed now I work as a journalist. I have not time for USMLE preparation. If I had this opportunity to work as a Physician assistant or take part in clinical research in US military it would be so nice.
"Most people came here for good intention and purpose for their childrens and families just like the Pilgrims and all immigrants arrived in this land long ago."
The Pilgrims were settlers, you dingbat. They didn't come here to "serve" in the Iroquois Indian military. I suppose you think its a good idea for any "decent" person to simply move into your house and take your job/business...so long as they are doing it to "help their families."
This is an attempt to further globalize our military and displace our own people.
#1 smp,
That kind of attitude and hate feeling you've express doesn't solve any problem at all.Tell me,do you think there were no people in this house (America) when the Pilgrims arrived? You cannot make up an excuse right,the native Indians were already here enjoying their freedom and life style in their home.It's not the immigrants fault that jobs are losses and businesses are gone that is just silly excuse.
Well thank goodness they already fired all those Arabic-linguists who are gay!
Cause, you know, they don't deserve any sort of employment security.
how do i apply for these opening?
i called recruiters and asked how to apply but noboby has any information on that.
If someone has information please post it here. Lots of high educated foreigners want to apply to serve the military.
That was a smart move made by Pentagon. Cheap Labor and meat for Citizenship...
Not bad at all. Save some money on GI bills and signing bonus , which i doubt that they will be offered for Foreign students and other immigrants.
Hey win some, lose some. 50/50
Good luck.
Live as an American or die for America!!!!!!!!!
Smart move. I am a foreign trained medical doctor with twenty years of experience in general medical practice. I am a U.S. Citizen, working in various doctors offices as an assistant to treating physicians over the past fourteen years. I have not been able to crash the USMLE because I have to work very hard at my minimal resource to support my family.
I do believe that this will not only be a bold move that portrays the heart of a soldier, it will be an opportunity for the foreign medical doctors to prove themselves as well trained and tactful professionals, and perhaps change the way they are perceived today in the medical industry in the United States.
Sandy is right. I hope you could post the requirements and procedures on how to apply. It will be an honor to serve the military.
yep thats great its great for USA to think this way because we foreign studenta can tell you more of these cultures,i think this is great move US will be able to understand more cultures and why some terr...... develop theese hard-rock hearts to do what they do in sweet lives of ours,offcourse i love it to work for US and get that pay at the same time i protect the people from this bad business of terr...... which is ruining our freedom any where in the world.please help and email me the details of how to join
HI, I AM SHAMIM FROM AFGHANISTAN I AM A GREEN CARD HOLDER I WAS INTERPRETER WITH US ARMY IN AFGHANISTAN FOR FIVE YEARS AND I LIKE TO GET THIS JOB
I am a Albanian doctor very interesed for this job.I am living here in US for more than 4 years now as a permanent resident.I would really appreciate any information how to apply for this job
The military previously trained individuals for these critical jobs and offered decent incentives formally know as bonuses to civilians with the experience required. I think we can utilize the opportunities afforded recruiters to access college campuses in America to recruit future graduates. As a soldier I believe that we have a wealth of resources to fill the critical positions needed to be filled. Looking forward, I know that the well being of Our Global Community will be the deciding factor.
It is a great idea for recruring forgners to work with Navey, Marine and Militery and use their linguistic foreign language abilities, I speak read and write Pashtu, Urdu, and Farci languages, I am curently workind with DOD as a Meical Interpreter and I have four years of experience.
I am very interested to work with Militery and I will look forward to hear from you in the very near future. thanks
i'm interested for my husband to be in interpreter. can you email the details