It is Time for U.S. to create" The American Foreign Legion"Like French

[DEMVET-USMC]

Foreign Legion it would be made up of mostly Foreigners.Think of it as a jobs program for the Worlds unhappy angry young men and I guess Women to remain politically correct. Also this would provide a further incentive for enlistees. The French did and still are using foreigners to augment thier Military forces. The Romans did it to fill out the ranks of the Roman Legions, in fact, most Roman Legionaires were foreigners. I believe by tradition these foreign fighters are generally assigned the least disirable duties , or most desirable depending on how the individual feels about being a Front Line Combat Troop. There are many incentives and what not that could be used to entice enlistments. Looking into the French experience with Their"French Foreign Legion", should prove instructive and helpful in creating " THE AMERICAN FOREIGN LEGION ". I`ve got a feeling I`m going to get flamed on this one,ergo . leaving to get cigarettes. ...Oscar

[MadHound]

1. Just one question

Rather than supplement our forces with foreign mercs and soldiers(which we are already doing, the current euphemism is contract security agents, and KBR amongst others employ a sizable percentage of foreign born nationals), why don't we instead not involve our country in wars of empire and oil?

[DEMVET-USMC]

5. The American Foreign Legion should cost much less than Security Forces

provided by such companies as KBR. The American Foreign Legion could or should be under the direct command structure of U.S. Military Command. For instance the U.S. Army could provide at the very least the Officer Corps from say Colonel on up if, not for the entire Officer Corp which may be both feasible and desirable for all the obvious reasons. Fighting less wars would also be my first choice, but we have ourselves enmeshed in foreign wars now to the point that our Troops are greatly overextended, relying unfairly far to heavily on National guardsmen and women along with all the Reserves which at this point in time are full time soldiers some beginning their second tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Army has also been reassigning troops from important posts such as Korea to Iraq. This is not good. ...Oscar

[leesa]

13. You don't seem to get it. If we don't go around provoking

unnecessary wars, we won't need these people. Military folk might actually be able to be proud of their service if we are not illegally invading and overthrowing countries as part of our corporate plan.

[HawkerHurricane]

2. Would the 'American Foreign Legion' be like the French?

Since the French Foreign Legion is made up mostly of Frenchmen...

[DEMVET-USMC]

6. French For.Leg.Mostly French?I don`t think so,but event if you are right, I

see no Reason why The American Foreign Legion would have to be. I believe it would be highly desirable for he U.S. to provide the Officer Corps, but there many millions of English speaking, or people capable of learning English who could be enticed into joining for a myriad of reasons. Let`s look at the French experience and see how they did it for starters. Of course all these men would have to pass certain standards and be checked out in all the ways and for all the obvious reasons. ...Oscar

[HawkerHurricane]

12. French Foriegn Legion

Gets most of its recruits from France... but since legally French citizens cannot join, the recruiters list them as being from Alsace or Loraine... French territories that spent a large number of years under German control.

So, do we offer American citizenship for completing a tour of duty?

[tabasco]

3. Not a good idea.

- The politicians would be even more inclined to wage wars. If a society is strong, its people will fight for it. If a society is weak, it must hire others to fight for it. See the late Roman Empire.
- I am more in favor of universal service, similar to many European programs. Every able-bodied male serves in military / police / civil service. Strict deferment policy. I beleive service, even if cumpulsory, increases patriotism and reduces racism.

[DEMVET-USMC]

9. You brought up some good points,most of which I agree with. The Draft

also known as compulsory military service is in my opinion not politically acceptable at this time, especially for a Democratic Candidate and hopefully President. Our military is stretched severely right now and we need to fill this troop deficit somehow. I do believe The American Foreign Legion is a good answer to this very real and compelling problem, at least in the short term ,perhaps the next ten years,it`s hard to say with much if any accuracy. Who Knows what the future holds in store for us? As to the Roman Empire in this regard, I believe it was Caesar Augustus who began allowing foreigners to join the Roman Legion and that this policy was crucial for the success of the Roman Legions and Rome itself to maintain the Empire. After that all the Roman Emperors did so with differing levels of success and the Roman Empire did succeed as well as it did for hundreds of years. ... Oscar

[tabasco]

14. The best idea is not to become an empire.

- The US had no just cause to wage a war in Iraq. When we unass Iraq, we will have enough troops to protect our national interests and accomplish the mission in Afghanistan. Kerry will be willing and able to turn over control of Iraq to the UN and get us out of there. That is my solution for the current manpower problem.
- The best idea is not to become an empire in the first place. The Roman Republic could have survived if they had settled for, say, Italy and Gaul. But nooooooo ... they had to go and try and conquer the world. The Romans were so far advanced, comparatively, that they could have maintained this much territory. But the Empire got greedy and now Italy is just the peninsula and Sicily. The US would be better off not trying to rule the world too.
- I am NOT in favor of a draft, implemented during this current debacle. I am in favor of UNIVERSAL service, implemented during peacetime. But I doubt if it will ever happen. Sadly, too many Americans do not feel the need to serve the Nation.

[tom_paine]

4. Hi, DEMVET-USMC

:hi:

Air Force Puke, here! (well, former...)

No flames, although I think the Hessians fill in for that position nicely. Though I get your point, our Amerikan Hessians aren't of the Army (although that is their "charm" to the Emperor* and his Minions) nor controlled by it.

The French Foreign Legion was a fully-attached part of their army, right? Subject to the orders and discipline of their commanders?

Given the Nations of the World's view of us, which for the first time in my life has more than a sliver of justification, I am sad to say, how would you even be able to attract a regiment, let alone a brigade of foreigners to fight for us?

Better pay them LOTS of money or you won't even get a company.

Which is what the Hessian (mercs) are doing right now in Iraq. Plus, while the Hessians can murder, rape, pillage, torture, or do whatever they want and not be accountable to Military Law (oh, how the Armed Forces are taking on the persona of the Tyrants who now rules us!).

An American Foreign legion would be subject to Military law, which would render them next to useless to the Imperial Family except as warm bodies (which they still might need).

And, as this is the first time I've run across you, Fellow veteran, a hearty, if belated Welcome to DU :toast: :toast:

Come on in! Have a :beer:

[DEMVET-USMC]

7. Hi Tom, You made some good points but I do believe the men are out

there to fill out the ranks with the right incentives. Pay of course would be a big one. With this in mind places such as South America, Mexico < lot of macho guys there in need of a job >,and certain Europeon Countries, the Men would come forward, I could be wrong but I think I am right about this. One of my best freinds in the Corps in Viet Nam was a Portugese Citizen. He had his reasons for joining wich had nothing to do with money. And Tom, I have nothing but respect for all my fellow Veterans whereever, whenever, and in whatever capacity they served. We all did our part to protect our Nation. ...Oscar

[tom_paine]

11. I think you are right that the men are there

I just think the Busheviks wouldn't want them because they can't do all the shit the unregulated Hessians can do for them.

But yes, absolutely, if we can Retore the Old American Republic to health and vigor (the checks & balances, I mean), it is a good idea in theiry, just not in the present circumstances.

[K-W]

8. NO NO NO, it is an invitation for more US military intervention

The United States should keep a small profesional army of citizens. The last thing in the world we need are more troops. I understand that more are needed in Iraq, but I dont think establishing an entire new program is the way to get them.

The reason to have a foriegn legion is to be able to wage war at lower costs.

[DEMVET-USMC]

10. Re:invitation for more U.S. intervention,It doesn`t have to be that way.

Your point is well taken and would perhaps be the strongest argument against creating The American Foreign Legion. Never the less, if handled properly and with Proper Congressional input and oversight I believe it could work. I would never want to see a President Bush with am American Foreign Legion at his command. Perhaps a "sunset clause" would be a necessity. I haven`t thought of everything regarding all this. I just know I couldn`t send one person against his or her will into the Military I`d go myself but am too old,they won`t accept you after 35 years old + time served. I was too old for the 1st Gulf war, the U.S.military doesn`t want you. That may change if things get bad enough and I hope things get better fast with a new Admin.. It`s an Idea I had and I appreciate your input. ...Oscar