Shadow's taxicab personnel report

[shadowknows69]

Not many new Soldier stories but met an interesting man today. A black man to be exact just joining the military. Interesting twist was that he is a British citizen. Born in england and I think served in or at least lived in south africa for a while. I didn't know we let non-citizens join our army but whatever. I found it interesting and asked him why our army. He said that there is more institutionalized racism in the british armed forces. He wants to be a soldier but apparently has more potential for advancement in our army. I told him I'd heard quite a few racially caustic remarks coming from a good chunk of the soldiers here as well but he claimed that in england they'll basically let you know up front that they don't like your presence there and that advancement is a pipe dream. Just reporting it like I'm hearing it. Should have some more after this weekend.

[Dunvegan]

1. Really enjoy reading your work, Shadow.

Thanks for the frontline reporting.

Great story-telling. It is appreciated.

[Suich]

2. Wow! That surprises me.

I would have thought it more racist in the US but not sure why.

Thanks for passing on the bits you hear!

[madeline_con]

3. "I didn't know we let non-citizens join our army ..."

Deaths shine light on noncitizens in military

©Associated Press
April 5, 2003


DALY CITY, Calif. -- Among the first U.S. troops killed in Iraq were men who died for a country where they couldn't even cast a vote.

Marine Lance Cpl. Jose Gutierrez, a native of Guatemala, and Cpl. Jose Angel Garibay, from Mexico, were among the 31,000 noncitizens serving in the military.

Such troops normally receive little public attention, though the sacrifices of Gutierrez and Garibay have highlighted their presence and Defense Department officials say the number of noncitizens in the ranks is growing.

http://www.sptimes.com/2003/04/05/Worldandnation/Deaths_shine_light_on.shtml

[shadowknows69]

5. I think I do remember reading that thanks mad-con

Great name too BTW. It was an interesting chat. I didn't really know what to say to him but welcome to the country. I wonder what kind of bonuses we're offering the brits to NOT join their own army. I'm suprised they allow it since we're all in Iraq anyway.

[Kutjara]

4. Joining the military...

...has long been a means for foreign nationals to fasttrack getting US citizenship. Several of my Irish relatives took this route in the 60s and 70s. In the days when you normally had to wait seven years to apply for citizenship, those who served in the forces we're elegible after (I think) three years.

As for institutionalised racism in the British military, it is a well-known fact. There is a similar problem in the police force, but at least they are trying to do something about it (however half-heartedly). The fact remains that, in the UK, the military and police are way down the list of career choices for minorities. They are (rightly) perceived as the last bastions of so-called 'Little Englanders,' people who fondly recall Britain without the 'taint' of immigration. Given that Britain has been a multiethnic, immigrant society since pre-Roman times, it's difficult to know precisely when this golden age of racial hegemony was supposed to have been, but that's just letting fact get in the way of humbug.

I don't blame your acquaintance for joining the US military. Although racism certainly exists there, it is also the case that people of ability can get ahead (they just have to work harder to do so if they happen to be non-white). In the UK, it's an exercise in futility.

edit: typos

[shadowknows69]

6. Very informative thanks Kutjara

I feel stupid for being so ignorant about this. When I told my dispatcher, who also drives, he said he's seen a lot of them. Canadians, Russians, French, etc. I don't think it's a bad idea I guess I never concieved we'd be getting recruits from our main allies. If it seems like it's stepping up I guess that speaks a lot about how recruiting is going on the mainland. Wonder what kind of bonuses they're getting. Have to remember to ask that next time.