From: "Rich Gauszka" 

Well Rome at one time went from citizen soldiers to mercenaries.  Alaric
and the Visigoths really appreciated that 

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2006/12/26/military_consi
ders_recruiting_foreigners/

The armed forces, already struggling to meet recruiting goals, are
considering expanding the number of noncitizens in the ranks -- including
disputed proposals to open recruiting stations overseas and putting more
immigrants on a faster track to US citizenship if they volunteer --
according to Pentagon officials.

Foreign citizens serving in the US military is a highly charged issue,
which could expose the Pentagon to criticism that it is essentially using
mercenaries to defend the country. Other analysts voice concern that a
large contingent of noncitizens under arms could jeopardize national
security or reflect badly on Americans' willingness to serve in uniform.

The idea of signing up foreigners who are seeking US citizenship is gaining
traction as a way to address a critical need for the Pentagon, while fully
absorbing some of the roughly one million immigrants that enter the United
States legally each year.

The proposal to induct more noncitizens, which is still largely on the
drawing board, has to clear a number of hurdles. So far, the Pentagon has
been quiet about specifics -- including who would be eligible to join,
where the recruiting stations would be, and what the minimum standards
might involve, including English proficiency. In the meantime, the Pentagon
and immigration authorities have expanded a program that accelerates
citizenship for legal residents who volunteer for the military.

..

Already, the Army and the Immigration and Customs Enforcement division of
the Department of Homeland Security have "made it easier for
green-card holders who do enlist to get their citizenship," Hilferty
said.

Other Army officials, who asked not to be identified, said personnel
officials are working with Congress and other parts of the government to
test the feasibility of going beyond US borders to recruit soldiers and
Marines.

Currently, Pentagon policy stipulates that only immigrants legally residing
in the United States are eligible to enlist. There are currently about
30,000 noncitizens who serve in the US armed forces, making up about 2
percent of the active-duty force, according to statistics from the military
and the Council on Foreign Relations. About 100 noncitizens have died in
Iraq and Afghanistan.

A recent change in US law, however, gave the Pentagon authority to bring
immigrants to the United States if it determines it is vital to national
security. So far, the Pentagon has not taken advantage of it, but the calls
are growing to take use the new authority.

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