Upping Foreign Recruits?:

Dec. 27, 2006

Audio of this article is brought to you by the Air & Space Forces Association, honoring and supporting our Airmen, Guardians, and their families. Find out more at afa.org

According to the Boston Globe, the Pentagon quietly has been pursuing a plan to increase the number of noncitizens it recruits into the armed forces to counter a weak recruiting market and to support a plan to expand the land forces. The obvious lure for foreigners is to gain US citizenship. The Globe reports that “Pentagon officials” are working with Congress on the issue.

Audio of this article is brought to you by the Air & Space Forces Association, honoring and supporting our Airmen, Guardians, and their families. Find out more at afa.org

Trending Stories

F-35s Deploy Closer to Middle East After US Talks with Iran

F-16 Pilot Becomes First Air Guardsman to Win Prestigious Shine Award

Air Force Academy Leaders Ousted in Shake Up

Beast in the Machine

Related

Where Things Stand with Every Planned V-22 Fix

Feb. 11, 2026
The Air Force’s CV-22 Osprey fleet started receiving new proprotor gearboxes last month—and officials say they’re planning a comprehensive midlife upgrade for the V-22 to address concerns over its safety and reliability. 

Comms Problems Hold Up C-130J Deliveries

Feb. 11, 2026
The Air Force is delaying deliveries of new C-130J Super Hercules aircraft amid problems with obsolete components and new communications equipment, industry and service officials say.

NASA Administrator Eyes Greater Collaboration with Pentagon

Feb. 11, 2026
While NASA and the Defense Department have different objectives in space, the two agencies can collaborate more to avoid duplicative spending and take better advantage of mutually beneficial technology development, says NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman.

L3Harris Pitches Cruise Missiles for SOCOM’s Air Tractor

Feb. 10, 2026
When U.S. Special Operations Command and the Air Force first developed requirements for its Armed Overwatch program, planners envisioned a rugged, lightweight, low-cost combat scout aircraft capable of supporting counterinsurgency missions. Now that they've acquired OA-1K Skyraider II, however, the command and its prime contractor are looking to up-arm their modified Air Tractor cropduster to carry low-cost cruise missiles.

F-35s Deploy Closer to Middle East After US Talks with Iran

Feb. 9, 2026
More stealthy U.S. fighter jets moved closer to the Middle East on Feb. 9, with a half dozen F–35A Lightning II fifth-generation planes landing at RAF Lakenheath, U.K., after crossing the Atlantic, flight tracking data and air traffic control communications show.