As I am new to this forum let me post that I am a USMC veteran, now a middle aged man who worked as a contractor in Iraq in the past two out of three years. The discussion you all put forth is great, nice to see intelligent discussion of this subject (wouldn't count on that within that white building where our congress congregates anytime soon).
My Grandfather joined the US Army in WW2 from Malta and served, whereupon he was granted citizenship some time after the conclusion of hostilities (I don't have all the details). As America has historically been home to people from all over the world there is no reason whatsoever for not allowing qualified foreigners to enter and serve within the US military. Certainly the ability to vet and investigate any person already exists so that is not a reason to hesitate. Further, as the comment about people in the malls at Christmas time is accurate, it doesn't reflect the fact that all during the 90's the US military discarded many serving personnel for a variety of reasons, including paying incentives for early retirements and outright departures (this was the peace dividend from the end of the cold war). After September 11th, 2001 in the dark days that followed the US government, orated through our President, told people that the best contribution they could make for their country in this troubled time was to go out, shop, live as normally as possible and spend money (spur the economy). Nobody mentioned a need for more robust armed forces (in fact the Secretary of Defense was continuing to eye cuts and make them happen).
So now the US is suffering from lack of direction in reshaping the military following the end of the cold war and Desert Storm. This isn't new, this has happened many times in the US, but today's citizen is not as dedicated to service (on the average) as they were. Certainly the lack of draft puts less pressure on young people to serve and to be honest most who can choose college tend to enter it, rather then enter armed service (obviously not in all cases, but in general that is much more prevalent). Young people from less economically capable families tend to enter service, strictly a market driven principle. However there are many other opportunities generally available to young people now then 30-70 years ago, more lucrative, etc... and the incentives of being a good citizen do not seem to appeal as much to those at the age to enter service (17-24).
In my time in Iraq I found many US Soldiers well over 45 years old, Reservists, Guardsman, etc... So the overall loss of a flood of people to serve isn't such a surprise when looking at so many of the issues. It is sad, that in a time of building crisis, our young people do not want to flock to service, but after all there are many of us that have built the US to what it is today. And when few children of our "ruling class" are serving, the effects are felt much less deeply by those with the most influence to effect changes.
I welcome the idea of foreign nationals serving in the US armed forces in much greater number, though I do not believe in the creation of a "Foreign Legion" for the US. Integration has always tended to be more the norm for us (if we don't look too far back anyway) and would serve us better now, I think. Toughening the qualifications for particular service components or specialties may be necessary, but I do think that we can find ways to manage that whole concept without undue strain to the system. It is a sad commentary that the US would find less then adequate support from it's citizenry, but it is now a much more global world, and changes are always inevitable.
The irony for me is I was looking at potentially serving in the Canadian Armed Forces as a potential route to immigration up north (personal reasons) however I may have to drop some pounds and go see my local recruiter now. Thank you all for having this forum, it is a breath of fresh air on the internet.
Semper Fi,
Sean (SLUFEOD Short Little Ugly Fella Explosive Ordnance Disposal)