By Tommy Acosta
Sedona, AZ — I have an idea on how to help resolve the illegal immigrant problem in the U.S. while at the same time solving our military enlistment dilemma.
I think the best way to do so is to is to offer every male or female illegal immigrant who is of military age, has no criminal record, and can speak or is willing to learn how to speak English, an opportunity to join our armed forces, as a way of earning citizenship.
Illegal immigrants willing to join the military and even lay down their lives to protect our country would earn their right to call themselves Americans by enlisting.
Right now, our country is facing extremely low enlistment rates and further, our pool of able bodied and mentally capable young men and women is dwindling.
Members of the Gen Z generation, those born between 1997 and 2012, who are now of. military-age are far more less likely to enlist and serve.
One can be sure that the lack of a strong youth, and also the low scores of our young in reading, writing and math skills, in the long run will negatively affect our fighting power and readiness for war.
According to the Berkeley Political Review, Gen Z’s lack the patriotism and aversion to enlist or serve are mostly being fueled by the internet and social media.
Poor mental and physical health caused by social media has festered in the internet-addicted Gen Z.
According to the article, the Pentagon estimates that only about 23% of American young adults can meet physical military requirements, and of this 23% that are eligible to serve, only about 9% have any inclination to do so.
There is also the problem of young Americans viewing military service as a path to PTSD and mental health issues.
The article quotes a Defense Department survey, that, about 57% of young Americans who answered stated their concern that they would suffer from emotional or psychological problems after serving in the military, likely because Gen Z has largely seen media depictions of veterans suffering from PTSD and homelessness.
Additionally, applications to service academies have fallen drastically, with the Air Force Academy seeing a 28% drop and the Naval Academy seeing a 20% drop between 2021 and 2022, according to the article.
According to the article, platforms like TikTok are bastions of partisan and propagandistic anti-American content (fueled by Chinese ownership of the platform), which could be correlated to the decline in patriotism among Gen Z. This also contributes to a decline in confidence in the American military that is currently happening.
Gen Z’ simply do not want to serve, do not believe in the country, view enlistment in the armed services for stupid people only, could not meet the physical rigors a combat soldier needs, do not trust the government and are unwilling to kill, be maimed or die to keep what they consider a corrupt system in power.
The military needs to be re-stocked but Gen Z is tainted and cannot answer the call or fill the need. Our military is in trouble. And so is the country should another global conflict arise.
But for illegal immigrants there is motivation. A motivation that would refill our military with people who would fight for our country to become American citizens.
These able-bodied recruits from the immigrant pool are most likely stronger and willing to take risks by illegally entering our country, building a life, only to face deportation.
They have a solid reason to enlist. Freedom!
These new soldiers would be more motivated because at the end of their service they would be able to rebuild their lives and remain in the states with their loved ones who already are citizens.
Given a choice, whether to leave the country or serve in it’s military, I’ll bet these illegal immigrants would choose the former.
And those who are criminals, round them up and kick then the hell out, never to return.
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