Immigrants and the US Army: A Study in Readiness and the American Dream

The major contributions of immigrants to the elements of American national power Economic, Political, and Military evokes a powerful narrative, promoting US interests and values throughout the world. This monograph examines three immigrant groups, the Irish, the Mexicans and the Chinese. Today, all three groups comprise significant diaspora populations in the United States. They offer unique insights and as well as continuities between past, present, and future immigration and US Army service. Immigration policy affected the level of inclusion and integration these groups experienced in American society and concomitantly their representation in the US Army. Currently, immigrants comprise nearly five percent of yearly Regular Army and Army Reserve accessions. For the US Army to gain increased access to the immigrant population, this monograph recommends continuing the Military Accessions Vital to the National Interest MAVNI program, with a proven track record of enlisting high-quality non-citizens, and the enlistment of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals DACA immigrants, mainly represented by Mexican youth. These programs greatly expand the recruiting market and provide the US Army with needed strategic depth in manpower and key skills vital to the national interest.