Immigrants in the U. S. Military

On July 4, 2009, as reported by the American Forces Press Service, U. S. Army General Raymond T. Odierno, commander of Multinational Forces in Iraq, presided over a nationalization ceremony at Camp Victory, Iraq during which 237 servicemembers deployed to Iraq became U.S. citizens.

"Odierno praised the newest U.S. citizens for the role they have played in building Iraq's future.  Pointing to their diversity, he called them 'an example to the Iraquis of a country that welcomes men and women from everywhere.'

Looking out over the group, Odierno said he'd be hard-pressed to describe them by the inscription on the Statue of Liberty, which begins, 'Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses.'

'To be honest, I'm not sure that its legendary inscription is applicable to this group here today, because when I look at the men and women sitting out in front of me here, I'm having a hard time because I don't see them in terms of tired, poor or huddled.'

'If I had to write a description of the soon-to-be citizens in this rotunda,' the general continued, 'I would say, 'Give me your brightest and your bravest.  Give me your warriors and your heroes who will enhance our great nation and strive to keep her safe.'"

Facts:

• 15 % of current U. S. Marine enlisted personnel and 11% of U. S. Army enlisted personnel are Hispanic (the largest current group of immigrants in the U. S.).  17.5% of them serve in front line positions.
• 4.9% of active duty officers and 6.9% of warrant officers are Hispanic.
• 11 % of the military deaths in Iraq have been Hispanic service personnel.  One of the first U. S. Army soldiers killed in the invasion was a young man from Guatamala who was not yet a citizen.
• By 2015, 20% of all 18 year olds in the U. S. will be of Hispanic heritage.
• The history of Hispanics in the U. S. military goes back to the Civil War when three were awarded the Medal of Honor for bravery.