June 27, 2007:
Many people were surprised to find
that three of the six Spanish soldiers, killed by a car bomb in Lebanon
recently, were from South America. About six percent of Spanish military
personnel are foreign born, and that is not an unusual situation in many
European countries. Even in the United States, about five percent of all
military personnel are foreign born, and the percentage in the British military
is close to ten percent. Spain and France have "Foreign Legions," while Britain
has its Gurkha regiment. Now that most armed forces in Europe are ditching
conscription, the use of foreigners in the ranks is becoming more popular. Then
again, filling out the volunteer military with ambitious foreigners is a
tradition that goes back to the Roman empire, and even earlier.
About eleven percent of the Spanish troops sent to
Lebanon were foreign born, and this has caused some to question how the foreign
troops are used. Historically, the foreigners were typically used to do the
most dangerous jobs. But Latin Americans see enlisting in European armed forces
as an easy way to get legal entry to the European Union, and much better
economic opportunities. The Spanish Legion (the "Foreign" tag has been
dropped), prefers Spanish speaking foreign recruits from South America. Most of
those joining are from Colombia and Ecuador. Foreign legions are typically full
of gung-ho troops who feel slighted if they don't get the most dangerous jobs.
It's less of a political liability when foreign, instead of native, troops are
killed in action. Or it used to be. Until the advent of international, 24/7
media operations, it was difficult for the parents of the dead foreign soldier
to be reached by reporters. That is no longer the case. But the enthusiastic
foreign troops in elite units are still useful for dangerous assignments that
require dedication and fearlessness. If reporters dig deep enough, they will
find a young guy who wanted some high risk adventure. Sometimes the risk wins.