Army recruitment officials are calling for a review of the rules on foreigners serving in the British forces after a surge of interest from Poles.
Foreigners are currently barred from joining up unless they first live here for five years and become British citizens, while those from Commonwealth countries can sign up at any time.
But with the Army struggling against a serious manpower shortage, senior officers revealed yesterday that the level of interest from Polish immigrant workers has prompted them to consider changes in the regulations.
Should we change the rules to let Poles join the British Army? | the Daily Mail
If managed well, a good idea. There's nothing new in this, certainly precedents have been set in the British Army with the Gurkhas and Commonwealth soliders.
What line would be best is a matter for debate, whether a Polish Regiment or disperse them around the forces if they have a particular skill or interest. Or indeed establish a 'British Foreign Legion' in the same vein as the French do.
I would also imagine language ability etc would be taken into account and like other Non-British soldiers they would be barred from joing the Army Intelligence Corps etc.
It would also be a great way for many immigrants to intergrate into British society, the real immersion in the British military will bring them closer to Britain and certainly allow them to understand what British values are and allegience to the Queen etc. Though I would still rather have restricted numbers, rather than an open recruitment.
Certainly the Poles already have a proud record in serving the UK, as many airmen, sailors and soliders made their way to fight the Nazi war machine in the Second World War.