This is getting a lot of attention, but it is really just another step in a series of policies that the Pentagon has begun using the last six months. Our @TaraCopp has written a ton about similar issues.
Some examples, starting here:
More, on the massive drop off on military members seeking citizenship following a memo from Mattis with new policies. militarytimes.com/news/your-mili…
And in March @TaraCopp reported how the Pentagon was shuttering naturalization centers at basic training sites. militarytimes.com/news/your-mili…
Others including @AlexHortonTX have done a lot of work tracking this too.
Taken together is the inescapable conclusion: the Pentagon under Jim Mattis is actively making it harder for members of the military, or those who would serve, to become American citizens.
And it IS Mattis. Regardless of if it’s orders from the White House, Mattis is the Secretary of Defense. He has the option of not being the man to execute these orders. He’s stayed, so he owns them.
Also for what it’s worth, this is coming at a time when the White House and Pentagon - and Army especially- are going through a self described manpower shortage. (You can argue if the Army actually needs 50k more, but trying to grow while limiting the pool is interesting.)
Anyway, personnel isn’t my core skill. Read @TaraCopp @LeoShane and the fine @MilitaryTimes papers for more on these issues.
MilitaryTimes.com
MilitaryTimes.com
UPDATE: @TaraCopp spells out what we know about this story. There's a lot of moving parts here. militarytimes.com/news/your-mili…
