Would it have been possible at any time, for the US to form a French style foreign legion? Maybe during a period of isolationist sentiment, a foreign legion is formed to allow the US to wage foreign wars without risking US lives. The USFL would be headquartered outside CONUS to eliminate the possibility of a coup, and all recruits must assume a non de guerre. Just like in France, those who successfully serve say 5 years in the foreign legion are offered citizenship.
Could it start off as an end run around isolationism, and gradually evolve into a celebrated part of the US military? And, would the existence of a US foreign legion change the debate around immigration ("people from all over the world come here to fight under our flag, so we should welcome them").
Could it start off as an end run around isolationism, and gradually evolve into a celebrated part of the US military? And, would the existence of a US foreign legion change the debate around immigration ("people from all over the world come here to fight under our flag, so we should welcome them").