“There already is an expedited military path to citizenship. I know a guy who joined to go fight in Iraq because he wanted to sponsor his mother who is old and sick.”

Yes, but those are not the classified jobs. There are a vast number of jobs not open to non citizens. I was surprised to find just how many immigrant enlisted personnel are in the ranks earning the citizenship for service deal.

If you want a professional force you have to pay professional rates for your experienced personnel. I know people supposedly serve because of patriotism, adventure, and other self sacrificing reasons. That works for many for a few years, but for most a choice will eventually be made between family and career. The pay and retirement system is what motivates married service members to stay in.

If someone does 4-5 years of service, deploying 3 or 4 times, what more do you expect in the name of patriotism? Deployment is not a 9-5 job. It is a 24 hour job. Imagine going to work one day and then just not coming home from the office for 6 months to a year. When service is voluntary you cannot expect more. Anyone faced with the decision to go or stay will feel they have done enough for the country. Let someone else take a turn being patriotic.