The recruitment of immigrants in the Spanish armed forces: causes and potential consequences

Abstract

This article examines the reasons that have motivated the decision to initiate immigrants’ recruitment in the Spanish Armed Forces. The principal reason lies in the necessity to cover the job vacancies of the professional army. At the same time the consequences that the measure can have for the immigrants and for the Armed Forces are analysed. The principal conclusion is that the recruitment can have positive effects for both implied parts, but this is going to request of the armies the respect of the cultural diversity of the immigrant soldiers.