American Jews in IDF + Americans in other armies in general.

[Buba]

In a fanfic I've come across a character, an USA citizen, who had served in the IDF. Thinking of it - what about service in e.g. the French Legion Etranger?
Is that legal? No consequences? Doesn't this lead to loss of citizenship?
I remember FDR issuing a pardon to US citizens who had served with the British Forces - has the law changed since that time?

 

[Husky_Khan]

It's legal for Americans to serve in foreign armies for the most part unless obviously they're against American interests. It's just discouraged in most cases.

The lead up to WW2 was different because we were pursuing an isolationist policy. I'm not sure if there was a shift in legal codes or interpretation or enforcement but you are right about the years leading up to WW2 that being different.

As for the other part of the question I can't actually think of a situation where an American is stripped of US Citizenship.

 

[The Whispering Monk]

In a fanfic I've come across a character, an USA citizen, who had served in the IDF. Thinking of it - what about service in e.g. the French Legion Etranger?
Is that legal? No consequences? Doesn't this lead to loss of citizenship?
I remember FDR issuing a pardon to US citizens who had served with the British Forces - has the law changed since that time?

Depends...there's a LONG history of US citizens serving in foreign militaries. Some have done it while still members of the US military, either as 'deserters' or with a 'wink and a nod' from the US govt.

Look at the number of military veterans that have volunteered to serve with Ukraine's military currently.

It is illegal to recruit US citizens to join a foreign military, but it is NOT illegal to volunteer to join a foreign military.

Caveat being that if that military then fights against America it's treason.

As for revoking citizenship...that's against the 14th amendment. Can't happen.

 

[Buba]

It is illegal to recruit US citizens to join a foreign military, but it is NOT illegal to volunteer to join a foreign military.

Don't you just love lawyers?



Did some digging:
A U.S. citizen/noncitizen national who committed or commits one of the following acts during the time period indicated below voluntarily and with the intent to lose U.S. nationality will be found by the Department to have lost U.S. nationality:
[...]
Entering, or serving in, the armed forces of a foreign state if (A) such armed forces are engaged in hostilities against the United States; or (B) such persons serve as a commissioned or noncommissioned officer.

So, it is OK to be a private in the FFL, IDF etc., but becoming a Corporal or higher leads to "expatriation"?

7 FAM 1270 MILITARY SERVICE AND LOSS OF NATIONALITY

fam.state.gov