2006-06-16 05:32:50 · 32 answers · asked by psretirement 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
No and it can make the citizenship process move faster
2006-06-16 05:36:23 · answer #1 · answered by Layla 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
No, but someone can become a US citizen by serving in the military:
Exceptions to the requirements for permanent residency:
"The immigrant served in the US military for at least 3 years. The immigrant was discharged less than 6 months ago"
Immigrant Soldiers - officials estimate there are 31,000 foreign nationals serving in US Military
Wall St. Journal ^ | April 4, 2003 | WSJ
Two Marines killed in Iraq have now been awarded citizenship posthumously. Surprised that foreign nationals are serving in the U.S. military, and even doing the fighting and the dying? You shouldn't be.
Jose Gutierrez of Guatemala (profiled here1) and Jose Angel Garibay of Mexico, both from the Los Angeles area, were killed in the opening days of the war. Shortly before his death, Corporal Garibay wrote a letter to a former high school teacher explaining why he was willing to go to war: "I want to defend the country I plan to become a citizen of."
2006-06-16 05:41:16 · answer #2 · answered by Answer King 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have to be a citizen or legally in the country and be able to read and write english fluently.
Here is the info right from the Air Force's web site.
Question
I am a non-US citizen can I join?
Answer
Enlistment into the U.S. Air Force, or any branch of the U.S. military, by citizens of countries other than the United States is limited to those foreign nationals who are legally residing in the United States and possess an Immigrations and Naturalization Service Alien Registration Card (INS Form I-151/551 -- Commonly known as a "Green Card"). Applicants must be between 17 and 35; meet the mental, moral, and physical standards for enlistment; and must speak, read and write English fluently.
Note: The U.S. military branches cannot assist foreign nationals in obtaining admittance into the United States. Questions concerning immigration to the United States should be asked of the U.S. Embassy. Only after immigration procedures are completed and an applicant is legally residing in the United States may an application for enlistment be accepted.
Furthermore, in order to be commissioned an officer in the U.S. Air Force, one must be a native-born or naturalized United States citizen.
2006-06-16 05:37:00 · answer #3 · answered by sshazzam 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, you don't have to be a US citizen to serve in the US military. The time you are in the service counts towards your citizenship. So, basically if you serve you can become a citizen and if you are willing to fight in America's military then you really do deserve citizenship.
2006-06-16 05:37:47 · answer #4 · answered by melanie_shenell 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on what the military is accepting at the time of recruiting. My husband is a recruiter who has a kid wanting to join but he is not a U.S. citizen, he graduated high school but is not a naturalized citizen. Now he is working with homeland security to work something out for the kids to join. A few years ago, one could join the army(I won't speak for the other branches) and then apply for citizenship after serving, now the rules have changed. You just have to check with your local recruiter to see what's going on. It changes as the need for recruits occurs.
2006-06-16 05:37:55 · answer #5 · answered by malissa l 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, but you do have to be a LEGAL permanent Resident with a Green Card. You will not be eligible to be an Officer or have a job that requires a Clearance until you become a citizen, though.
residency requirements are waived/reduced for those in the military who wish to persue Citizenship.
2006-06-16 05:47:10 · answer #6 · answered by Mrsjvb 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No you do not have to be a citizen of the US to be in the military, though to get any kind of security clearence you do. I work in Legal Admin at MCAS Miramar and we have citizenship and immigration classes everyweek. I even work with a girl from France who isn't a citizen yet.
2006-06-16 05:41:53 · answer #7 · answered by johngrobmyer 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no, there are a lot of people in the navy military that are from the Philippines and other places...I'm not sure if you are automatically a citizen then, or if you have to live here or be in the military for a while to gain your citizenship, but you can join.
2006-06-16 05:37:07 · answer #8 · answered by ac 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The true answer is no, But you will have to swear allegiance to The United states of America. Plus your path to become an American citizen will be a very easy road to take.
2006-06-16 05:42:14 · answer #9 · answered by kilroymaster 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I saw a report on the news (major news network) where someone was serving in Iraq and not yet a U.S. citizen, so I'd say yes.
2006-06-16 05:35:42 · answer #10 · answered by seek_out_truth 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, you don't have to be a citizen to do most things in the military.
Certain military specialties, especially those with security clearances, require U.S. citizenship.
2006-06-16 05:35:35 · answer #11 · answered by John H 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋