Can non-U.S. citizens or permanent residents join the U.S. Military or be admitted to Military Academies?

Question

I'm from the Philippines and am currently in my junior year in high school. Ever since I was young it was my dream and ambition in life to join the United States Armed Forces. Now that I'm within a year of reaching college, I still don't have a green card but, I would like to find a way to be admitted to the United States Military Academy or if not possible, enlist. Help!! Can anyone give any suggestions or pointers in getting in, it would really mean alot.

Answer 1

You can enlist in the US military if and only if you are a legal resident. It is not clear that "permanent residence" (i.e., green card) status is necessary: there are other types of status (notably refugee or asylee, and of course noncitizen national) that may possibly qualify. This is an arcane field of immigration and military law.

(The relevant military sites are more restrictive. Here's what one says:

("Enlistment into the U.S. Navy, 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 Immigration 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.")

Since 1991, Filipinos have not been eligible for enlistment in the US Navy without first acquiring legal status in the USA. Re-reading your query, it seems that you may actually be living in the Philippines and not in the USA.

You cannot be an officer or an officer candidate, nor a student in one of the military academies, until you have been naturalized.

Expedited naturalization is available once you are enlisted. Until then you cannot get a security clearance.

Answer 2

Are you currently in the USA?

Once you get your green card you can join the military. If you are in the US military during a time of war (like now) you can get expedited citizenship.

I think the academies are for US Citizens first, but am not sure. I believe you need a Senator's recommendation for all the academies except maybe the Coast Guard.

Answer 3

I believe you have to have your green card. Definitly the academies or even officer is out. But there is nothing wrong in doing enlisted first. I did and it can actually be a plus career wise. If you are in the US simply go to a recruiter. Or go online and request to speak with one. If you are not in the US...... well the US military is not really that big on the Phillipines after losing the base.

Answer 4

with the green card you can enlist. You cannot attend any of the Academies unless you are a Citizen, as only Citizens may be Officers.

but you must be a HS graduate along with that Green card before you can enlist. the good news is, once you are in, your citizenship process is expedited( the waiting period is waived after I think 2 years)

Answer 5

Yes.
Some brazilians citizens joined de marines on the time when de Iraq invasion was happen.

I believe its a way to guarantee de permanent visa.

Answer 6

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Answer 7

I know you can but I don't know what you need. When my husband graduated from the Marines there was one guy who wasn't a citizen and he was graduating. I can't remember their wording but they gave him credit for that. Just call them. Good luck.

Answer 8

Yes.

Answer 9

yes you can join