Is it possible for a not American citizen to join the American Army?

Question

More specifically: a friend of mine wants to know if it is possible for him to join the U.S. Army. He is 22 years old, from Ghana (where he actually lives).
If yes, how can he get the visa to reach the U.S. and looking for a recruitng center? Thanks everyone!

Answer 1

YES to your QUESTION


Citizenship

While there is a statutory requirement that only a United States Citizen may become a commissioned officer, this is not true for enlistment. Certain non-citizens can enlist in the United States Armed Forces. To be eligible to enlist, a non-citizen must:


(1) Entered the United States on a permanent residence visa or has an Alien Registration Receipt Card (INS Form 1-551/I-551 greencard or stamped I-94), and

(2) Established a bona fide residence, and

(3) Established a home of record in the United States.

The visa and/or "greencard" must have sufficient time remaining on it (expiration date) to be valid during the entire term on enlistment. While non-citizens may enlist in the U.S. Military, they are not allowed to reenlist (stay in beyond their first term of service), unless they first become U.S.

The Department of Defense and the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) examined ways to streamline the processing of certain naturalization (citizenship) applications for military servicemembers. Several changes have been implemented which should substantially reduce the time for processing applications. Consequently, much of the application processing will now be done at the servicemember's command, and all naturalization applications based upon qualifying military service will be sent to a unified processing center, regardless of the applicant's residence. The INS has dedicated a point of contact to discuss issues regarding specific applications with a single representative from each of the Armed Forces.

The information here has been derived from the U.S. Navy's Guide to Naturalization, but should be equally applicable to members of all the United States armed forces. Additionally, interested individuals should review the Immigration and Naturalization Service's A Guide to Naturalization (Form M-476). Information and forms regarding the naturalization process may be obtained from the INS Website at www.ins.usdoj.gov

Answer 2

like nearly everyone has said you need to be an american citizen, He may be able to get a work visa but has to have a job in the states when applying for the Visa, Best thing he could do is to email the help center at the US army home page and they will give him the correct information an how to join. Or he could try and get a job as a civilian on a base sometimes that helps, I have seen people do that when i lived with my ex who was in the US army.

Answer 3

To be eligible to enlist, a non-citizen must have:

(1) Entered the United States on a permanent residence visa or have an Alien Registration Receipt Card (INS Form 1-551/I-551 greencard or stamped I-94), and

(2) Established a bona fide residence, and

(3) Established a home of record in the United States.

Answer 4

Yes. As long as you pass the background checks and work through a recruiter. There are some jobs which for security reasons will require you to be a US Citizen. Some people enlist into the US military and then work on US citizenship. The Army has been pushing this citizenship program, especially in light of some non-citizens who have been killed in service to the US.

Answer 5

You cannot join the US Army unless you are a US citizen, have a US background, or green card. You can only get a green card if you live in the states for 5 years or marry a US citizen. In order to move to the United States you have to get a resident card. You can obtain a resident card by first getting a job in the US. and there should be a recruiting station somewhere in your town go on www.goarmy.com and use the recruiting station locator

Answer 6

Yes, of course, they can join the military...provided they don't have a record in their country. You see all the time in the news (last week there was a ceremony in New York) where a judge gave the oath to several hundred people already in the military, to become American citizens. Just tell him to bring his paperwork, showing that he has a diploma from high school or an equivalent. His passport and birth certificate. Tell him that he has to have the desire to "leave" his country behind, because if he gets in the military and then later takes the oath of a US citizen, they has has to state that he has no ties to Ghana.

Answer 7

the policies may have changed but yes, non-citizens can sign up. in fact there is an incentive behind this, you can earn citizenship for family members.

Now I know this was policy about 5 years ago, don't know if it changed.

My dad, and several uncles all joined up during Vietnam and earned their citizenship's, hell my dad was in the army and was standing guard over president Johnson and the white house before he was ever made a citizen (not bad for a poor kid from colombia)

your friend may want to check out the army's website for more details and assistance.

Best of luck to him.

Answer 8

The Army is so desperate right now, they'll take anyone. Have him talk to a recruiter. Ask them about the Visa process. I guarantee you they've done it before so they should know all the answers to your questions

Answer 9

Yes. He needs to talk to an Army Recruiter to start the process.

Answer 10

I know of several Germans that have been working for the US Army as civilans here joining the US Army.