by Sterling » Sun Feb 09, 2014 11:46 am
Question: Can a non-U.S. Citizen join the United States Military? xxx Answer: Yes. A non-citizen can enlist in the military. However, federal law prohibits non-citizens from becoming commission or warrant officers. xxx In order for a non-citizen to enlist in the military, he/she must first be a legal immigrant(with a green card), permamently residing in the United States. It?s important to note that the military cannot and will not assist in the immigration process. One must immigrate first, using normal immigration quotas and procedures, and -- once they?ve established an address in the United States -- they can find a recruiter?s office and apply for enlistment. xxx http://usmilitary.about.com/od/joiningthemilitary/f/noncitizen.htm xxx xxx Citizenship xxx 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. Citizens. However, there are accelerated citizenship procedures for non-citizens on active duty. For details, see our article, U.S. Citizenship in the Military. xxx I get lots of email from non-U.S. citizens, who do not live in the U.S., asking how they can join the U.S. Military. Quite simply, you can?t. In order to join any branch of the United States Military, one must either be a U.S. Citizen, or one must be a legal immigrant, currently living in the United States, with a "green card." The United States Military cannot and will not assist in the immigration process. In order to join the U.S. Military, one must legally immigrate first, and then apply to join the military, once they are living in the U.S. xxx For enlistment purposes, citizens of the United States include citizens of: Guam, Puerto Rico, The U.S. Virgin Islands,The Northern Marianas Islands, American Samoa, The Federated States of Micronesia, and The Republic of the Marshall Islands. xxx Not all non-citizens may be eligible to enlist. Applicants who have been residents of countries considered hostile to the interests of the United States require a waiver. See your local recruiter for the most current list of countries considered hostile to the interests of the United States. xxx While non-citizens may enlist, they will find their job choices extremely limited. DOD policy prohibits granting security clearances to non-U.S. Citizens. Therefore, non-Citizens. who enlist in the United States military will be limited to those jobs which do not require a security clearance. xxx http://usmilitary.about.com/od/joiningthemilitary/a/enlstandards_2.htm xxx xxx The basic qualifications for enlistment in the U.S. Army include: ? being from 17 to 34 years old ? be a U.S. citizen or resident alien,(must have the I-551) ? have a high school diploma or equivalent(such as a GED) ? be single with no children or married with 2 or less children ? pass the ASVAB test and ? pass the physical xxx Non-citizens may enlist, but cannot reenlist(extend their enlistment beyond their first term of service) unless they become naturalized U.S. citizens. However, after service of three years, additional residency requirements for citizenship can be waived. The Military does not assist in immigration naturalization process. For enlistment purposes, the United States includes Guam, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, The Northern Marianas Islands, American Samoa, Federated States of Micronesia, and the Marshall Islands. Citizens of certain countries may require a waiver to enlist. These include citizens of countries considered hostile to the interests of the United States. xxx http://www.army.com/enlist/active-duty-requirements.html I hope this helps, good luck.