Can someone who is in the process of getting a green card (already submitted) join the military?

SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 Aug 2016 01:30:13 -0400

He's been told he can't join unless he has his green card. I've seen people get naturalized after basic, is this recruiter full of it? Or can he proceed? He currently has his bachelors in Finance (not sure from where, I can grab those details from him later). And what steps should he take if the recruiter is "too lazy"?

Update:

Spouse is a naturalized citizen, he has is papers and is here legally for work

Response by SMSgt Tony Barnes made Aug 10 at 2016 1:31 AM

SMSgt Tony Barnes — Wed, 10 Aug 2016 01:31:31 -0400

The green card is not the same as being naturalized...proves he is here within the law.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Aug 10 at 2016 1:53 AM

Capt Seid Waddell — Wed, 10 Aug 2016 01:53:12 -0400

He is close to aging out, so he will have to get in quick if he is to make it.

Response by ENS Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 10 at 2016 2:28 AM

ENS Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 Aug 2016 02:28:42 -0400

SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member does he have his heart set on the Army? There are several jobs for Officers in the Navy that will accept him with his age and naturalized status.

Response by SGT Monica Brooks made Aug 10 at 2016 3:42 AM

SGT Monica Brooks — Wed, 10 Aug 2016 03:42:52 -0400

Depends on what he's trying to do. If he's not naturalized, he cannot get a security clearance. No clearance means no chance for being an officer or in any specialty requiring a clearance.
There is a program that allows non-citizens to apply for citizenship through service but it's not a guaranteed thing.
Also, the university he attended must be an accepted university for credit. I'd ask a university student adviser about that before getting his hopes up.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 10 at 2016 5:16 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 Aug 2016 05:16:37 -0400

If he is naturalized, then he can have any MOS that he qualifies for (ASVAB test).
If he only has a green card, then he can only qualify for a handful of MOSs, such as 68W, 74D, 88M, Diver, and I think one more, provided his ASVAB is high enough.
Naturalization is like one is a citizen, like you and me. Green Card is like a permit to live ane work here.
With a Batchelor degree from a qualified school, whether international or not, he would be a SPC.
Also, if has a green card he needs to get his butt to a recruiter fast because he is about to be DQ'ed by age.

Reference: I was a recruiter from 2010-2013. I put in lots of foreigners in the Army.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 10 at 2016 12:41 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 Aug 2016 12:41:02 -0400

I joined with a Green card. Not sure if there is such thing as an interim Green Card though.

Response by SFC J Fullerton made Aug 10 at 2016 1:59 PM

SFC J Fullerton — Wed, 10 Aug 2016 13:59:26 -0400

AR 601-210
(2) For aliens. Applicants must present their INS Form I–551 (Permanent Residence Card) showing that the person
has been admitted to the United States for permanent residence. INS I–551 cards issued after 1989 are only valid for 10
years and must be renewed. Additionally, any INS I–551 card with an expiration date within 6 months of the accession
date must be renewed. Applicants with expired cards keep their permanent residence status; however, they must apply
for renewal of their permanent residence status INS I–551 card and must obtain verification in the form of an original
receipt from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services indicating that the applicant has paid for an INS I–90
(Application to Replace Permanent Resident) renewal application prior to shipment to training. INS I–151 cards are no
longer valid and applicant must obtain an INS I–551 card. Resident alien cards without the picture of the applicant are
invalid for enlistment purposes. Resident aliens must provide proof of place of birth.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 10 at 2016 4:07 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 Aug 2016 16:07:21 -0400

The applicant must have a green card. Naturalization is different. Green card makes them a legal resident. Naturalization makes them a citizen.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 10 at 2016 4:56 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 Aug 2016 16:56:57 -0400

No he/she needs a green card unless they are 09L if that exception still exists. In either case they still need a visa of some sort.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 10 at 2016 5:05 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 Aug 2016 17:05:10 -0400

Also you have to understand the difference between being naturalized and having a green card. Being naturalized means becoming a citizen, having a green card means being a permanent resident. You need a green card and meet other requirements in order to be naturalized. Permanent residents are given some exemptions from those requirements because of their military service should they choose. But one cannot get a green card by joining the military.

Response by SFC A.M. Drake made Aug 10 at 2016 9:00 PM

SFC A.M. Drake — Wed, 10 Aug 2016 21:00:52 -0400

Ok he can join the Reserves only with a Green Card, if he is naturalized then he can join active or reserves. So my question to you is: Why are you assuming the recruiter is lazy? You're only hearing one side of the story. Why don't you call his recruiter and ask these same questions you're asking the forum? Or better yet where is this applicant so I can ask him some questions "peel back the onion" and the true objection.

Response by SFC A.M. Drake made Aug 10 at 2016 9:01 PM

SFC A.M. Drake — Wed, 10 Aug 2016 21:01:52 -0400

Wait how old is this guy?

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 11 at 2016 11:08 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 11 Aug 2016 11:08:12 -0400

No, with the limited exception of the MAVNI program for persons with certainly highly needed skills such as surgeons or people fluent in rare and critical languages like Pashto.

Response by SFC William Adamek made Aug 11 at 2016 1:43 PM

SFC William Adamek — Thu, 11 Aug 2016 13:43:27 -0400

Just because your married to a US citizen does not mean that you are guaranteed a green card. Their are instances when an individual may not meet other legal requirements for its issuance. I know an immigration lawyer and through him learned about situations where if the couple wanted to be together, the US spouse had to go to the others country.

As such, we do have a rule that you must have one of the many green cards to qualify as a legal resident to be given the opportunity of applying to our military.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 14 at 2016 3:47 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 14 Aug 2016 15:47:44 -0400

Needs green card