If you serve in the military, should that give you a fast track to citizenship?

2014-09-10T11:11:18-04:00

So there have been several threads about service and citizenship.

My question is this, if a person swears to "support and defend the Constitution of the United States of America from all enemies, foreign and domestic", and they are not yet a citizen of the United States, should their military service put them on the fast track for citizenship?

I attended a citizenship service while on my mob, there were service members there from all branches, to include a couple of my Sailors. It was very moving and I was proud of all of them.

They raised their right hand and swore to support and defend our Country and Constitution, with the dream that one day they would become a citizen.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 10 at 2014 11:31 AM

2014-09-10T11:31:54-04:00

Having served with multiple non-U.S. citizens in my career I can honestly say each of them more than earned their citizenship. I see no reason, if someone who has served honorably, wishes to be a citizen of our great melting pot then we should move them to the head of the line.

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made Sep 10 at 2014 11:43 AM

2014-09-10T11:43:30-04:00

I may be mistaken, but I was under the impression that they were already provided a less cumbersome (for lack of a better term) track for citizenship. If not, then I would agree that they should be granted faster processing.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 10 at 2014 12:50 PM

2014-09-10T12:50:09-04:00

If you are willing to serve the US Army, then you should have an easier way of becoming a citizen.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 10 at 2014 1:35 PM

2014-09-10T13:35:34-04:00

Let's begin at the beginning. Ask our Presidential Candidates this question:
Name the differences between a citizen and a non-citizen. Can you answer?
Now let's change our thinking beyond being "born" on American turf with hereditary, feudal rights to pass on that title. What if EVERYONE had to perform some type of "universal service" for two years to EARN their citizenship, like immigrants do when they join the Armed Forces. They'd likely become more motivated and active citizens.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 10 at 2014 2:21 PM

2014-09-10T14:21:57-04:00

Yes. Expedited naturalization is appropriate for those who honorably complete service.

Is one year the appropriate amount of time? Is it right that all noncitizens who have served honorably in the U.S. armed forces on or after Sept. 11, 2001, can immediately file for citizenship? Whether or not they ever serve in combat?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 10 at 2014 2:50 PM

2014-09-10T14:50:24-04:00

I personally am a product of fast tracking my citizenship for being in the military. Instead of waiting the 5 years as a resident before you are eligible to apply for citizenship (which is also another expensive process cost me about 5k to get my residency and took 10 years for the process to be complete and citizenship is about another 1k) I received it after a year of being in the military and was a 2 month process once I actually applied for it. My views is if you have taken the oath of enlistment and came in fully knowing you could ultimately give your life for our country you should be able to get your citizenship. Also it helps with career advancement you can only go so far with out being a citizen. I know for me I wouldn't be where I am today doing the job I do that requires a clearance had I not got my citizenship!

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made Sep 10 at 2014 4:37 PM

2014-09-10T16:37:31-04:00

Absolutely... If a non-citizen volunteers and serves honorably in the armed forces, he or she should be given priority over others who have not served.

In many ways, these personnel are better "citizens" than those natural born Americans who have not served.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Sep 10 at 2014 4:38 PM

2014-09-10T16:38:24-04:00

Anyone wanting to be an American citizen and puts on a uniform and risks their life should go to the top of the list. Paying a lot of money towards citizenship means nothing compared to putting your life on the line.

Response by PO2 Tony Casler made Sep 10 at 2014 4:38 PM

2014-09-10T16:38:00-04:00

Absolutely. I served with guys from Ghana, Liberia, Jamaica, Peru, Mexico, Korea, Vietnam and probably others I have forgotten to list. They raised their hand just like those of us who were born citizens and deserve to have their service rewarded.

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 10 at 2014 5:34 PM

2014-09-10T17:34:42-04:00

Yes I believe that having served "honorably" (must have honorable and only honorable discharge) should provide for faster recognition as a citizen.

Response by CPT Jacob Swartout made Sep 10 at 2014 7:11 PM

2014-09-10T19:11:53-04:00

I have a high amount of respect for those who serve and want to become an American citizen. I would walk them up to the front of line any day. It takes dedication to serve in the military and they have shown their commitment to be part of a great military team.

Response by Capt Chris McVeigh made Sep 11 at 2014 2:34 AM

2014-09-11T02:34:03-04:00

They took the oath to serve in an organization that defends the country and potentially puts their life in danger doing so. That's more than most other people do to become citizens.

"I was born here, so I'm a citizen"
"I went to war for this country and risked my life"

You tell me.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 12 at 2014 1:34 PM

2014-09-12T13:34:23-04:00

If your willing to serve this wonderful country you should most definitely get push to the top of the list!

Response by SGT Richard H. made Sep 12 at 2014 2:05 PM

2014-09-12T14:05:21-04:00

I say yes. Military Service shows a heck of a lot more dedication to this country than a construction job. So, reward it accordingly.

Response by SSgt Gregory Guina made Sep 12 at 2014 3:26 PM

2014-09-12T15:26:59-04:00

If you are willing to place your life in jeopardy defending this country then they should fast track you for citizenship.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 14 at 2014 8:44 PM

2014-09-14T20:44:25-04:00

I do think military service should give prospective citizens an advantage. Just seems to make sense ... they are serving our country and want to gain citizenship, so put 'em on the fast track, as far as I'm concerned.

Response by SFC Boots Attaway made Sep 14 at 2014 9:43 PM

2014-09-14T21:43:51-04:00

I had the privilege to serve in the 45th IBCT with a young lady who is from Ukraine. She deployed with the 45th to Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan. She became a US citizen upon returning from Bosnia and is no a 1Lt after going to OCS. I am proud to call her my sister.

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made Sep 14 at 2014 10:03 PM

2014-09-14T22:03:39-04:00

The French (insert joke here) actually have a law that you can become a citizen "French by spilled blood" for those members of the French Foreign Legion injuries in combat.

Response by PO2 Rocky Kleeger made Sep 14 at 2014 10:20 PM

2014-09-14T22:20:25-04:00

Years ago, if you were an immigrant and served your 20 years in the US service, you were awarded citizenship

Response by A1C Thomas Leary made Oct 15 at 2014 2:55 PM

2014-10-15T14:55:14-04:00

If you are willing to serve, as long as you are here legally in the first place, you should automatically get citizenship at the end of your (first) enlistment, providing that you have served honorably.

Response by SFC Melker Johansson made Oct 22 at 2014 4:11 PM

2014-10-22T16:11:04-04:00

I think they should be awarded citizenship (without any application fees) upon the honorable completion of their first enlistment period.

Response by SSG Tim Everett made Nov 1 at 2014 4:26 PM

2014-11-01T16:26:09-04:00

Abso-freaking-lutely. At this point I've seen stories about fast-tracking. I think we're closer to a "service guarantees citizenship" model than we think. We should just go ahead and switch that to "citizenship guaranteed if you complete a four-year hitch honorably". We have people who ARE American citizens that won't volunteer to serve.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 13 at 2014 10:09 PM

2014-11-13T22:09:20-05:00

I feel that it depends. There are a lot of jobs that come with minimal increased risk compared to the civilian equivalent. Especially in times of peace. In those instances, I say no fasttrack, instead just simplify the process or reduce the expense involved. For those who serve in increased hazard positions, especially in wartime, then I'd say you've earned a fasttrack ticket.

Response by GySgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 14 at 2014 1:45 PM

2014-11-14T13:45:08-05:00

Not sure if anyone has said this yet or not, but those young men and women who join the Marines take a package to Recruit Training and get their citizenship the day before they graduate. So it's in place. 13 weeks is pretty quick I think.

Response by SGT William Howell made Dec 15 at 2014 11:50 AM

2014-12-15T11:50:22-05:00

If they will die for this country then they should be allowed to become citizens.

Response by PO1 Darren Martin made Mar 24 at 2016 11:14 AM

2016-03-24T11:14:28-04:00

YES! Some of the best service members I met were foreign nationals and they loved America. Most were great guys and they were willing to put on the uniform and had the courage to go into harms way.

Response by PO1 Brian Carlson made Mar 24 at 2016 12:59 PM

2016-03-24T12:59:23-04:00

I do not think that non US citizens should be allowed in the US military. I know that they do serve, and some do very well. I believe for security reasons they should not serve.

Response by PO1 Robert Johnson made May 25 at 2017 11:37 AM

2017-05-25T11:37:36-04:00

If an immigrant serves in the U.S. Military honorably, he or she should be given the fast track to citizenship. Having said this, I do not include illegal immigrants, though they probably would not enlist except under fraudulent conditions; false I.D. or other documents.