Non-US citizens serving

2014-11-01T23:36:08-04:00

About 4 years ago I visited MCRD for one of my best friends graduation, and when the emcee made an announcement about recruits from 37 countries, it peaked my curiousity. Do we currently allow non-citizens to serve, and what is the promise upon discharge or graduation, are they promised citizenship? I know Mexican non-US citizens serve, but I had no idea we allow recruits from so many countries. There is some political propaganda going around about the POTUS giving away military jobs to illegals. If we have always done this, why is it coming up now. Do all the military services allow non-US citizens or just the USMC?

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 1 at 2014 11:41 PM

2014-11-01T23:41:55-04:00

We do have non-US citizens in the Army, but at a certain point they must either leave the service or become a citizen. I believe it is by the 10 year mark. There is no promise of citizenship for them or their family, however, it is considered easier.

Response by SFC Melker Johansson made Nov 2 at 2014 12:39 AM

2014-11-02T00:39:16-04:00

I used to be a non-US citizen serving in the Army, but I had to become a U.S. citizen and give up my native citizenship to obtain and maintain my security clearance.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 2 at 2014 12:45 AM

2014-11-02T00:45:27-04:00

Off the top of my head, considering the hour I'm writing this, I believe non-citizens serviing in the U.S. military are not "given" citizenship, but if they desire U.S. citizenship and apply while serving, then there are several requirements that are eased (not totally eliminated - such as time in the U.S.) and their application is "fast tracked". I believe my fellow sailor PO2 Ed C. would be able to provide more details on his experience.

As noted in other portions of this thread, those requiring security clearances are also required to go through the entire process either to obtain a clearance or to maintain the clearance.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 2 at 2014 12:58 AM

2014-11-02T00:58:36-04:00

I know the Air Force allows non-citizens to serve, but the jobs they can hold are severely limited.

Response by PO1 G. Leslie /Stiltner made Nov 2 at 2014 4:57 PM

2014-11-02T16:57:40-05:00

Well now here is a subject I can really respond to!! I joined the Navy in 1983 I was a German Citizen!! No promises were made to me and American Citizen ship was never Guaranteed. I came to the United States in 1969 with my Parents and 2 brothers, my older brother and I remained German Citizens but my younger brother was an American Citizen. This had to do with when my parents actually got married. Any how my first duty station I was at I had to have a Top Secret Clearance to get into a Building once a week for Quarters. As we were trying to do this we started by updating my immigration card. It was easier to get Naturalized at that time than to get an updated card, go figure. Now my naturalization certificate was dated back to my date of birth.
When my dad was in the Army in the 70's there were several Germans that were in the US Army and not on any Duty Swap program. There are Americans serving in other countries as soldiers and have been since WWI. There are people from the Philippines that are in the Navy and still Citizens of the Philippines. There are Puerto Ricans, Haitian's, Dominican Republicans and many people from the other Caribbean Isles.
However they are not illegal's !! There is proper paperwork and in todays Military I am sure many waivers.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 2 at 2014 8:06 PM

2014-11-02T20:06:51-05:00

I got my citizenship when I graduated basic training. I was a permanent resident before I shipped off. I had a really cool oath ceremony in front of all the parents and soldiers on family day.
But my mother needs to go through the process the old fashioned way.

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Jul 11 at 2015 7:27 PM

2015-07-11T19:27:08-04:00

We set a dangerous precedent here. I don't know if he was legal or not; but I am remembering the middle-eastern Major (?) who shot up many of our American soldiers; in Texas.

Response by Capt Jeff S. made Jul 13 at 2015 1:16 PM

2015-07-13T13:16:09-04:00

I believe all branches allow non-US citizens to serve. The Navy had an agreement with the Philippines and a lot of their cooks and non-technical rates had Filipinos in them. In fact, competition was fierce and they had to take tests and compete for the slots so we got their best people.

In my platoon in bootcamp, our guide was from Panama. At TBS, we had a two lieutenants from El Salvador. One played on the El Salvadorian basketball team at the Pan American games. His name was Milton Enrique Pasquale Pachecko. Can't say much for his professionalism as he would smoke cigarettes while on the humps... but he did teach us some stuff about how they conduct ambushes and he was alright. I'd never remember his name after all these years if I didn't like him LOL.

I would imagine that for some, serving in our military is a pathway to get citizenship in our country. If a person is willing to put their life on the line for our liberty and freedoms, and if they are willing to assimilate into our culture, then they rightly ought to be considered for citizenship!

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Jul 13 at 2015 1:28 PM

2015-07-13T13:28:06-04:00

I've served alongside non citizens since 1999 so It's been a program for at least that long...

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Jul 14 at 2015 12:19 PM

2015-07-14T12:19:15-04:00

I Love your profile photo; SSG (P) Michael LoGiudice!

Response by PO1 Glenn Boucher made Jul 14 at 2015 1:55 PM

2015-07-14T13:55:58-04:00

Any non US citizen serving in the US Military has to apply for citizenship just like everyone else. The only benefit, and I know it does apply OCONUS but not sure if it applies in CONUS, is that the time limit is reduced. If I recall you need to be a Green Card / legal resident for 5 years minimum before applying for your citizenship, and while stationed overseas its reduced to 3 years.

Response by PO2 Robert Cuminale made Jul 23 at 2015 8:53 PM

2015-07-23T20:53:29-04:00

I don't know about now But I served with a CE3 who was from Ecuador who wasn't a citizen...yet. He was a legal immigrant with papers and a Green Card and wanted to become a US citizen.
The old Steward rating that used to staff the Commissioned officers messes were mostly Filipinos who were not US citizens. Most of the were PO2s because you had to have US citizenship to go to E6. I knew one Chief Celestial who was the highest ranked Filipino I've ever known. The Philippines doesn't allow dual citizenship (the US doesn't either) and most planned to retire from the Navy and live like kings when they returned home.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 13 at 2016 4:02 AM

2016-06-13T04:02:19-04:00

I was born and raised in Canada. I had my citizenship beforehand (dual citizen, born of a native resident outside the country) though so I guess I am the exception to the premise of this topic?

Response by SPC Michelle Nelson - Thompson made May 10 at 2017 5:19 PM

2017-05-10T17:19:52-04:00

My mother and my aunt were both born in Canada. The moved to Florida when they were 12 and 3. My mother served in Army in the early '70's for four years. Her becoming a citizen was never an opportunity. My aunt in the Navy. Again it wasn't an opportunity. I served with a Brit, born in the Canary Islands, in Germany in '95. So non citizens have been serving since the 70's, but not given the chance to become citizens. On top of that my mother and Aunt did not have up to date green cards when they were sworn in. My adoptive grandparents didn't bother to keep them updated once they got here. Didn't seem to bother the Military in the least..

Response by SPC William Szkromiuk made Oct 15 at 2024 10:15 PM

2024-10-15T22:15:35-04:00

My parents were Ukrainian Displaced Persons after WWII. Compliments of the German Army abduction for slave labor.
I was born in West Germany. The United States agreed to allow some 250,000 to come to the USA. We arrived at Ellis Island on the USS Buckner a troop transport in 1950. All three of us received Green Cards.
I enlisted in the US Army as my way of paying forward and became a citizen while in the Army. One thing had nothing to do with the other. The requirements as I recall were 5 years legal residency and to pass a test. And a background investigation. I took that oath in Uniform. Both of my parents also became US Citizens. My father flew the Stars and Stripes every day as a Thank You!