@ SASLess
Actually a degree isn't much use to you - I have one of those.... There's still a limit on the number of visas and the limit is used up pretty quickly by other professions that are considered more vital than aviation. Besides which the hoops the employer has to jump through put most of them off.
Both my wife and I were offered Visa's by our respective employers based on our jobs in the US, but neither of them could actually get the Immigration dept to agree.
I can't complain, that's the law of the land and you work/live to it.
@arismount
I looked into this route actually. This seems to be a popular misconception - when the US mil. say they give citizenship to foreigners who serve in the armed forces, they are talking about people who already have a green card or other permanent rights to stay in the USA.
You can't just join up as a foreigner on a "holiday visa" or any other temporary visa, do a tour in Iraq and then get a passport. They won't take you unless you're already legally permanent in the country.
BG.