Immigration to US and the USN

[Frobisher]

Not sure if I've got the right forum, but thought that I'd have more chance of finding those 'In the know' in regards to this subject here.


Im 16, almost 17, in my last 18 months of education before moving on to either university or elsewhere, and the idea of joining the US forces popped up. Particularly the USN. Most of you are probably thinking "yeah, so? Good for you" by this stage, but my problem is, that I'm not a US citizen. Just a few questions...

1. Would I be able to apply whilst on a visa, and if successful, then get citizenship? How hard is it to get US citizenship? Would I have to relinquish my Australian and Irish?

2. For those in the USN who read this forum, would you recommend it? Anyone here done something similar? If so, how did you find immigrating and joining? Is this not such a great idea?

Any additional info, experiences, comments all welcome.

Thanks in advance for any replies.

[Jimlad]

IIRC you can join, but only as a rating. Only US Citizens are allowed to be an officer. I think that the USA used to run recruiting offices in places like the phillipines for non nationals to join, so its definitely not a problem to do.

[Check 6]

Since 4 July 2002, non-citizen members of U.S. armed forces are eligible for U.S. citizenship immediately. Prior to this date eligibility started after three years.



:) :) :D :D

[ihoharv]

While you do not need to be a US citizen to joint any branch of the US armed services, you do need to be a legal resident.

It's not possible to enter the USA on any type of visa (visitor/work/study, etc.) and then apply for the armed forces. Otherwise, anybody would be able to enlist in the US armed services by taking a two-week package deal to Disneyworld, then walk into an Orlando recruiting station, join-up, and become a citizen in short-shrift...

Legal residency (the proverbial "green card") has to be established, and this is increasingly difficult. It's a bureacratic nightmare and the recent folding of the inept Immigration and Naturalization Services into the probably equally inept Department of Homeland Security is unlikely to improve the outlook.

However, your posting indicates at least joint-Irish citizenship, and therein may lie your best hope. Owing to the influence of the "Murphia" on Capitol Hill it's a bit easier for those from the Emerald Isle to establish legal US residency.

I advise that you seek the service of an immigration-specialist attorney, be prepared to wait awhile, and keep your fingers crossed.

Good luck!