Posted on Aug 10, 2016
Can someone who is in the process of getting a green card (already submitted) join the military?
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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
Update:
Spouse is a naturalized citizen, he has is papers and is here legally for work
Guidance
Recruiter
Immigration
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 15
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The applicant must have a green card. Naturalization is different. Green card makes them a legal resident. Naturalization makes them a citizen.
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SPC(P) (Join to see)
I'm aware, he's here legally on a Visa and waiting for his Green Card to get approved, he wants to naturalize via service
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LTC (Join to see)
SPC(P) (Join to see) - He must wait until he gets the green card first. To enlist he must be either a lawful permanent resident or a US citizen, unless he qualifies for the very limited MAVNI program, which is usually for surgeons, certain scientists and fluent speakers of critical languages such as Pashto.
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He is close to aging out, so he will have to get in quick if he is to make it.
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SPC(P) (Join to see)
That's why I'm asking away! He just turned 35, and I believe that is the cutoff
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Capt Seid Waddell
It is for the Army. The cutoff for Navy and Marines is lower, but the Air Force will accept recruits up to age 39.
http://www.stripes.com/news/air-force/air-force-raises-enlistee-age-limit-from-27-to-39-1.290578
http://www.stripes.com/news/air-force/air-force-raises-enlistee-age-limit-from-27-to-39-1.290578
Air Force raises enlistee age limit from 27 to 39
Thanks to a new Air Force policy announced Tuesday, enlisted recruits can now experience the joys of basic training in their late 30s.
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SFC (Join to see)
It's already too late if he's already 35. He has to ship to basic on or before his 35th birthday... Unless they got him an age waiver...
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The green card is not the same as being naturalized...proves he is here within the law.
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SPC(P) (Join to see)
SSG(P) Adam Koepke - He's here legally with papers, his spouse is a naturalized citizen. I will take him to the recruiters tomorrow, the one I trust at least. Thank you
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SPC(P) (Join to see)
SSG(P) Adam Koepke - What kind of positions would he not be able to get? He wants to pursue a 25 series position that require a Secret (at least 25N)
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SSG(P) Adam Koepke
SPC(P) (Join to see) - He might be able to get into 25 series but the job selection is not extensive when it comes to needing a clearance. It's also the end of the fiscal year so job selection is only what is available. If the recruiters can work a job through the ROC for him then they will but again there's a lot that goes into any job. Scores, physical, availability etc
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SSG (Join to see)
I was only able to get about five jobs coming in because I wasn't naturalized. I ended up becoming a Bradley Mech; doesn't make any sense that I was trusted with a vehicle and weapon system that could cause mass damage though. I because naturalized, and everything opened up to me.
R/ Steve
R/ Steve
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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.
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.
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SFC Bert Linson
Very true. Going through the process with my wife right now. I am retired Army and now DA Civilian. Been in Germany since 95. Now getting ready to move back to CONUS and the VISA process is a bitch.
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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.
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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.
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SPC(P) (Join to see)
I know the difference between the two. I called recruiters in different buildings and branches and got a similar answer, as long as he's here legally (with papers), meets other requirements (MEPS stuff) he can enlist W/O a green card. He's limited to non-cleared positions, but he will be naturalized once he graduates BCT. From there, he will fulfill his MOS duties in the reserve, unless he decides to reclass mid contract (which I did from 25N to 17C) he can be released by his commander and then pursue a cleared position.
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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.
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I joined with a Green card. Not sure if there is such thing as an interim Green Card though.
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TSgt (Join to see)
There is one. It's called a Provisional. It's usually issued when a foreign spouse is immigrating to the US in a marriage that is less than 2 years old. It's only good, if I recall correctly, for two years and you MUST petition to have the provisional status removed before a "permanent" green card is issued.
(source: spouse is a foreign national, married for a little of a year when we came to the US.)
(source: spouse is a foreign national, married for a little of a year when we came to the US.)
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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.
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.
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SPC(P) (Join to see)
SSG Duke Hall - I will keep you guys updated, he just walked into work from the recruiters office. Thank you
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SSG (Join to see)
SSG Duke Hall - Haha Yep. It was a long 3 years! When they released me, I felt like I was paroled!
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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.
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.
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