How would you react if a military member has no interest in becoming a US Citizen?

PO1 Rick Serviss — Thu, 19 Jan 2017 05:16:28 -0500

Response by CSM Chuck Stafford made Jan 19 at 2017 7:08 AM

CSM Chuck Stafford — Thu, 19 Jan 2017 07:08:14 -0500

I've led all sorts - Brits, Aussies, and Latinos from all over -- their interest in citizenship had no bearing on the job if they were doing the job. That said, if they were interested, I would assist where I could...

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 19 at 2017 9:22 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 19 Jan 2017 09:22:03 -0500

meh.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 19 at 2017 11:03 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 19 Jan 2017 11:03:53 -0500

PO1 Rick Serviss I could care less, unless said SM job requires a clearance and then I will assist that person on becoming a citizen IOT get such clearance.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 19 at 2017 2:17 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 19 Jan 2017 14:17:29 -0500

I wouldn't care. As long as they are in uniform and doing the job they're trained to do and don't hinder OPTEMPO and OPSEC, then what they do with their life when their hitch is done is none of my concern.

Response by SSG Jeremy Sharp made Jan 19 at 2017 7:52 PM

SSG Jeremy Sharp — Thu, 19 Jan 2017 19:52:08 -0500

I served with several men and women over the years that were proud citizens of Puerto Rico who served with honor in the US Army. All brothers and sisters in arms question never came up.

Response by MAJ Raúl Rovira made Jan 20 at 2017 5:03 PM

MAJ Raúl Rovira — Fri, 20 Jan 2017 17:03:45 -0500

No reaction. It is still his or her call. Treatment is the same for everyone. "...with liberty and justice for all"

Response by PO2 Rodney Price made Jan 24 at 2017 7:22 AM

PO2 Rodney Price — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 07:22:09 -0500

Put them out and send them back to where they come.

Response by TSgt Daniel Wareham made Jan 24 at 2017 8:22 AM

TSgt Daniel Wareham — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 08:22:30 -0500

Why are they in the U.S. Military in the first place? You should have to be a Citizen to join the military.

Response by CMSgt Gary Fichman made Jan 24 at 2017 9:10 AM

CMSgt Gary Fichman — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 09:10:17 -0500

Not much of any response, however future considerations may be maybe changed depending on situation.

Response by SGT Arno Paul Schumann made Jan 24 at 2017 9:23 AM

SGT Arno Paul Schumann — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 09:23:44 -0500

The reason he serves doesn't concern me . How he serves does.

Response by SSG Ray Elliott made Jan 24 at 2017 9:58 AM

SSG Ray Elliott — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 09:58:39 -0500

Citizenship is a personal decision, if they are doing their job and fulfilling their enlistment obligation then that's all you can demand from them. I would hope that people serving in the military would want to be citizens but it obviously isn't a requirement or they wouldn't be there. There are many reasons that people want to serve, all we can require is that they do their duty.

Response by GySgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 24 at 2017 2:59 PM

GySgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 14:59:28 -0500

What the heck are you doing in our military, you need to go back to whereever you think you have an allegiance to. If you have no allegiance to the UNITED STATES you should not be in our military. What are you doing here getting free training at our expence, learning how and why we do things at our expense. They need to Go and now.

Response by SSgt Brad Becker made Jan 24 at 2017 3:18 PM

SSgt Brad Becker — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 15:18:21 -0500

In the Marines I had a British national who was living with or married to an American he had a green card, They broke up during his enlistment after his 4 years he went back to England.

Response by PO2 Weaver Brian made Jan 24 at 2017 6:32 PM

PO2 Weaver Brian — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 18:32:08 -0500

I remember on my first ship we had a few foreign nationals, in additional to the usual compliment of Filipinos, in our crew. I didn't know what their intentions were as far as becoming US citizens, I was just aware of them. As an e-2 at the time, it wasn't really my concern. Generally they were doing the same kinds of jobs as I was, all the shit details reserved for the lowest enlisted men.

Response by MCPO Lee Oslund made Jan 24 at 2017 9:30 PM

MCPO Lee Oslund — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 21:30:06 -0500

In these days of the all-volunteer force, a non-citizen certainly has no requirement to serve, or even to register. If said person was serving honorably, and does the job I can't see it as being a big deal. It's not like a non-citizen is going to be placed in a position that would give them access to things a non-citizen should not see. I served an entire career in submarines and just about the entire crew had a secret clearance or above. Anyone who did not was not allowed access to anything that would be considered sensitive.

EMCM(SS) USN, Ret.

Response by MSG Scott Milne made Jan 24 at 2017 9:35 PM

MSG Scott Milne — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 21:35:28 -0500

Give them there 7 years, thank them, take the green card and escort them to the plane.

Response by SSG Jeffrey Monk made Jan 24 at 2017 9:51 PM

SSG Jeffrey Monk — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 21:51:15 -0500

I would find it a bit disturbing. Why else would you be willing to fight and die for a country. If that's the case go private contractor.

Response by PO1 John Runningwolf made Jan 24 at 2017 10:53 PM

PO1 John Runningwolf — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 22:53:04 -0500

I feel that if you are a part of our armed forces then you must be a U.S. citizen no if and or buts about it, whether by birth or naturalized. As many of our military men and women are granted high level security clearances and as such may be privy certain classified information or mission specific details. There is also the possibility of the person taking part in either classified or clandestine operations. As such, all person in the U.S. military must be U.S. citizens otherwise who is to say where there loyalties will lie if the U.S. is in a conflict with a country with whom the non U.S. soldier is from.

Response by 1SG Joe Messier made Jan 25 at 2017 1:37 AM

1SG Joe Messier — Wed, 25 Jan 2017 01:37:15 -0500

I agree with CSM Stafford, do your job, if you want to become a citizen I'll help every chance possible. If memory serves me correctly there is a limit to the number of years a service member can serve before they have to become a citizen or get discharged, I might be mistaken. At that point regulations dictate the course of action. Most of the 1st generation American Soldiers I had were go getters anyway so I was happy to have them. As far as the no skin in the game comment below if the service member is wearing a uniform they've got skin in the game enough for me.

Response by TSgt Erica Claus-numsali made Jan 25 at 2017 7:51 AM

TSgt Erica Claus-numsali — Wed, 25 Jan 2017 07:51:20 -0500

I would think that they should serve in their country's military. What brought them to the US? Are they treating the military enlistment as a job?

Response by 1SG James Matthews made Jan 25 at 2017 9:41 AM

1SG James Matthews — Wed, 25 Jan 2017 09:41:43 -0500

He or she should be immediately confined to their room, stripped of all military issue items and given an immediate dishonorable discharge and returned to their homeland.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 25 at 2017 8:25 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 25 Jan 2017 20:25:17 -0500

Is desiring to become a US citizen a requirement to serve? If not then I don't see a problem as long as the individual serves honorably.

Response by SP5 Robert Ruck made Jan 25 at 2017 8:27 PM

SP5 Robert Ruck — Wed, 25 Jan 2017 20:27:20 -0500

For whatever reason that is certainly their right to make a personal choice. I worked with a couple of guys who had no desire except to go home. I understood.

Response by PO2 Douglas Mudge made Jan 26 at 2017 9:18 AM

PO2 Douglas Mudge — Thu, 26 Jan 2017 09:18:10 -0500

Are you kidding ? You don't have to be a citizen to be in the military. No wonder the military has gone to shit.

Response by SPC Brian Mason made Jan 26 at 2017 4:01 PM

SPC Brian Mason — Thu, 26 Jan 2017 16:01:31 -0500

Just like I would ANY illegal. Stay and become a citizen or leave the military and this country. SIMPLE.

Response by MAJ Alvin B. made Sep 23 at 2017 1:51 PM

MAJ Alvin B. — Sat, 23 Sep 2017 13:51:11 -0400

Many people have served in the US military without choosing to become citizens. I may disagree with their decision; however, it is a personal choice, and the reasons for it are none of my business. It is their decision, and their legal right.

Citizen or not, they swear the same oath, take the same risks, wear the same uniform, and serve the same country. We owe them the same respect owed every other individual who has answered the call to serve the United States of America. To do anything less is to disrespect ourselves, our laws, and our stated beliefs. They should be judged solely on their service.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Sep 23 at 2017 2:02 PM

SGM Erik Marquez — Sat, 23 Sep 2017 14:02:41 -0400

Assuming we are talking about enlisted servicemen, not an international joint assignment..
I would say, thank, but your service is no longer needed at the expiration of your current term.
foreign nations serving was NEVER done as a jobs program, but as a path to citizenship.. this is not the French Foreign legion.

Honestly its the same for immigrants that wish to make a permanent residence here in the US, Welcome, enjoy your new country, now get busy on that path to citizenship..if you do not wish to be a citizen , then your just a visitor, which is no issue, but visitors ..visit, then go home.....

Response by SPC Dawn Appelberg (Johnson) made Sep 23 at 2017 3:56 PM

SPC Dawn Appelberg (Johnson) — Sat, 23 Sep 2017 15:56:01 -0400

Then why are they serving in our military. Seriously why is a non citizen serving in our branches if they have no interest in becoming a US citizen?

Response by MAJ Alvin B. made Sep 23 at 2017 4:21 PM

MAJ Alvin B. — Sat, 23 Sep 2017 16:21:25 -0400

Adding to the discussion...an article related to non-citizen service from 'Time."

http://nation.time.com/2012/04/06/non-citizens-make-better-u-s-soldiers/

Non-Citizens Make Better U.S. Soldiers* | TIME.com

Well, there’s a kick in the teeth to all you red-blooded Americans wearing your country’s uniform: It turns out non-Americans donning U.S. military garb have more stick-to-itiveness than you, as well as having vital skills the U.S. military needs that you don’t have, to boot.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 9 at 2018 3:06 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Aug 2018 15:06:47 -0400

Who cares? You have to be a legal resident at the minimum to serve. If they do one term and get out so be it. It's more than some citizens do.