Non-US citizens serving

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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..

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?

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.

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