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Posted on 05/21/2012 5:15:19 PM PDT by JerseyHighlander
SO I ran into a situation where a friend of mine is finishing his term of military service in his home country, and he has his eyes set on moving to the USA and joining the US Army or US Marine Corps.
He has applied to the standard visa lottery system, but with no success. He is applying again for next year.
In the mean time, I thought I'd ask if there are any informed Army or Marine recruiters on FR who know if military veterans from Partners for Peace countries can get some sort of special visa to directly join the US Army or Marine Corps.
I see repeatedly the DoD news promoting the Citizenship Swearing In events for military members from overseas. My friend has his heart set on going down this route.
THe second line of thought is to get him a work visa through any of the Private Military Companies, Private Security Companies, Risk Consultancy Firms, Security & Military Contractors, as well as Defense Contractors/Corporations/Conglomerates in related business sectors. He can then enlist in the military at the end of his employment contract with these outfits if he stilll has the fire in his belly. Does anyone have any info they can share on this?
A private message is just as welcome as a reply in the thread.
Is your inquiry specific to those branches alone or does it include our states’ National Guard services? Either way...I don’t know but I would like to know.
He is looking to immigrate to the US and find a “full time” career in the US military. While I know there are skeleton staffs in the NatGuard units who are full time, those jobs are usually highly sought after by long timers.
He wants to go active duty, do his tours, gain citizenship, and become an American before he settles down.
Happens all the time.
Had an Egyptian that I served with (Related to the past 3 rulers) - uncles/cousin relationship.
My Drill instructor was from Canada.
My Survival and self defense trainer was a Green Beret from S. Korea.
Another that I went through basic was from China.
I met one guy from Taiwon that served in the Marines.
Question: Can a non-U.S. Citizen join the United States Military?
Answer: Yes. A non-citizen can enlist in the military. However, federal law prohibits non-citizens from becoming commission or warrant officers.
In order for a non-citizen to enlist in the military, he/she must first be a legal immigrant (with a green card), permamently residing in the United States. It’s important to note that the military cannot and will not assist in the immigration process. One must immigrate first, using normal immigration quotas and procedures, and — once they’ve established an address in the United States — they can find a recruiter’s office and apply for enlistment.
Yahoo
Get it from the horses’ mouth. Call the 1-800 number for Marine or Army Recruiting info line. I think they are manned by recruiters.
Before the budget cuts, it was fairly common to see green card holders having their citizenship accelerated through the military service, and I have seen cases of illegal aliens with some family ties in the US pay their fines and get straightened out through military service.
Unless he is one of those sought after rare or demanded language speakers the special forces would need, it would be nearly impossible, imo.
I know there are loopholes out there, there always are loopholes that lawyers know about - such as consultation visas and “unique technical or artistic talent” visas etc. In Korea they have, believe it or not, special offices helping South Koreans get to the US. It’s a whole industry, like travel industry, in some places.
Of course, our CIC is not interested in talent, just in people to exploit and turn his elections around.
If your friend has a much needed skill set, such as strong language skills in other languages, scientific background, or a medical doctor then there are ways to sneak past the “U.S military will not help in obtaining a greencard”.
The easiest way to find out is to contact a recruiter.
I know somebody that was a soldier in the Swedish Military, then became a U.S Marine, then went back to the Swedish Military.
I think you have to be Filipino.
“the standard visa lottery system”
That is actually known as the “diversity lottery”. It exists under the premise that America would be a better place if more random people from “diverse” places, NOT European countries came to America.
Europeans, Australians, Canadians, basically white people, need not apply.
The House is trying to ban this outrageous racist hate-crime of a “lottery”. Every reasonable person should write their congressman and demand they support that!
Chain of Command would not allow that...right?
Yes it happens.
Had a LT worked for me who was from New Zealand. Enlisted in the Corps, did his term, got out, got his college degree then came back in as an officer.
Oh and of course he got his US citizenship in the process (have to to be an officer and hold a security clearance)
>> I think you have to be Filipino. <<
It used to be the law that Filipinos could join the U. S. military (or at least, the U. S. Navy) while still living in the Philippines. I don’t think the citizens of any other country had such status. And I don’t have any idea if the law has been changed.
I don’t think my friend has any highly sought after specialized skillsets, right now I’m thinking about advising him to enroll in a US college/university to get an education visa to the US so he can maybe find himself a wife/employer to sponsor him.
Just FYI I saw an article where Australia was desperate to recruit Americans for their armed forces - they are really understrength and they have trouble filling their billets because their economy is so good.
They are focusing on unique skills as well. Still, they may be looking worldwide for personnel.
An employer sponsorship would be H1B visa, not a green card. School visa is also not a green card. Your friend will have to have a green card to join the military.
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