Foreign Nationals in US Military
Interesting tidbit: I didn't know this, but you don't have to be a US citizen to serve in our military. From today's WSJ:
Two Marines killed in Iraq have now been awarded citizenship posthumously. Surprised that foreign nationals are serving in the U.S. military, and even doing the fighting and the dying? You shouldn't be.
Jose Gutierrez of Guatemala and Jose Angel Garibay of Mexico, both from the Los Angeles area, were killed in the opening days of the war. Shortly before his death, Corporal Garibay wrote a letter to a former high school teacher explaining why he was willing to go to war: "I want to defend the country I plan to become a citizen of."
The Marines have a number of foreign nationals in their ranks. Out of a force of 175,000, 7,331 are not yet citizens of the United States and 5,416 became citizens after enlisting. Hispanics are by far the largest group — 3,472 of the non-citizen Marines.
Defense officials estimate there are 31,000 foreign nationals serving in all the service branches, many of whom are now fighting in the Gulf. And while polls say 80% of Mexicans do not support this war, the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City has been swamped with hundreds of requests to enlist in the U.S. military. Even as American casualties are coming home, there are plenty of would-be Americans who'd be more than happy to join the fight for our national security if it means they'd have a chance at living better lives afterward.
On July 4 last year President Bush signed an executive order expediting citizen applications for non-Americans serving in the military as of September 11, 2001. He might want to repeat his order this coming July 4, after the liberation of Iraq.
Dear Mr. Grossman:
I am a nurse, and have received my education and was recently employed as such (31 months in a clinic) in Cameroon, Africa. I would like to join the US Army with a view towards advancing my education within the medical field; I would accept any reasonable obligation incurred. Perhaps you can assist me concerning the best steps to take. Sincerely, Delphine Bika Wanyu
Sorry; I cannot help you. Try contacting the US Army directly. I'm sure they have information about recruiting on their website.
P.S. It's GrossBERG.
Posted by: Joe Grossberg on October 10, 2003 10:25 AM | permalinkHi
My name is Dwight Granderath and i am 17. In two years im gonna be done with highschool in Germany and im a german citizen. I would like to know if there is any chance i could join the US Army then and become a citizen of the United States.
Thnx for your help Dwight
IAM LIO A 17 YEARS OLD MAN.IAM A CAMERONIAN AND IAM PRESENTLY ATTENDING HIGH SCHOOL,BY JUNE 2007 I SHOULD BE GRADUATING.AM SO MUCH INTERESTED IN JOINING THE USA ARMY,SO I DONT KNOW IF I CAN HAVE ANY CHANCES OF BEING ENLISTED.
Posted by: lio on December 15, 2006 12:08 PM | permalink
HI
I AM VALERY, A CITIZEN OF CAMEROON. I HAVE JUST HAD BACC(TECHNICAL ADVANCE LEVEL CERTIFICATE} AND INTTEND TO SERVE AS AN ARMY IN THE USA. I AM A 19 YEARS OLD MAN WHO IS PRESENTLY DOING COMPUTING. SO I NEED TO KNOW THE VARIOUS STEPS IN OTHER TO BE AS ABOVE.
Dear Sir.
I am a 22 year old boy, am locected in cameroon, presenly now am doing mecharnic engenerring,in Cameroon,west Africa. I would like to join the US Army with a view towards advancing my skills within the mecharnic engenerring; I would accept any reasonable obligation incurred. Perhaps you can assist me concerning the best steps to take.
looking to read from you sir.
with kind redards.
Sincerely,muluh donald
Hello,
I´m tired of sending letters to the US army, but God know everything, that is my dream to be a US soldier, send several letter to the US EMBASSY in Haiti, I get no answer, i have no US visa, look and watch in december i´m going to enlisted, even by SEA or by Plane I will join the US army. i respect the Law but i don´t know what i must do, i will break the Law because i want to join the US Army.
i 'm shahriar but i live in malaysia i like go to the army usa how can i go
please say me how can i do that
thank you
Posted by: shahriar on December 13, 2007 1:26 PM | permalinki would like to join usa army how can i do that
Posted by: shahriar on December 13, 2007 1:28 PM | permalinkhi,I'm 19 years old.My dream is to join the is to join the most prestigious army in the world which is the us army.I have already get my school graduation but the problem is that I do not know how to do so as to make my dream come true....I hope that someone could help me......thaks for your helo,julien.
Posted by: julien bosquet on February 9, 2008 1:36 AM | permalinkhi,I'm 19 yrs old.I have already got my school graduation.my dream is to become a member of the us army...please could you help me to make my dream come true......thanks julien.
Posted by: julien bosquet on February 9, 2008 1:40 AM | permalinkhi
i'm Navid Kamali ,i live in Iran(i'm Iranian) ,i have 19 yo,how i can serve and join to us army
Thank you
Navidkam@gmail.com
i am 20 years old, from Nigeria west africa, i used to watch cnn every day and i see how young us army soliders put thier lives in line for thier country. it shows the important of the war to the development of the world. i want to be part of this development. i want to be a member of the US Army. how can you help me, becuase this has been my dream for a long time.
Posted by: tayo on April 6, 2008 2:24 PM | permalinkNo more comments! Either someone has violated Godwin's Law, I'm tired of the discussion or, most likely, the ten-week window has closed. You can, however, contact me through email.