# Right to join the US army **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 25, 2000, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/right-to-join-the-us-army/38331 "2000-10-25T23:33:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Cam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Cam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cam)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2000, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/right-to-join-the-us-army/38331/1 "2000-10-25T23:33:08Z")
I’m a New Zealand citizen, living in the US at the moment on a student visa. I’m thinking that I would like to join the US army (believe it or not I actually like it here). I have two questions though. 1. Are foreign nationals allowed to join? 2. Do you recieve citizenship in return for your service (I have no qualms about giving up native citizenship, additionally). I would ring up the recruitment number, but I didn’t want to seem stupid when they say foreigners cannot join. If anyone knows, I’d appreciate your help. Cam ---
**Author:** ![Cartooniverse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cartooniverse/32/3084_2.png) [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2000, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/right-to-join-the-us-army/38331/2 "2000-10-25T23:39:10Z")
Cam- I’d suggest you call the Army. They’ll know the answers. You sound like a serious enough person, I bet they will treat your questions straightforwardly… Or, you can call the INS. They know everything 😃 ``` Cartooniverse ``` ---
**Author:** ![bizerta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3be4f8/32.png) [@bizerta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bizerta)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2000, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/right-to-join-the-us-army/38331/3 "2000-10-26T00:00:49Z")
When I was in college, my roomate was a US resident, but not a US citizen. He was required to register for the draft (selective service). When I asked how non-citizens were allowed to be in the army, he said that he would be sworn in as a US citizen just before he was sworn into the Army. Keep in mind, this was over 30 years ago and times may have changed. ---
**Author:** ![Another\_County\_Heard\_From](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/71c47a/32.png) [@Another\_County\_Heard\_From](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Another_County_Heard_From)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2000, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/right-to-join-the-us-army/38331/4 "2000-10-26T00:08:34Z")
A recruiter will be **more** than happy to answer your questions, and assist you in overcoming any red tape obstacles in your way. Good economy, scary world, and frequent deployments are hurting recruitment efforts. I don’t know the specific requirements, but non-US citizens certainly can enlist and serve in the US military. Only US citizens, however, are eligible for programs leading to commissions as officers. Serving in the US military can help you stay in the US and become a US citizen if that is a longterm goal for you. Time spent overseas with the US Armed Forces can count as if you were a US resident, I believe, but do check this with a recruiter. One last word of advice - GET EVERYTHING IN WRITING! Recruiters are not there to help you; they are there to get people to enlist. My recruiter promised \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ gets you nowhere but laughed at. Good luck. ---
**Author:** ![Another\_County\_Heard\_From](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/71c47a/32.png) [@Another\_County\_Heard\_From](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Another_County_Heard_From)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2000, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/right-to-join-the-us-army/38331/5 "2000-10-26T00:57:39Z")
I’d like to revise my response - Do not rely upon your recruiter for all your information about gaining US citizenship. Verify everything with the INS. The INS, not the Army/Navy/Air Force, decides when and if you meet the requirements for citizenship. Your recruiter may really mean well, and have good basic information, but cannot be expected to be an expert in gaining US citizenship. ---
**Author:** ![Billdo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/billdo/32/315_2.png) [@Billdo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Billdo)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2000, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/right-to-join-the-us-army/38331/6 "2000-10-26T02:09:14Z")
I’d suggest checking the web sites of the military services to get this information: [http://www.army.mil](http://www.army.mil) [http://www.navy.mil](http://www.navy.mil) [http://www.usmc.mil](http://www.usmc.mil) [http://www.af.mil](http://www.af.mil) [http://www.uscg.mil](http://www.uscg.mil) I’ve checked some of them, and got the following from the Coast Guard site [http://www.uscg.mil/jobs/faq.htm](http://www.uscg.mil/jobs/faq.htm) > [@](#): > > What about if I am not a U.S. citizen? > > ``` > Enlistment into the U.S. Coast Guard, or any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces, by citizens of other countries is limited to those foreign nationals who are legally residing in the United States and posses an Immigration and Naturalization Servide Alien Registration Card, commonly known as a "Green Card" (INS Form I-151/551). Applicants must speak, write and read English fluently. > > ``` > > Can the Coast Guard help me obtaining U.S. citizenship? > > ``` > The U.S. military branches cannot assist foreign nationals in obtaining admittance into the United States. Questions concerning immigration to the United States should be asked of the U.S. Embassy. Only after immigration procedures are completed and an applicant is legally in the United States may an application for enlistment be accepted. > > ``` I might e-mail recruiters from the services to see if they can help you. With the recruit shortage, I’m sure they’ll do everything in their power to enable you to sign up. Good luck. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Cynical](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ee59a6/32.png) [@Mr.Cynical](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Cynical)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2000, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/right-to-join-the-us-army/38331/7 "2000-10-26T02:41:03Z")
I served in the Air Force with two Canadian citizens. They weer treated the same as the rest of us, with the exception that they were NOT allowed to be stationed overseas.