Foreigners in the Marines?

[Homie]

I know we have a few military people on this forum. So I am asking you wheter foreigners can enlist in American forces, such as the Marines? Or is it only for American citizens?

Oh, and the same question is directed towards the IDF. Do they still have the Machal?

 

[Bugfatty300]

Yes. They can if they have a green card.

I think there are something like 100,000 non-American citizens in the US military.

 

[Homie]

Yes. They can if they have a green card.

I think there are something like 100,000 non-American citizens in the US military.

OK, so only for foreigners with green cards?
What about legal immigrants without green cards, but with VISA's?

 

[Chazumi]

Yes. They can if they have a green card.

I think there are something like 100,000 non-American citizens in the US military.

I think that's a huge overestimate. I've only met one guy that was not a U.S. Citizen and he was only from Puerto Rico. I'm not sure what the standards are you would do best to ask a recruiter. But if you are thinking of joining...don't go marines man... do yourself a favor.

 

[emzie]

OK, so only for foreigners with green cards?
What about legal immigrants without green cards, but with VISA's?

You have to have a green card. If you're in the military, you can apply for citizenship without having to wait 3 years, as long as you meet the other requirements (no criminal record, can take the test in English).

A foreign national cannot become an officer, iirc. There's also a limit on how long he or she may remain in the military.

I think that's a huge overestimate. I've only met one guy that was not a U.S. Citizen and he was only from Puerto Rico. I'm not sure what the standards are you would do best to ask a recruiter. But if you are thinking of joining...don't go marines man... do yourself a favor.

He was a US Citizen unless he renounced his citizenship. What I last saw on CNN said something like 2% of the military is foreign-national, but the majority of that was Filipinos in the Navy.

 

[Xanikk999]

I think that's a huge overestimate. I've only met one guy that was not a U.S. Citizen and he was only from Puerto Rico. I'm not sure what the standards are you would do best to ask a recruiter. But if you are thinking of joining...don't go marines man... do yourself a favor.

Remember kids, anecdotal evidence doesnt work in this case!

 

[MobBoss]

Contact your local recruiter to find out the current truth. Regulations covering such things have changed a lot in the last several years, so who knows these days.