US Army for Foreigners?

[Zardnaar]

Can you join the US army if you don't have citizenship? Simple question really

 

[cgannon64]

Yes, that's a very good way to gain citizenship. (There might be certain restrictions, but I know it can be done.)

 

[Zardnaar]

Well ok how easy is it. Can you take a plane to America and head to the nearest recruiting office.

 

[cgannon64]

I'm not sure. As I said, there might be restrictions; it wouldn't be inconceivable if you had to at least have a green card or something like that.

 

[h4ppy]

Are you going to actually do this?

 

[MobBoss]

Yes, you can. And yes, you can get a faster path to being a US citizen if you choose. Some job skills and areas will be closed to you for obvious security requirement issues.

 

[Hundegesicht]

Sure. Obviously, you'll need proper immigration papers and such, but it's not too hard.

 

[Secular]

In my division in boot we had three Philipino's. they just had to go through FAST. ( don't remember what the acronym stands for) It's basically a crash course on english and basic US knowledge

 

[Bugfatty300]

Well ok how easy is it. Can you take a plane to America and head to the nearest recruiting office.

No. You still have to be documented and legal resident of a US state or territory to join.

 

[Gladi]

Bright day
Well, AFAIK, once you are legally there and decide to join, residency issues can be worked out. The number of military adverts I got...

 

[Sahkuhnder]

Link: Citizenship for Military Personnel.

"There are 60,000 immigrants in the U.S. military. They represent two percent of the total service personnel on active duty. About half are noncitizens, with 15,880 in the navy; of those, 5,046 are from the Philippines. More than 6,000 Marines are noncitizens, with the largest group, 1,452, from Mexico."

 

[CurtSibling]

I didn't know the US practiced such a Heinleinistic policy.

Given the desperation for recruits into the American army, I am not surprised.

I hope the foreigners who wish to join have decent life insurance and health care.

Because they won't get it from the US army!

.

 

[MobBoss]

I didn't know the US practiced such a Heinleinistic policy.

Given the desperation for recruits into the American army, I am not surprised.

I hope the foreigners who wish to join have decent life insurance and health care.

Because they won't get it from the US army!

.

FYI Curt, everyone in the military has access to Servicemans Group Life Insurance. For a few bucks a month you get $450k of life insurance. As for health care, its decent once you get past the long lines for it. All of my kids were born in military hospitals and all their various injuries and illnesses taken care of as well.

Why not stick to the topics you actually have knowledge of. It makes you look smarter.

 

[Sahkuhnder]

I didn't know the US practiced such a Heinleinistic policy.

Given the desperation for recruits into the American army, I am not surprised.

I hope the foreigners who wish to join have decent life insurance and health care.

Because they won't get it from the US army!

.

The US military has had little trouble meeting recruitment goals until very recently, due of course to the Iraq war. I wouldn't classify that as desperation. If they want more recruits they just up the enlistment bonus and that solves the problem.

The military provides very low cost life insurance and as a veteran myself(4 years, no combat) my medical care and medicine for the rest of my life is almost free (small fee per visit/prescription).

How familiar are you with the US Veteran's Administration? Why would you possible say 'they won't get it from the US army!'?

 

[CurtSibling]

FYI Curt, everyone in the military has access to Servicemans Group Life Insurance. For a few bucks a month you get $450k of life insurance. As for health care, its decent once you get past the long lines for it. All of my kids were born in military hospitals and all their various injuries and illnesses taken care of as well.

There is a biig differnce between some babies and a wounded GI, old man.

Even a non-military mortal like me can work that one out.

While I will concede I am not familiar with the life insurance options in the US.
I think a foreigner would be happier with the insurance from his own nation, that
is the point I am making.

And you hint that things are not perfect when you mention 'the long lines waiting for it',
does this include a trooper with both legs blown off by a roadside bomb?

Does have to wait too?

That also is the point I am making.

If you live near any of the military hospitals in Germany, which of course, you do not:
you would know that they are always busy with GIs being treated for brutal injuries...In the hundreds...Each month.

I have heard a few stories about the US army ceasing to give a crap about a soldier once he is maimed out of service.

I am sure you can give a few insights, since you seem to be in the know about all all things military?

Why not stick to the topics you actually have knowledge of. It makes you look smarter.

Sure, Sarge.

Shall I drop and give you twenty?

 

[Sahkuhnder]

@ Curt -

As with any socialized government run program, lines are inevitable.

Different VA medical centers will have different demand of course. Where I live it's usually about 1-2 hours to get in. Not great, but not horrible either. Considering what medical care costs in the private sector these days the time lost waiting in line is still a better deal than paying for medical out of your own pocket.

Any stories you may have heard about the "US army ceasing to give a crap about a soldier once he is maimed out of service." are false. Veterans of the military receive full medical care up to and including full hospitalization for life if needed.

I don't support everything the US government does with the military, but one thing they do very well is to take care of us old soldiers.

 

[CurtSibling]

Well, I will take an American's (yourself and MobBoss) word on it.

 

[Zardnaar]

Looked into it. Need a green card. Not to worried about health plans as I couls always return home if I was injured and have my government cover me. Not being to serious but I've had a look at a few websites. How do you get a green card? Enter the US on a tourist visa and apply for residency or something?

 

[CurtSibling]

Contact your local US embassy. They have a list of requirements and the billion forms needed.

.

 

[Goonie]

FYI Curt, everyone in the military has access to Servicemans Group Life Insurance. For a few bucks a month you get $450k of life insurance. As for health care, its decent once you get past the long lines for it. All of my kids were born in military hospitals and all their various injuries and illnesses taken care of as well.

Why not stick to the topics you actually have knowledge of. It makes you look smarter.

My uncle was a marine.. and let me tell you: he was not well taken care of.

Any stories you may have heard about the "US army ceasing to give a crap about a soldier once he is maimed out of service." are false. Veterans of the military receive full medical care up to and including full hospitalization for life if needed.

Simply not true.