AoS & Naturalization with prior service in a foreign military

[scot4ks 0]

Background:

I am a British citizen currently applying for a K1 Visa. During my university years I was a member of a subsection of the military reserves. The aim of the unit was to encourage bright students to consider careers in the British RAF by giving free flying lessons (although they taught no military specific flying skills), take part in all expenses paid expeditions (of an entirely non-military nature) to foreign continents, and providing access to an exclusive, cheap bar. Membership was entirely voluntary - you could leave at any time. Moreover, membership did not entitle you to any salary (except for expenses and a daily stipend) nor was accession to the real RAF an automatic right - members still had to attend a full selection process. In no way are members combat ready. It really was an exclusive club with no strings attached - save for the "stain" it will now put on my immigration forms. I was "discharged" following graduation and never went into the real military and so therefore never held a commission or any form of seniority or responsibility.

As much as I would never say I have been in the military, I cannot ignore the technical nature of the questions required for AoS/Naturalization. It is fairly black and white, and I cannot tick "No" to the "Have you ever performed military service?" question, as I was given a uniform (which was rarely worn) and a British Military ID card.

Question:

Does prior military service have any negative bearing on applications for AoS, Naturalization or even the issuance of the K1 Visa?

Are any readers out who are, or have been, in a similar situation? Does anyone know of anyone else like this? Is there any reliable information out there regarding this? There is very little. I do not know if I should have cause for concern.

I'd appreciate informed answers please. Many thanks for your time.

D&K

[Bobby+Umit 161]

I would say you were in the service - however brief it was.

No - it will not put a "stain" on your process - especially since your home country is part of NATO - so your pretty much in the clear.

Be accurate and honest when filling out the forms.

[* Kristin * 49]

My other half is currently in the British Army and we had no problems with the issuing of our K1. Whilst he is in the Household Cav., we even stated that he had firearms training from basic training, and had no issues there.

At the interview last week, he was asked for his discharge notice. I'm assuming you have some copy of something stating when you finished after graduation?

*Also posted in the AoS forum. Apologies for the double post!*

Background:

I am a British citizen currently applying for a K1 Visa. During my university years I was a member of a subsection of the military reserves. The aim of the unit was to encourage bright students to consider careers in the British RAF by giving free flying lessons (although they taught no military specific flying skills), take part in all expenses paid expeditions (of an entirely non-military nature) to foreign continents, and providing access to an exclusive, cheap bar. Membership was entirely voluntary - you could leave at any time. Moreover, membership did not entitle you to any salary (except for expenses and a daily stipend) nor was accession to the real RAF an automatic right - members still had to attend a full selection process. In no way are members combat ready. It really was an exclusive club with no strings attached - save for the "stain" it will now put on my immigration forms. I was "discharged" following graduation and never went into the real military and so therefore never held a commission or any form of seniority or responsibility.

As much as I would never say I have been in the military, I cannot ignore the technical nature of the questions required for AoS/Naturalization. It is fairly black and white, and I cannot tick "No" to the "Have you ever performed military service?" question, as I was given a uniform (which was rarely worn) and a British Military ID card.

Question:

Does prior military service have any negative bearing on applications for AoS, Naturalization or even the issuance of the K1 Visa?

Are any readers out who are, or have been, in a similar situation? Does anyone know of anyone else like this? Is there any reliable information out there regarding this? There is very little. I do not know if I should have cause for concern.

I'd appreciate informed answers please. Many thanks for your time.

D&K

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

My husband's situation was different, but he served in the Air Training Corp age 14-18 (now called Air Cadets). He wore a uniform, got a pilot's license, and learned military skills. He only listed that on the form where it asks for any organizations he was a member of. His British opinion is that you did not serve in the military. You could say no to the military service question, but disclose your membership under organizations so the information is there for all to see. You could list the name of the organization followed by a description-- organization to encourage students to consider careers in the British RAF.

This is what the embassy in London lists as a requirement for your visa interview if you did actually serve in the military:

Military Records:

Persons who have served in the military forces of any country must obtain one copy of their military record. Note: On the day of the visa interview you will be required to furnish either your discharge papers or evidence of terminal leave from the forces.

And persons who served in the military may go through extra security databases if the DS-157 information ticks the right boxes to launch further scrutiny. But military service doesn't keep one from getting a K1 visa or adjusting status.

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

I was an officer in the German Army back in 1977 and '78. First MP, then Sniper training. Became Lt. 3 days before discharge.

At the time we had a draft for all males in the Fatherland, meaning I either had to do 15 months with $120 per month pay or 2 years with about $1,600 per month pay. I chose the latter and stated it accordingly.

Why would it be an issue that I have been trained to kill and subsequently now am able to fight in the name of God, freedom and the greatest nation on Earth?

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

There are many countries where military service is mandatory (Israel, for example). People from these countries are not barred from adjusting status or obtaining visas or citizenship (especially, I would think, if the military is an ally, like england). We answered military questions honestly, and it was not an issue at all. You don't have to answer "no" to every question. They just want to know what you have done. Good luck.

[NickD 202]

Sounds like our university ROTC programs offered at over a thousand universities across the USA, not really a part of our military although sponsored by them from all five branches of our military service. In any event, shouldn't be a problem with your AOS and isn't the United Kingdom one of our strongest allies? Joining a ROTC program does help with tuition expenses, but many do not go on.

If you receive your green card before you reach the age of 26, make darn sure you register for our selective service. Can do this over the internet and will be assigned a number which is all that will happen in its 30 year history. But the USCIS sure makes an issue out of that for US citizenship. If you are over 26 years of age, not a problem.

[Penguin_ie 5,993]

There won;t be any issues. I think this is a country specific thing, where military service in some countries may be seen as suspicious, but not from the UK.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Duplicate threads moved from AOS forum and Citizenship forum to General Immigration Related Discussion and merged together, as question requests information from several different aspects of the immigration process (K-1, AOS and Citizenship) and is better served here in the General Immigration Discussion forum