Serving in our military

[St&Sv 33]

So my girl and I were talking about job options today and things she wants to do. She brought up, and in the past she has too, joining our military. I've told her if she wanted to look into it that I would support her in it. I've been realistic about the whole thing with her, about training and what goes on, and how the military works. My father was a 25yr vet in the navy, and I went though the enlisting process myself. The thing that would kill it for her is if she had to give up her Russian Citizenship in order to do it, and I believe that is the case. After all I can't see a foreign country liking its citizen to enlist in another's country military. Especially when she wants to go into linguists. I'm looking for something that says that is so or not, and was wondering if anyone knew what Russian, or even American law said about this. Links would be appreciated as then I can show her.

Thanks everyone, and hope you all are having a great Sunday.

[EAS 45]

...

The thing that would kill it for her is if she had to give up her Russian Citizenship in order to do it, and I believe that is the case. After all I can't see a foreign country liking its citizen to enlist in another's country military. Especially when she wants to go into linguists. I'm looking for something that says that is so or not, and was wondering if anyone knew what Russian, or even American law said about this. Links would be appreciated as then I can show her.

Thanks everyone, and hope you all are having a great Sunday.

Visit or call your local Armed Services recruiter and ask the questions. You will get an answer from someone whose job it is to know [or at least find the answers to] these questions.

Having typed that ... when one enlists in the United States Armed Forces one must take an oath to protect the United States from ALL enemies foreign and domestic and to uphold ALL the laws of the United States.

Also while dual citizenship might be allowed, having more than one citizenship would preclude that individual from obtaining certain types of security clearances and thus would preclude them from certain positions requiring said security clearance.

And I did find this statement ... "You do not actually have to be a citizen of the United States to join its military. Indeed, many immigrants use military service as a venue to improve their ability to make the transition from legal resident to full citizen. While historically the U.S. military has only been open to legal residents, individuals who hold documents known as "Green Cards" may have other options. In 2009, the military was considering a measure that would allow temporary immigrants, in the country legally, to join the military for an accelerated path to citizenship. Soldiers are not strictly required to renounce another citizenship to join the military.

Unlike enlisted personnel, officers in the United States military must be U.S. citizens and U.S. citizens alone."

Edited July 21, 2013 by EAS

[EAS 45]

...

The thing that would kill it for her is if she had to give up her Russian Citizenship in order to do it, and I believe that is the case. After all I can't see a foreign country liking its citizen to enlist in another's country military. Especially when she wants to go into linguists. I'm looking for something that says that is so or not, and was wondering if anyone knew what Russian, or even American law said about this. Links would be appreciated as then I can show her.

Thanks everyone, and hope you all are having a great Sunday.

Visit or call your local Armed Services recruiter and ask the questions. You will get an answer from someone whose job it is to know [or at least find the answers to] these questions.

Having typed that ... when one enlists in the United States Armed Forces one must take an oath to protect the United States from ALL enemies foreign and domestic and to uphold ALL the laws of the United States.

Also while dual citizenship might be allowed, having more than one citizenship would preclude that individual from obtaining certain types of security clearances and thus would preclude them from certain positions requiring said security clearance.

And I did find the following statement on a non-official random website ... "You do not actually have to be a citizen of the United States to join its military. Indeed, many immigrants use military service as a venue to improve their ability to make the transition from legal resident to full citizen. While historically the U.S. military has only been open to legal residents, individuals who hold documents known as "Green Cards" may have other options. In 2009, the military was considering a measure that would allow temporary immigrants, in the country legally, to join the military for an accelerated path to citizenship. Soldiers are not strictly required to renounce another citizenship to join the military.

Unlike enlisted personnel, officers in the United States military must be U.S. citizens and U.S. citizens alone."

[UK_Fan 192]

So my girl and I were talking about job options today and things she wants to do. She brought up, and in the past she has too, joining our military. I've told her if she wanted to look into it that I would support her in it. I've been realistic about the whole thing with her, about training and what goes on, and how the military works. My father was a 25yr vet in the navy, and I went though the enlisting process myself. The thing that would kill it for her is if she had to give up her Russian Citizenship in order to do it, and I believe that is the case. After all I can't see a foreign country liking its citizen to enlist in another's country military. Especially when she wants to go into linguists. I'm looking for something that says that is so or not, and was wondering if anyone knew what Russian, or even American law said about this. Links would be appreciated as then I can show her.

Thanks everyone, and hope you all are having a great Sunday.

im in the enlistment process for Coast Guard myself right now and here's what i know. we don't have to renounce russian citizenship in order to become a linguist, we just have to be american citizens (same goes for any job that requires secret clearance).. also, we can't be officers, for the same reason. If she has a conditional card, she can't go into the Air Force.

[St&Sv 33]

im in the enlistment process for Coast Guard myself right now and here's what i know. we don't have to renounce russian citizenship in order to become a linguist, we just have to be american citizens (same goes for any job that requires secret clearance).. also, we can't be officers, for the same reason. If she has a conditional card, she can't go into the Air Force.

Thank you for the insight, both of you. Though I've definitely emailed the recruiters already with these questions, though I wonder what Russian Law says. I'm curious if there is any clause in their system that says you cannot serve in another Countries military and maintain your citizenship. She will have her conditional first, so it looks like no matter what she would have to wait for the Permanent Green Card?

[andy ngeci 18]

hi guys being in millitary active duty should the fiance fill W2 or 1040?

[slim 1,530]

Joining the military is a great career option. I wish more people would consider it.

As others have said, you don't have to renounce your Russian citizenship. As a matter of fact, I don't think the Russians even care. I have a Russian contact who served in the army for several years and he's had no issues going to and from Russia since. Likewise, you get fast-tracked to American citizenship eligibility after only three years of active duty.

The issues she'll encounter (on both sides) is the level of clearance she'll be allowed to have and the job she'll work. It's highly unlikely that a Russian citizen will become a Russian linguist. They simply don't trust a Russian to monitor the Russians. Makes sense, right? It's not impossible to still be a translator or something but she won't be working in the intelligence field "spying" on anyone or translating communications. she'd be more like a liaison or public relations specialist.

The other thing to consider is the time she'll be away from you and family. There are really cushy assignments in the military but then there are some that will require being away from home for months on end. That can be very trying on a new family - especially with all the attention she's likely to get in the military. That's probably the biggest issue I think a family would face.

My recommendation is to NOT pursue a career as a translator. (She already speaks Russian.) I would recommend getting a job that's heavy on applicable training for the real world. Something like a medical job or a personnel specialist. Something that she could get right out tomorrow and take all that training on her resume to a good job and step right into a career.

The military can be fun and exciting but hanging bombs on planes and shooting machine guns and speaking Russian just isn't very marketable in the civilian world. Getting MCSE certified is something civilian employers recognize. Encourage her to take a job where civilian training and certifications are applied. The hospital is almost always a sure way to get hired on the outside. So are tech jobs and office management type positions - especially for women.

Whatever you do.... don't let her join just to join. Make sure she gets a guaranteed job in a field she wants to be in BEFORE she ships out. Recruiters are awesome at getting to you to sign up so you can "go in as quickly as possible" and "you'll pick your job when you get there." Sounds great until you're humping 100lbs of gear through the sand. "So, what did you do in the military?"

hi guys being in millitary active duty should the fiance fill W2 or 1040?

Not sure of your question here. Everyone in the military still gets a W-2 just like they would from any employer and they're still required to file their taxes just like anyone else.

If someone joins the military it's likely they wouldn't be a fiance(e) - they'd already be married.

[UK_Fan 192]

Whatever you do.... don't let her join just to join. Make sure she gets a guaranteed job in a field she wants to be in BEFORE she ships out. Recruiters are awesome at getting to you to sign up so you can "go in as quickly as possible" and "you'll pick your job when you get there." Sounds great until you're humping 100lbs of gear through the sand. "So, what did you do in the military?"

pick a job after you join is kind of what the Coast Guard does. you get stationed with a unit and then wait years on end to go to A-school. sometimes ppl don't even get to go throughout their whole 4 year contract.

[slim 1,530]

pick a job after you join is kind of what the Coast Guard does. you get stationed with a unit and then wait years on end to go to A-school. sometimes ppl don't even get to go throughout their whole 4 year contract.

In the meantime, are you doing general CG duties such as "anything petty officer Snuffy tells me?"

If that's the case, it's not such a bad deal because the military still instills values such as discipline and teamwork, etc. But as a stepping stone for future careers on the civilian side, it's not so good. Better to join another branch and get applicable skills.

It all depends on your goals. If you're looking for a good steady job and college money, who cares. But if you've always dreamed of working in _____ career field, better to get guaranteed up front.

ETA - It sounds to me like your recruiter is blowing smoke up your @$$ and just trying to get you to ship off as soon as possible. Tell him you're not ready to sign up until you get the job you want and see how that goes over. You should be able to see the truth in his face. "Sure, no problem." Or, "Mariya, I've already explained this to you. You have to go first and you'll figure out your job later."

Edited July 21, 2013 by slim

[UK_Fan 192]

if i go in, i'm staying till the retirement.. that's pretty much all i've ever wanted.

[UK_Fan 192]

In the meantime, are you doing general CG duties such as "anything petty officer Snuffy tells me?"

well pretty much he said that it would be a good way to "sample" the jobs. that way you know what you like... honestly i don't care, i just wann get in and then work from the "inside out" so to speak.

[slim 1,530]

Retirement sounds good but the rest of it sounds like a bunch of bologna!