KI visa 2013, joined Army, awaiting Naturalization certificate

[Togbega II 25]

I came here on K1 visa in Dec 26, 2013 to be with my wife. I received my 2-year Conditional GC in March, 2015 and decided to join the Army. I initially started with the Navy but my recruiter was too slow so I switched over to the Army. *You can't join the air force unless you have a 10-year GC.

I graduated 3 weeks ago and have now earned the title "American soldier". It was almost 10weeks of training. I had my Naturalization test and interview today which i passed. Am now awaiting my Naturalization certificate which I anticipate to receive soon.

I hope this provides an answer to somebody's question he/she is finding an answer for.

[Alaska2012 462]

So you can become a citizen sooner just because you join the army? I had no idea..

You say you are awaiting your naturalization certificate...aren't you going to attend an oath ceremony and receive it there like everyone else?

[NikLR 13,227]

So you can become a citizen sooner just because you join the army? I had no idea.. You say you are awaiting your naturalization certificate...aren't you going to attend an oath ceremony and receive it there like everyone else?

Absolutely you can because in general they don't want non-USC being able to shoot someone for the US government.

However, be aware of the judgement that may arise from US born citizens who feel that people join just to get the naturalization faster. Because people do it just for that vs the actual desire to serve the US government military.

[medicalguy 11]

Absolutely you can because in general they don't want non-USC being able to shoot someone for the US government.

However, be aware of the judgement that may arise from US born citizens who feel that people join just to get the naturalization faster. Because people do it just for that vs the actual desire to serve the US government military.

Does it really matter if Naturalization was their primary intent? Most people join the army any way for personal benefit, whether it is GI bill, loan forgiveness or naturalization. I believe anyone that serves completely deserves those benefits, even if that is their primary desire. They are still doing more than most people. People that don't serve have no right to judge.

[NikLR 13,227]

Does it really matter if Naturalization was their primary intent? Most people join the army any way for personal benefit, whether it is GI bill, loan forgiveness or naturalization. I believe anyone that serves completely deserves those benefits, even if that is their primary desire. They are still doing more than most people. People that don't serve have no right to judge.

I'm sorry I didn't make it obvious that I was referring to people who serve who judge, not those who don't. I completely agree that those who don't serve do not have a place to judge. I'm not judging by any means. I'm providing insight that can be taken with a grain of salt or discarded as personally preferred.

Edited December 8, 2015 by NLR

[Togbega II 25]

So you can become a citizen sooner just because you join the army? I had no idea..You say you are awaiting your naturalization certificate...aren't you going to attend an oath ceremony and receive it there like everyone else?

I am not awaiting it in the mail or other means apart from receiving it at the end of the oath ceremony. Am am awaiting to receiving it on my oath ceremony. Yes, you become a U.S citizen when you the military cos that's a federal job and all federal jobs required that you are a citizen

[Togbega II 25]

Absolutely you can because in general they don't want non-USC being able to shoot someone for the US government.

However, be aware of the judgement that may arise from US born citizens who feel that people join just to get the naturalization faster. Because people do it just for that vs the actual desire to serve the US government military.

My post was to provide answers to people who aint sure they can noin the military with 2-yr GC not YOU!! It's sad that we have people like you here who have nothing positive to say but to cast doubt and see things with myopic lenses from what people post here. So any foreigner who joins the U.S military does so for papers? I could still live my civilian life and still get my naturalization cos am still married to my wife.

*In anycaes, everybody joins the military for a reason including U.S citizens. Most of them I met is because of students loans. Are you not doing your present job for a reason? What not any other job than what u doing now? Moreover, signing to join the US Army isn't a guarantee that u gonna graduate. So many people couldn't make it but I have made it. To serve the best Army in the world and be part of the 1% or 2%/of the people serving is enough satisfaction for me.

Does it really matter if Naturalization was their primary intent? Most people join the army any way for personal benefit, whether it is GI bill, loan forgiveness or naturalization. I believe anyone that serves completely deserves those benefits, even if that is their primary desire. They are still doing more than most people. People that don't serve have no right to judge.

Thank you NLR. A word to a wise is enough.

[NikLR 13,227]

You guys are reading more into my comment and taking offense when none was meant. I am relating info obtained from a conversation i had with my husband and his best friend BOTH of whom serve. (Well hubs left but still works for the govt.) Most of our friends do serve or have. Their annoyance was mostly with people who don't even have a green card but join the military to become legal and get citizenship. Since I'd never thought before that perhaps that judgement was there, I thought perhaps someone elae may like the insight. Apparently not however, so I sincerely apologize that you're offended by learning this.

I've previously mentioned in another thread how people can join the military with a 2 year card and positive benefits of doing so, including naturalization sooner.

Have a nice week, and again I apologize you took offense.

Edited December 8, 2015 by NLR

[Togbega II 25]

You guys are reading more into my comment and taking offense when none was meant. I am relating info obtained from a conversation i had with my husband and his best friend BOTH of whom serve. (Well hubs left but still works for the govt.) Most of our friends do serve or have. Their annoyance was mostly with people who don't even have a green card but join the military to become legal and get citizenship. Since I'd never thought before that perhaps that judgement was there, I thought perhaps someone elae may like the insight. Apparently not however, so I sincerely apologize that you're offended by learning this.

I've previously mentioned in another thread how people can join the military with a 2 year card and positive benefits of doing so, including naturalization sooner.

Have a nice week, and again I apologize you took offense.

NLR...thanks for explaining and making me understand you better. Have a nice week too

[CAPRICEJAH 19]

On 12/8/2015 at 5:35 AM, jahk18 said:

My post was to provide answers to people who aint sure they can noin the military with 2-yr GC not YOU!! It's sad that we have people like you here who have nothing positive to say but to cast doubt and see things with myopic lenses from what people post here. So any foreigner who joins the U.S military does so for papers? I could still live my civilian life and still get my naturalization cos am still married to my wife.

*In anycaes, everybody joins the military for a reason including U.S citizens. Most of them I met is because of students loans. Are you not doing your present job for a reason? What not any other job than what u doing now? Moreover, signing to join the US Army isn't a guarantee that u gonna graduate. So many people couldn't make it but I have made it. To serve the best Army in the world and be part of the 1% or 2%/of the people serving is enough satisfaction for me.

Thank you NLR. A word to a wise is enough.

When you wrote this post, wasn't you. Being too defensive?  I thought you and your American wife wss  separated .. I Guess you can  abandon your wife and still join the military to attain citizenship..