How to answer question 12-17 in N-400 if I served in a foreign military?

[ajomr 0]

Hi there,

I served in a foreign military before immigrating to the United States. It was over 20 years ago.

There is a question in form N-400, under part 12, item 17: 

Where you EVER a part of any group, or did you EVER help any group, unit, or organization that used a weapon against any person or threatened to do so?

 

So technically, I think the answer is "yes". But my feeling is that this question is more about non-military groups and organizations, or maybe para-military groups. 

Furthermore, there is a question just before this one -- question 15A, also in part 12 -- that asks if I was in a military unit. 

 

I'm leaning towards answering "yes" and just being clear in the explanation that needs to be provided on an extra sheet of paper. But just wanted to double check here, in case anyone has a more definitive answer, preferably from experience.

 

Thanks!

[igoyougoduke 1,677]

part 12 item 17 is about non military groups like unauthorized ones 

[SusieQQQ 11,587]

My husband was also in the military way back. He obviously answered yes to the question about serving in a military unit (15a), no to 17 because (agreeing with post above) the usage of the term “group” implies something other than an official military unit, and then I think 19 was the only other yes answer. The interviewer did not question further on any of the military-related questions. 

[ajomr 0]

Thanks both, sounds right 😁