Why does it take so long to become a US Citizen? but little time to join the US Army?
360459
You most certainly do not have to be a citizen to join the US military. You do, however, have to be a legal resident. Those legal residents serving in our armed forces, however, can cut their required waiting time to become a US citizen down to three years.\n\nIn fact, many people join the military SPECIFICALLY to speed up the citizenship process. Our country realizes that serving in the armed forces requires a sacrifice. It is a dangerous job and your life is always on the line. That sacrifice is rewarded by speeding up the citizenship process. These soldiers has already shown their loyalty to this country.
1121523
There is no "automatic" way to become a US Citizen unless you are 1) born in the country, or 2) born of US Citizens.\n\nEven adoptive parents have to apply for US citizenship for their children.
184390
Wow! I cannot believe the answers of these people who don't know what in the heck they are talking about here!!\n\nEVERY first enlistment into the Army is for EIGHT YEARS. Those 8 years are usually split into two categories - active duty years and individual ready reserve years.\n\nMy first enlistment was for 4 years. What this means is that I am required by contract to stay in the Army on "active duty" status for 4 years. Once those 4 years are up, I am placed on "individual ready reserve" status for the remaining 4 years. This means that although I have completed my 4 year active duty requirement, I am placed in a pool that can be recalled to active duty for the length of the individual ready reserve status.\n\n* If you initially enlist for 2 years active duty, you spend 6 years in individual ready reserve status.\n* If you initially enlist for 3 years active duty, you spend 5 years in individual ready reserve status.\n* And so on, and so on...
865637
JPB and Just are correct:  you must be either a US citizen or a legal permanent resident in order to serve in the US military.
431999
I am duel citizen.\nDepending on how old you are you might have to go into the Swiss army. (maybe 20-30y) You can however, refuse and either do community service for more than a year or you will have to pay 4% of your taxable income to the army. (for 10-20 years)
275908
nothing makes you a US citizen automatically (except maybe if the president grants you one). You still have to take the test and meet all the other requirements. If you are married to a US citizen you are eligible for citizenship after 3 years, assuming of course that you spent the majority of those 3 years in the United States.\nYou need to file an N-400 to apply for citizenship.\nhttp://uscis.gov/graphics/formsfee/forms/n-400.htm
1045712
ok, this is for all the people guessing here\n\nYOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE A UNITED STATES CITIZEN TO BE IN THE UNITED STATES MILITARY. \nI know plenty of people in the US military that are not Citizens. \nNot being a Citizen will restrict him from certain jobs, but he can join.\n\nHave your son call up an Army recruiter, and you'll know all the facts.
790195
It takes a loooooong time. They dont generally exaggerate a whole lot on the websites. That is based on when it is a busy period, but I think it probably takes a little bit less. Good Luck with the immigration process.
512653
I'm completely on the side of the Mexican and South American people to gain citizenship, and , oddly enough , I think requiring a stint in the armed forces is an excellent idea. It provides employment, educational opportunity, and yes, a test of loyalty to the United States.\n\nMany countries REQUIRE their own male citizens to spend at least 3 years in armed service for their country, and have for centuries.
377723
it will take as long as they feel like it.  When I was in I got a medical in a week, but others had been waiting for 6+ months.  With me I was 12 days away from qualifying for all the benefits so I was rushed threw.  You should know by now nothing the military does makes much sense :P\n\nGood luck on your problem by the way and I hope things get better for you.
174984
Yes.  You don't have to be a citizen to join the armed forces, and your time in service will in fact speed up your citizenship process.  See a local recruiter and ask them this question.
938462
You need a green card or be a US citizen to join the military.Visas will not qualify you for enlistment.\n\nCitizenship for a green card holder in the military is fast tracked, usually from what I've seen someone will obtain citizenship by the end of their initial contract.But you would need to speak to a recruiter about that to get specifics.\n\nAs for a foreign legion the US doesn't have anything of the like and only takes green card holders or US citizens.
1147730
Ok,  you are talking about different concepts.  The first concept is the time it takes to become eligible to apply for US citizenship.  The second concept is the time it takes to process your application for US citizenship.\n\nFirst,  depending on your individual circumstances,  it takes anywhere from 1 or 3 or 5 years to become eligible to become a US citizen.  The general rule, in most cases, is that it takes 5 years from the date you became a Lawful Permanent Resident (legal terminology for when one gets his/her green card or immigrant visa), to APPLY for US citizenship.  \n\n(The 1 year period applies in VERY special situations, usually involving service in military;  the 3 year period only applies to those who immigrated as the spouse of a US citizen,  are married to that same spouse when they apply for US citizenship, and are still married to that same spouse, when they are sworn in as US citizens).\n\nSecond, the processing time varies.  Once you apply, it is taking -on average -- from 6 months to 1 year -- for the government to process your application and either approve or deny.  \n\nThere are still people who applied in years past, who have been waiting 3, 4 years and have to file special actions in Court to get the government to process their application.  \n\nHope this answers your questions.
636859
France ~ Enlist in the French Foriegn, under any alias name ~ and upon receiving a Honorable Discharge ~ you will be granted French citizenship.  \n\nEnlisting in the United States military is not an automatic path to American citizenship ~ at the beginning of the current war ~ it was discussed ~ but thus far ~ citizenship has only been granted post-humanously to certain members of the American military.  Although service in the American military ~ could and would certainly grease the immigaration skids toward full citizenship
555938
Because some immigrants choose not to wait and apply for citizenship via the legal process.  My thinking here is that some foreigners find the application process for citizenship too cumbersome and lengthy (which is no excuse, IMHO).  I have included a link below to the INS department -the site should get you started in developing an understanding of the process of applying for US citizenship.  I also included a link below regarding illegal immigration.  I hope they help - good luck!
424853
Because when you enlist in the US military, you are required to swear allegiance to the US and the US only.  Dual citizens have a conflict there, as they are expected to completely renounce their other allegiences.
858008
That depends on your location! A place like LA or New York can take a long time! Smaller towns not so long! I filed mine in Portland Oregon and it took  a little under a year and a half! This was together with my permanent residence. US citizens do not have any advantage over permanent resident applicants!!