How Non-Citizens Can Join the Army
Non-citizens have served in and alongside the United States military since the Revolutionary War. The military benefits from their service.
Non-citizens offer a more diverse workforce, including a greater number of members with language skills critical to the military’s global mission.
You don’t have to be a U.S. citizen
If you’re interested in a career in the military but aren’t a U.S. citizen, there are a few ways to get started.
One way is to become a green-card holder, a permanent resident of the United States. A green card is a document that looks like a driver’s license. It has a 10-year validity period and can be renewed. In addition, many immigrants have been able to join the army through a program called MAVNI (Military Accessions Vital to the National Interest), which allows non-citizens to serve in sensitive jobs such as interpreters and medical professionals.
Another option is to sign up for the Selective Service System. It’s an online service that lets eligible citizens register for duty if they live outside the country. They can also check the status of their registration online or print a copy to take with them when they travel.
A third option is to join the National Guard, which is federally recognized as a reserve component of the military. They can be deployed anytime and are available for active duty if the need arises.
The military offers a number of benefits to its members, including education and health care. For example, the Tuition Assistance Program covers up to 100 percent of tuition fees for those serving in the military or their family.
You can also take advantage of the Forever GI Bill, which helps veterans pay off their existing loans and tuition. You can even apply for scholarships to help you further your education.
There are also a number of other benefits for immigrants who enlist in the army. For example, if you are married or have children, you can bring them to military base and receive maternity leave, as well as health care.
In addition, if you enlist in the Army, you can receive up to $15,000 in training funds and a monthly housing allowance. The military also pays for health care and provides a variety of other services, such as counseling and job training.
In addition, if you are a green-card holder who has been in the United States for at least five years, you can apply for citizenship after you’ve served for one year. However, as of February 2018, there are some restrictions on how quickly you can complete the process. This may make it harder to enlist than it was a few years ago, so be sure to read the policy carefully.
You don’t have to be a green-card holder
If you’re a noncitizen, you can join the army without being a green-card holder. However, you should know that you will have to pass a background check and enlist with the help of a recruiter. You will also have to take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery exam before you can start training to become a member of the army.
The military is a great place to serve your country and build a career, but it can be difficult to get there. The army’s recruiting process isn’t as quick as other industries, and you must have a high school diploma to apply. In addition, the job requirements are stricter than those of other types of careers, and there are some jobs in the military that are only available to American citizens.
For some foreign nationals, serving in the military has proven to be a great way to secure a green card and eventually naturalize as a citizen. These individuals are called “military-affiliated visa naturalization” or MAVNI.
To become a military-affiliated visa naturalization candidate, you must have been in the United States as a lawful permanent resident (green card holder) for five years or more before applying for naturalization. You can count your service in the armed forces toward this requirement, and you can file for naturalization at the same time as your spouse.
Another benefit to a green card holder who serves in the armed forces is that they can apply for citizenship after only one year of service. This is faster than the normal five-year requirement for citizenship, and it means that you will not have to wait as long as most other immigrants.
The US Immigration and Naturalization Service has a special process for military-affiliated candidates. In this process, a sponsor is allowed to file an I-130 petition on your behalf, which can result in a green card and permanent residence in the US. The entire application process may take some time, and you should work closely with your immigration attorney to make sure that you’re on the right track.
If you’re thinking about becoming a military-affiliated visa naturalization citizen, contact an immigration attorney to learn more about the process. It can take a while to complete the process, and you’ll need to have a lot of patience and dedication.
You don’t have to be a high school graduate
A high school diploma isn’t the only requirement for enlisting in the army. Recruits must also pass a physical fitness test and undergo military training.
However, the army does accept GED candidates. The service limits the number of applicants based on a percentage of its total enlistment.
The army is one of the most popular enlistment incentives for young adults, and it provides job security, a free college education, and opportunities for leadership. The military also offers loan repayment programs that can help enlisted members pay back their education debt after completing their service.
If you’re not a high school graduate, you may be eligible to join the army if you score well on the Army Service Volunteers Aptitude Battery. These tests are administered at several test centers throughout the country.
You may be able to skip some of the initial training if you earn a good score on the test. You will be required to attend classes and participate in drills for a certain amount of time before being allowed to enlist.
While the military can provide a rewarding career for young people, it is important to think carefully about your future before joining. It’s a long commitment that can take you away from home and in dangerous situations. It can also put your family at risk, and even cause you to die in the line of duty.
There are many different ways to enter the army without a high school diploma, but each branch has its own requirements. If you’re unsure about whether the army is right for you, it’s a good idea to speak with a military representative or a recruiter about the specifics of your situation.
Another way to get into the army is to become an officer, which means you’ll be in charge of running a group of enlisted soldiers. This is a great opportunity for aspiring officers because it can give them a leg up on their competition in the civilian work force, as employers place a premium on people who have management skills.
The army also offers a delayed entry program for senior high school students who want to join the army but can’t quite complete their degree. This program is available for the Army, Air Force, Navy and Marines.
You don’t have to be a doctor
The army is a great place to start a career as a doctor, but not everyone wants to become a medical practitioner. Many people want to serve their country, see the world and make a difference. If you’re interested in becoming a military doctor but don’t think you can handle the training required to be one, here are some options for how you can join the army without being a doctor:
You can join the army as an enlisted member (green-card holders only). The United States Department of Defense offers this program to green-card holders who have graduated from high school or have obtained their bachelor’s degree. The program allows you to work toward a commission as an officer in the military.
However, you need to be sure you are ready for a multi-year commitment and possible deployment. You will be stationed where the army needs you and your job will likely be very different from your pre-service life. You could also find yourself in a very remote area, with little access to support systems or medical care.
Another consideration is the physical requirements of military service. You will have to undergo a physical exam to ensure that you can handle the demands of military medicine. The physical requirement varies depending on the medical program you choose, but it typically includes blood tests and a mental health screening.
As a physician in the military, you will need to be flexible. While you may specialize in a specific field, you will often be called upon to treat patients with conditions that are more typically handled by general surgeons or pediatricians. These are known as cross-specialty responsibilities.
These situations require you to have a strong support system and excellent training. But they can be stressful at times.
You also need to have the strength and stamina to be deployed for extended periods of time and be away from your family, loved ones and friends. This can cause anxiety or PTSD in some soldiers.
The military provides generous financial assistance to its physicians, and it pays for most of your medical school tuition. There is also a monthly stipend for those who complete residency, and they can apply to get a fellowship.