Wiggy91

Oh right, I'll check that out. Thank you.

zerlesen

Green card holders (LPRs) are non-citizens.

I don't know why I'd expect the Army to be dispensing accurate information about immigration, but that's still pretty bad.

A quick Google turns up a few programs from the past that allowed some non-residents to serve in some capacity (specifically, as health care professionals) but even these appear to have been targeted at people who were already physically present in the US, which the OP is not. There's no visa I know of that would allow him to do what he wants to do. However...

That's a bingo.

civilservant

As in the Clemson University Football Team Clemson? In SC? That team is the bane of my life

kimilseung

Good catch, that is bad. Seems they think a US passport is green.

Wiggy91

Their team is called the Clemson Tigers. I am not a fan though, I was made an honorary member of the "Crimson Tide" back in 2009. Made in 'Bama; ROOOOLLLLLL TIIIIIIDE!!!

Noorah101

There's nothing to check out. The embassy is where you'll have a visa interview, if you find a visa you qualify for.

Rene

Noorah101

Wiggy,

I have a military story for you. My first husband was an immigrant. He was in the USA on an F-1 student visa when we met. We married and did his Adjustment of Status, and he got his green card. He had a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Physics. He wanted to join the US Navy, but he wanted to be an Officer. When he talked to a recruiter, he was told that he had to go through the 6 or 8 week basic training, and when that was finished the Navy would "grant him US Citizenship". Not knowing any better, we went ahead with that plan. Of course at the end of basic training, the Navy then said they couldn't do anything for him because he hadn't been a US PR long enough to apply for citizenship, and they couldn't expedite it for him. He didn't want to stay in if they weren't going to honor what the recruiter told him, so he got a dishonorable discharge. It was not a good experience. This was about 30 years ago, and I know times have changed....but my point is just to be careful when dealing with the US military, even if you do get to the USA and become a PR.

Rene

scrubbedexpat099

The consulate is, around the corner.

kimilseung

That is not necessarily always true. Belfast being one of many examples.

Wiggy91

I appreciate what you are saying, since 9/11 the government has signed a bill which allows non-citizens to the right to citizenship immediately if they are deployed or after a period of time if they are not deployed, but on active duty.

The thing is, I am not asking for fast track US citizenship or special treatment in return for serving in the Armed Forces, I would like to escape the UK, I would like to reside in the US and I am genuinely interested in a career with the Armed Forces, more specifically with Armor both heavy and light and the US Army has the most outstanding Armor school of any nation on the face of the earth; even better now it has moved from Fort Knox to Fort Benning to make the Maneuver Centre of Excellence.

I'm sorry to hear your husband's plan didn't work out, I respect his decision to not proceed based on principles but I'm sure he'd have enjoyed the experience of serving in the US Navy had he done so.

civilservant

We all get what you're saying, but you have to appreciate what we're saying too. You need to get a Green Card by alternate methods before even thinking about enlisting, and at present you have no route to a Green Card - so it's best to forget about the Army in the medium term and focus on getting there first.

scrubbedexpat099

Marriage is your route.

Wiggy91

I do appreciate what you are saying, I am merely explaining myself to new people as they comment.

Cheers

jxv73

This is probably not relevant to the OP's scenario, but the US Army (not the other branches of the military) re-opened the MAVNI program. The MAVNI program allows health care professionals and translators who have certain valid non-immigrant status and have been present in the US for 2 years to join the Army. Those that join become US Citizens (without ever having to become permanent residents) once they complete basic training (this is a Naturalization under INA Section 329 - Service during war time).

http://www.defense.gov/news/mavni-fact-sheet.pdf

This allows the Army to recruit non-citizens without having to bother with sponsoring them for green cards or non-immigrant visas. The army will NOT sponsor you for the non-immigrant visa, you have to have that first.

sir_eccles

With respect I don't think you are fully understanding the replies you are receiving.

Congratulations on your forthcoming nuptials.