Posted on 10/08/2004 3:13:49 PM PDT by El Conservador
I'll be graduating with a BS in Civil Engineering next May, and one of the options I could be looking for employment would be to join any of the Armed Forces (Army, Navy or Air Force).
As I understand it, college graduates are recruited as CO's. But in order to join as a CO, you must be an US citizen.
I'm a legal permanent resident of the US, and I'll be eligible for US citizenship in September 2005.
What would be my situation should I apply to join a branch of service???
Thanks. ;)
What is a CO?
I'd definitely go talk with a recruiter if you're serious.
Last week, 40-plus legal resident alien service personnel received their citizenship in a ceremony in Iraq.
There may be a requirement for officers to be citizens. If that is true, you could wait until after becoming a citizen to join. Or, you could enlist right away and become an officer by way of the green-to-gold program.
But to be honest, all I am offering is general information. You really need to get it from the horse's mouth for it to be correct. And you should also investigate all services to find the military occupational specialty that suits your education and background.
HJ
SFC, USA (Ret)
My advice -- go U.S. Air Force!!! Call a recruiter and ask about the citizenship question. Best of luck to you.
You won't automatically be an officer. You would have had to be in ROTC for 2 or 3 years. If not, you would have to go to OCS (Officer Candidate School) once you're in the military. A college degree doesn't translate into becoming an instant officer unless you are a doctor or a lawyer.
We have a recruiter here at Free Republic.
Let me find him and ping him to you and he can help you out and answer all your questions.
here's what you need to do:
wait until you are a citizen. There are several reasons for this. As a commissioned officer you will need to be eligible for a security clearance-something not afforded to you w/o citizenship. While you are waiting become a citizen go to the phone book and find your local Marine Officer Selection Officer!
I can't answer your question exactly, but I can confirm you are making a wonderful choice if you join. Thanks in advance for you sacrifices.
Are you thinking of Old Sarge? I know he just came back on active duty as a recruiter...pinged in #4!
Oh, okay.
I thought that he would know who that was, so I FReeped-mailed him. I didn't know it was him, though.
You need to talk to a recruiter..Im pretty sure you can join as a Commissioned Officer, but there may be limitations....thanks `for considering the military, and good luck....make sure you talk to all branches...
one more thing-good on you for loving your country and wanting to serve. Best of luck to you. This country needs more like you.
As a former Navy enlisted man. If I had it to do over again I'd have been a Marine. I'm not using my specific job skills learned in the Navy for my career but the skills I am using I could have gotten from all the armed services and frankly I think the Marines are the best.
And that's coming from someone who has a family that is represented in every service at one time or another. From the Army Air Corps, Marines, A.F., Navy, and the Army. Some of them several times over.
...advice needed here..
I don't tknow the specific rules, but I went through basic training, flight screening, officer training school, and flight school with non US citizens. How they got there and any limitations on their duty, I don't know.
Pinging you just because I can. On that other matter I may know something in a week/after the 14th.
Hubby seems to think you may be able to get your citizenship earlier than 2005...if you join...he seems to remember reading something from the DOD recently on just this issue....
Civil Engineering? Check out the US Navy, they have Civil Engineer Corps officers in charge of Seabees.
I agree.
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