Fast-Tracked Citizenship?

[velocity500]

Here is the backstory on my problem. I am not a U.S. Citizen, and I am aspiring to become a Recon Marine. However, living on a Green Card got me as far as the MEPS and official poolee status. I was told that, in order to become Recon or even try the INDOC, I must be a U.S. Citizen. This being said, I was told that once I get to my first duty station, I can fast-track my citizenship.

Is this true, and if so, roughly how long would it take? Each and every day that my ship date closes in on me, I get more and more moto'd, but this question has been bugging me and just drilling the back of my head for some time. Any information would be appreciated.

~Poolee Domaradzki

[Echo_Four_Bravo]

You can get your citizenship more quickly in the military, but it still won't be too fast. One Marine from Canada that I know what out of the Marine Corps before he ever got his citizenship.

But, since the facts are that you probably won't ever make it to Recon anyway, don't worry about it too much. Join, be the best Marine you can be, and get your problem taken care of. Then you can give it a try.

[YLDNDN6]

That's great advice, E4B...so long as he can get in, and get a start on citizenship, it wouldn't hurt to wait until he got it, then go for Recon in his next enlistment. Always a chance that citizenship will come through, but it is best to just buckle down and give the Corps all that you can while you wait.

[rvillac2]

Domaradzki,

After serving honorably for more than a year, you can begin your application process for citizenship. The civics tests and other academic requirements shouldn't be too hard if you've gone to high school in the U.S. We are currently making it easier than ever for our troops to gain citizenship during this time of conflict.

However, while the requirements may be easily met, the process still takes time and evaluation. You may be heading towards the end of your first tour before getting it. As we advise all of our wanna be-recons/fast and other high speed job seekers, concentrate first on being a top tier Marine. Unlike in the civilian world, Top Performers are easily recognized in the enlisted ranks and good things come to them. Perhaps a shot at Indoc will come easy for you after gaining citizenship.

Another thing to be aware of...the citizenship requirement for Recon is a necessary element of the required security clearance. Even if you pass Indoc, your eligibility for clearance might keep you from advancing. (Sorry to pi$$ in your cereal.)

Good luck in your first endeavor...stripping off the slimy civilian in you and strapping on the green skin of a slimy amphibian recruit. ; )


Sgt V

[rvillac2]

Here's a story about Fast Track'ing citizenship that oughta warm you up.

I was in Bravo 1/14, a Reserve Artillery Battery in Southern California from 86-93. A young African Marine served in our FDC while attending UCLA as an engineering student and working in my city hall (West Covina). He was a first rate Marine and did his job well. When we were activated for Desert Shield/Storm, he requested immediate citizenship and it was granted. He drove downtown and was sworn in that very day. We served together faithfully as part of IIMEF under Mundy and was always proud of the fact that my country took care of this guy.

Until the day I saw him on the news....
We knew him as Mohammed Farrah. His real name was Mohammed Farrah Aidid, son of the Somali Warlord that waged war against our guys in Mogadishu. Years after the battle and his discharge, Farrah returned to Somalia as the leader of his dad's clan. He participated in festivities that celebrated the Battle and the U.S. loss of life. He is still there *****'ing himself out to anyone that give him aid/money.

Anything easily obtained is often easily overlooked and taken for granted. None of us take our Marine title for granted. We should remind those naturalized citizens that they shouldn't take that for granted either.

God bless the United States and it's Marine Corps.
Semper Fi,
Sgt V

[velocity500]

Understood. I already know that Force Recon/INDOC will be unbelievably hard but, by God, it is my goal and I will try my very best to obtain it, no matter the obstacles. I do understand that Force Recon requires security clearance and a citizenship, and that it will take long for it to process through, however, I am willing to wait. As I've told my recruiter already, the Marine Corps may take 4-20 years of my life, but I will be damned if I don't allow those years to be the best times of my life, and I will take everything the Marine Corps has to offer in terms of experience.

This is true, I am a wanna-be Force Recon, and I am proud to have set a goal for myself. The process will be long, arduous, strenuous, and difficult (pardon me if I mispelled some words), but that is what I want out of the Marine Corps.

Thank you for the information. Like I always say, it is never bad to try and network, and that is my purpose here on Leatherneck.com. To get to know Marines, their lives and what they have accomplished, and for me personally to set the bar higher.

Once again, thank you Marines.

~Poolee Domaradzki