Do You Get Citizenship After Boot Camp Marines?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Marines can gain through their service during peacetime as current service members and those that are already discharged

. In order to qualify they need to have served honorably for at least one year, obtained lawful permanent resident status, and meet the other general requirements previously stated.

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How long does it take to get citizenship after joining the military?

As a member of the U.S. Armed Forces, you may be eligible for naturalization after just

one year

of . This is a significant benefit (as it normally requires five years as a permanent resident before applying for citizenship).

Does joining the military give you citizenship?


If you served honorably in the U.S. armed forces for at least one year at any time, you may be eligible to apply for naturalization

. While some general naturalization requirements apply under INA 328, other requirements may not apply or are reduced.

Can a Marine have dual citizenship?


Officers are allowed to keep dual citizenships in most cases

. If you were interested in an MOS that required a higher level security clearance, such as intelligence, aviation, or communications, you would probably be required to renounce it.

Can I apply for citizenship while in basic training?


Soldiers looking to apply for citizenship can now do so during basic combat training

and at a faster clip than they have been able to in the past. In addition, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, or USCIS, officers may become a permanent fixture at places like Fort Jackson, S.C., officials said.

Can you serve in the US military if you are not a citizen?

Requirements for Enlisting If You Are Not a U.S. Citizen


You do not have to be a U.S. citizen to enlist in the military, but you may have fewer options

. If you are not a U.S. citizen, you must: Have a permanent resident card, also known as a Green Card. Currently live in the U.S.

Can an immigrant join the Marines?

You're considered a legal resident alien if you have an Immigration and Naturalization Service Alien Registration, INS Form I-151/551, more commonly called a “green card.”

Only foreign-born non-U.S. citizens having green cards can enlist in the Marine Corps or the other three military service branches

.

What is the fastest way to get US citizenship?

  1. Hold a green card for three years;
  2. Be married to and living with your US citizen spouse for three years;
  3. Live within the state that you're applying in for three months; and.
  4. Meet all other requirements for US citizenship.

Do you have to be a U.S. citizen to join the Marines?

Eligibility Requirements

To enlist as a Marine, you must obtain your high school diploma and be a legal U.S. resident between 17 and 28. To commission as a Marine Officer,

you must be a United States citizen between 20 and 28

and have obtained both a high school diploma and a bachelor's degree.

Do I have to wait 5 years to apply for US citizenship?

As a permanent resident,

you are generally eligible for naturalization after five years

. This is the most common way that people apply to become a U.S. citizen. To qualify, you must have lived in the U.S. continuously for the five years immediately preceding the date you file Form N-400, Application for Naturalization.

Do military spouses pay for citizenship?

U.S. service members and spouses and children may be eligible for citizenship (including expedited and overseas processing) under special provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).

U.S. service members are not required to pay a filing fee

.

Can I give my parents citizenship if I join the military?


Certain children of U.S. service members or U.S. government employees, and children of their spouses, may automatically acquire citizenship under section 320 of the INA

. This may include children of parents who are stationed and residing outside of the United States.

How do you become a citizen of the Marines?

Marines can gain citizenship

through their service during peacetime as current service members and those that are already discharged

. In order to qualify they need to have served honorably for at least one year, obtained lawful permanent resident status, and meet the other general requirements previously stated.

Do you lose your military retirement if you change citizenship?

A retired member of the Armed Forces who becomes a citizen of a foreign country by naturalization and who voluntarily renounces his United States citizenship

loses the right to retired pay when entitlement to the retired pay depends upon the retiree's continued military status.

Can you serve in the US military with dual citizenship?

Further, the current policy statement on foreign military service recognizes that

dual citizens sometimes find themselves legally obligated to participate in the military forces of their other country of citizenship, and can do so in such situations without endangering their US status

.

Can you get green card through military?


The Immigration and Nationality Act (I.N.A.) allows people born in other countries to gain U.S. citizenship through U.S. military service

—in some cases without going through the usual preliminary step of getting a U.S. green card (lawful permanent resident).

How long does the citizenship process take?

The national average processing time for naturalization (citizenship) applications is

14.5 months

, as of June, 2021. But that's just the application processing wait time (see “Understanding USCIS Processing Times” below). The overall naturalization process involves more steps and a longer citizenship timeline.

How long you have to wait to apply for citizenship?

The 90-day early-filing rule: You may file your naturalization application with USCIS as early as 90 days before the end of your

three- or five-year wait period as a green card holder

— as long as you've met all other eligibility criteria. (Boundless has a detailed guide on naturalization eligibility requirements.)

How long do you have to serve in the Marines?

The Marine Corps plays a major role as the first force on the ground in most conflicts. Today, Marines are stationed around the world at all times, ready to deploy quickly whenever and wherever needed. Total service commitment ranges from

four to six years

.

Can I join the military with a felony?


It is possible to join the military with a felony, regardless of the military branch

. But your chances will be influenced by various factors, such as the severity of your crime(s) and your present legal status.

Is 30 too old to join the military?


For the Army, the maximum age is 35

. For the Navy, age waivers start at 34-years-old. For the Air Force, the maximum age allowed to join is 39-years-old. The Marines have the lowest maximum age for regular military service at 28-years-old.

What does a Marine get paid?

Basic Marine active-duty salary

As of 2020, the basic Marine active-duty pay for Private (E-1) Marines is:

First four months of service: $1,602.30 per month or $19,227.60 per year

. Over four months of service: $1,733.10 per month or $20,797.20 per year.

What's the oldest I can be to join the military?

The maximum age for Army enlisted recruits is 35, while the Navy and Marines cap recruit ages at 34 and 28, respectively. Under federal law, the oldest recruit any military branch can enlist is

42

, although each service sets its own policy within that limit.

Can I join the military at 45 years old?

Can I join the Army at 45 years old?

Unfortunately, no

. Under Federal law, the oldest a recruit can be to enter any branch of the military is 42 years old.

How do I become a 2022 U.S. citizen?
  1. Being at least 18 years old when you apply.
  2. Have had a Green Card (Permanent Resident Card) for at least 5 years, or for at least 3 years if you're filing as the spouse of a U.S. citizen.
  3. Able to speak, write and read basic english.

What are the 5 requirements to become a U.S. citizen?

Be able to read, write, and speak basic English; Demonstrate good moral character; Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of U.S. history and government; Demonstrate a loyalty to the principles of the U.S. Constitution; and.

Can I buy U.S. citizenship?

US Citizenship by investment

EB-5 and E2 are not a citizenship by investment program, However;

after getting a Green Card via the EB-5 visa route, investors can apply for USA citizenship after five years of Permanent Residency

. This process is known as Naturalization.

Maria LaPaige
Author
Maria LaPaige
Maria is a parenting expert and mother of three. She has written several books on parenting and child development, and has been featured in various parenting magazines. Maria's practical approach to family life has helped many parents navigate the ups and downs of raising children.