I don't know how your police certificates work I'm afraid. Here in the UK they have a box for you to put in your maiden name in if you are married. The police cert should cover both your names though, I would try posting in the Philippines thread to get a definite answer.

Ling - CONGRATULATIONS! I can't wait till Alan and I are counting down to our first Anniversary. I hope that everything goes smoothly from this point forward.

No one be afraid to get in touch if there is anything I can help with.

Take Care

Bex xxx

Thank you so much , Cat, I hope Sarah will be back on here too then this forum is completed.

best wishes
ling

I am so happy for you cause your husband will be visiting you soon!!! Enjoy the times with your husband... duhh, I know you would....heheh... Mmm... I wish I could be with my husband too next month... I know he will finish his mission overseas and safely back to my arms

LOTS OF LUCKS TO ME AND MY HUSBAND AND ALL OF YOU AND YOUR LOVE ONES HERE!!!
Ling

thanks Bex... I wish you and Alan have a wonderful first Anniversary (wink wink)

ling

Wow...


A military member trying to petition his spouse is in absolutely no way a DoD National Interest.

The main purpose of a military expedite is to allow a couple to establish residence before the military member deploys.

I find it very hard to believe that a Commander would sign off on a petition to expedite a spousal visa as a National Interest.

Hi Matt85,


I just wanted to tell you in fact that you are incorrect. When the soldiers are overseas fighting in a war or wven at home going through training they are already under high stress levels. Their minds must be focused at all times because that makes the difference between life and death for them and their fellow soldiers in many situations.

A soldier having to worry about when he will see his or her spouse and about matters related to immigration IS a matter of DOD interest because they need them functioning and their higest levels.


At the end of the day it's NOT about 'the visa'....it's about getting their spouse at home as soon as possible so they can feel more at ease.

I imagine if you are not, and have never been in a military relationship it might be difficult to grasp. It's much easier to deal with a prolonged separation if your spouse is doing desk work all day than knowing they are getting shot at and blown up on a regular basis.

I'm not going to speak any more on the matter as it is apparently very touchy. I think our time would be better spent helping, encouraging and assisting each other in our quest to be with our loved ones regardless of the way we choose to do it.

I totally agree with you jamericanlove. My husband is also in the military.

Your NVC process seemed superfast, matt
ling

National Interest is and has proven to be in several recent cases a very serious and openly accepted reason for an expedite. Jamaican Love has championed the reasons for this above. Matt85 I think I have read previously that you successfully achieved a military expedite? We are a little protective here in the military spouses thread as several of the group have had unsavory experiences with people who don't feel that those in the military deserve to be treated any differently. Its a public community and people are entitled to their opinions we just like to keep our little corner protected I guess.

I hope that you are able to accept our word for it. Several cases here have been approved with National Interest as a key aspect of the expedite application...maybe not the only aspect but it has definitely played its part. I personally think its a step in the right direction, whatever we can do to make the lives easier for the brave men and women that keep us safe the better.

I hope everyones having a good day!

Bex xxx

request to expedite my application was approved on june 12 ( due to incoming deployments )

just got my NOA2

I'm sorry, but a military member being with his/her loved one is not vital to our nation's security. Any claim as such is completely outrageous.

Let's be clear, military expedites for deployment reasons are completely valid.

But now we are talking about just a general expedite for a military member for the reason of "National Interest".

I'm curious how these commanders, who are signing off on these "military" expedites, are wording these papers to reflect that reuniting loved ones is a national interest.

For perspective, say 100 military people apply for an expedite. Lets say 50 are deploying, and 50 are just trying to get one because they are military members. If any of those that are not deploying get expedited faster, it is a great disservice to those who are going to be deploying into Iraq/Afghanistan. This much should be obvious, right?

National interest entails accounting for our nuclear stockpiles, helping Americans affected by natural distasters, etc. Things of that scale. Not speeding up immigration because a soldier misses his loved one. No other way to spin it.

Matt

hey we dont need someone like you in our thread,, we need good vibes here and support!!!!

if you are not in the military then back off!!!

Dear All,

Firstly Hello, I have not seen this thread before and wanted to introduce myself as a wife of an active duty US soldier (I do't like Military Spouse as a term - It sounds like I married the military and not my husband, although I realise that this effectively means I married the military!!! )

Matt,

I can appreciate your point but it is not one that I can agree with. There are a few issues that as a none military spouse you will probably not be aware of and I thought I might bring them to your attention in the interest of discussion:

1. Military members are often away on field training with no access to phone, email or regular mail. The length of time can vary from a week to several weeks. And you can bet that this training will happen several times a year generally when you are waiting for an all important notice or packet. Personally, my husband and I have lost 3 months due to these particular circumstances.

2. Generally, military members do not work 9-5 jobs so getting to the post office, obtaining copy documentation, making the endless calls to the USCIS and NVC is difficult. Lower ranks have even bigger problems as they may need to get "permission" to do these things during normal working hours.

3. Divorce in the military is at a higher rate than the general population so you need to have a very strong relationship to cope with long seperations, regular moves and irregular work patterns. This relationship cannot be built up over the couple of months you might get prior to your spouse deploying especially as if he (she) has already receive orders to deploy as you can be sure that their mind will be focused on deployment not curling up on the sofa with newly arrived spouse!!!!

4. My final point is that when your spouse arrives you know that you will never have to spend this much time apart again. You know that when they go to work, generally, they will be home for dinner, weekends will be yours, conversations can be forever face-to-face. Military spouses know that their husband (wife) will be gone several weeks a year if not for a full year or more, we know that dinner will not always be eaten together (despite the fact you made it as you he was on the way ome an hour ago!), we know that our time as a couple, a family is only our own until the phone rings or orders arrive. We know that one day we may need to stand and watch our beloved partner walk away and deep down know that we may never see them again, we will want to run after them and say "don't go" but know that is just not something we can do, we know that nights will be spent lay awake one phone under the pillow, another by the bed and a mobile phone (or two) "just in case". As military spouses we know what we "signed up" to so I am not asking for sympathy just the compassion to understand that for every day a military wife spends away from her husband is a day that could have been lived together, a day that she may not get the opportunity to make up for over the coming years. A day lost forever.

So is the expediting of our cases really so very wrong? I am sure many people will say it is, but as the husbands & wives of the military we will disagree in strongest terms.

Regards

Emma

Congrats! Not too far from getting it (\^o^/). I love seeing good news! Hope you will enjoy your time with your husband before he leaves. What part of the US are you moving to?

Ps. I miss Sarah~ this thread needs her. (A lot of things have happened on this forum during my trip to Macau ><") Some people are not really friendly on this forum.

But anyway, Wish every military spouse the best and keep the good news coming.

I shed tears from reading your post Emma. I can very much relate to the situation of all military spouses. I would brave hell and back just to be with my husband before he deploys. Lets keep the faith military spouses we'll get there soon.

Hey Ruby_Jade...

Let's not even go there and get mad at anyone. Everybody is entitled to their own opinion. No need to turn it into an argument or debate. That's not what VJ is about and it's not necessary.

It's so funny to me how some folks can think though....when word gets out about the new faster NVC process I wonder how many people are going to be upset that the people here at VJ knew about it and were/are getting "case complete" in weeks rather than months when the NVC hasn't officially launched it yet.

You'll probably hear crys from people saying that it's not fair.

That's just how people are.....and it's sad really. We should try to be happy for each other.

Hi Emma, welcome to our little group here.

Matt I'm sorry that you disagree. We are all entitled to our own views though and thanks for throwing in your 2 cents on the matter. Whether we, here, agree or disagree with it is really of little importance, the fact of the matter is its happening and therefore people in the position to take advantage of it should.

I'm lucky Alan and I no longer have to meet the damands of a three way relationship with the US Army. For that I'm quite happy to hand my spot at the front of the queue over to someone else if it is going to help keep us safe.

Hope everyone is well today

xxxx

Matt, I understand you do not agree with the military expedites in between deployments and you are entitled to your opinion.

However, the fact remains that such expedites ARE indeed approved by USCIS these days and they are approved based on DOD National Interest. So your view on this is not "the only way to spin this", or at least definitely not for USCIS (and NVC). And this information is very relevant for other military spouses in the same position.

Hang in there Liza!!

ok i got a little carried away because of what he said,,,


I'm curious how these commanders, who are signing off on these "military" expedites, are wording these papers to reflect that reuniting loved ones is a national interest.


my DH just got a letter to expedite our case from his CO in IRAQ !!!

this is suppose to be a US military spouse thread i dunno why he needs to butt in unless he's gay.. LOL
ok im just joking!!!

HI EMMA,

welcome aboard!!! im ruby my hubby is deployed in iraq..
and there is nothing wrong with expediting our case!!!

GOT MY NVC CASE NUMBER AWHILE AGO...whhhhhhhhheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeew!!!!!!!!!!! few more procedure ,,,,

Congratulations!!!

We just got our interview date - July 11th THIS IS REALLY HAPPENING!

Bex xxx

To be clear, my object is to the those not deployed and not deploying.

For the record, I am in the military, and while our K-1 was gathering dust at CSC, I had a deployment looming over my head. I attempted an expedite and it was approved, allowing my fiancee to be here and learn her way around before I left for Iraq. I just got back in late January. I know exactly what you all are going through with spouses going on deployment.

Military expedite seems to be a "grey area" on the USCIS expedite criteria, as none of the options actually apply to it.

I even made a thread about it back then, as I was one of the few on VJ who had applied for a military expedite.
http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...c=43385&hl=

Everyone in the military knows the stresses and hardships, but we all signed up for this. We are trained to deal with stress. I lived in a tin shed for 194 days in a dangerous area north of Baghdad.

I just think that filing an expedite when there is no deployment is a disservice to those who are deploying. That's all. I don't mean to start a fire in this support thread.

I have to agree with Matt about military expedites.

To all of you who are complaining that you cannot be with a loved one sooner because an expedite does not apply to your situation - deal with, suck it up and move forward with life.

You fell in love with soldier, not matter what service he is, it his job to be away from you. You cannot change that. So deal with it!! I am a USAF wife and I have dealt with it. My husband hasn't been delpoyed and will soon be getting out as there are so many wonderful opportunites in the real world. We have spent some time apart. And my husband even missed the birth of our first child because we didn't know the exact day he was to be born and he couldn't get leave right away. He has missed a total of3 months of the 18 months of our son's life because I had to leave the US after 90 days. And he wasn't even deployed and he still missed a lot.

Yes it was difficult but deal with it. You will soon see him again. Sorry, if I sound harsh but you chose this life, so accept it or move onto the next guy.

WOW CONGRATS MHEDS!!!!

ur almost done

thANKS BEX AND RUBY FEW MORE STEPS AND I HOPE WE WILL BE DONE BY THIS YEAR...CANT WAIT TILL I CAN SEE HUBBY SOON..

Move onto the next guy ... ARE YOU SERIOUS?!?!? Thank you for your opinions, they make me glad I am here to help people who are struggling with better advice than ... Suck it up!

Everyone on this site is complaining that they cannot be with their loved ones sooner. The nature of love is that we strive to be close. We want to share our lives. No one on this thread is complaining that expedites don't apply to their situation. In fact quite the opposite...the expedite does in many cases apply to their situations. If you want to disagree with that you are very entitled to but it doesn't change the expedite process nor the rules that govern it. That is fact.

I don't know your situation nor many others on here but I know that I did not choose to fall in love with Alan. When my heart fluttered and I got butterflies in my stomach I wasn't thinking - oh is this man a practical life partner for me? "Sorry babe hold that thought whilst I just weigh up the pros and cons of us falling in love before I let myself be happy."

Your story sounds very sad. A father should not have to miss any of a child’s life. Alan was serving in a war zone when his son was born, he didn't know if they would ever get to be together, if he would come home on a plane safe with his comrades or in a body bag. He spent a year with a single picture in his pocket, not seeing his son grow and all the magical stages of development that come with it and his some heard his voice if once a month, over a crackling phone line for 30 seconds. Sadly Alan’s relationship with his son’s mother broke down over this period, as many relationships due when they are put under such intense pressure. Even when he returned to the US his Army schedule meant that he could not take his son even for a night. You know what ... he sucked it up, he dealt with it, he accepted that its life and he got on with it. I'm sure your husband will too and you will be together soon.

Please don't come into a support thread and be negative, we are not hurting anyone here. We just want to share information and advice. We don't come into the other threads talking about it there and we are not throwing it in anyone’s faces. People seem to think that expedites are like cheating on a video game, it is not that simple!!! If people are approved for an expedite that means that they have very serious problems. Possibly much bigger than either you or I can comprehend. USCIS will be the only people to make a decision on it in the end, not me, not Ruby or Matt or Sarah Jayne or you. If people feel they are in a situation that they can't handle then I will thank my lucky stars that I can handle my own situation and then I will help them find a way to deal with theirs.
I hope that everyone is well today.

Bex xxx

Thank you for your opinions. But I don't think any of us is unable to deal with the stress. Everyone here is trying to deal with all the difficulties that come with the military life and deployment. I, personally, married to a Marine reservist, who joined USMC right after 911. Yes, he wanted to do something for his country and he did. Signing up to be a reservist, he has been on active duty for almost 5 years and been deployed 4 times (3 times in Iraq). During his military life, he has always being getting deployed, being deployed, and just returned from deployment. Yes, when I met him, he was already in the military. He had a great civilion job, but the military life has impeded his civilian life. I hated it when he had to leave. I complained when talking with my friends. However, this doesn't mean that I don't deal with whatever that comes in my life. From talking to some Maine wives, I know that all of us hate this. I mean who wouldn't? That's why most people are not getting re-enlisted. Military expedite is the least the government can do for us. And all the foreign military spouses should try this route. After all, they decide whether to prove it our not.

Complain about it when feeling mistreated. And of course, we still move on and deal with all the difficulties. In this little corner, we support each other. Being supportive is the least we can do.

Hahaha... ruby... you are funny... lmao!!!

Congrats Bex and Melody!!! I just got the confirmation email of my ds3032 from NVC today and my AOS is paid!!! yeah!!! I love good news, keep going keep going GIVE ALL OF US MORE LUCKS!!!

Best Wishes
Ling

Marinebabe, I cannot agree more on what you said!!! Well, I've been watching here for a while and people starting to against our military spouses request for the expedite, and up till now, I think some of them go really too fast!!! Those who said the expedite for military spouses are wrong... well, i don't believe if you are in a same position as we are in, you wouldn't request for that!!! So what is wrong??? If you're in a same situation like we do which maybe wouldn't get to see our love ones anymore, I will personally try my best to HELP expedite all your cases...

Anyway, we are supporting our soldiers and our military spouses, we are helped, we are thankful and we would like to be helpful, so any military spouses have any problems with the expedite PM or leave us msgs here, we will try our best to help out...

All lucks to all of us and God bless U.S. Military

I do not see at all how filing for an expedite in between deployments, but without actual orders yet, is doing any disservice to soldiers who are deploying. Should people in case of imminent deployment be allowed expedites? Absolutely, and in my opinion with total priority (which is happening, and which the soldier can also help along by working via a Senator, since that seems to go faster).
Does this mean that soldiers on active duty not having orders for deployment yet cannot file? Not at all! A few recent cases (ours included) show that it is indeed possible to do it and get an approval. I would say this is a great evolution, since it means soldiers do not have to wait anymore until right before deployment, and can be with their spouse during the precious time they are home between deployments. Maybe this is a recent development and it was not possible a few years ago (I cannot verify that), but that does not mean that soldiers now filing for such expedites - accepted by USCIS in some cases we have seen - mean any disservice to other soldiers!

Furthermore, mentioning these expedites has nothing to do with whining about a situation, that we are meant to "suck up". My husband has been deployed several times, to Iraq and Afghanistan, and until today I have never "whined" about it.
The expedites are however, as Sarah first mentioned, not impossible and other people in the same situation have the right to be informed, so they might benefit too. How this comes down to whining about a situation is beyond me. And this is frankly the last I have to say about this.

For the rest, I hope you are well, ladies. Very exciting you got the interview date, Bex! Won`t be long now! I will be emailing the DS3032 today, Ling. Have a good day all!

Yay...Bex...You are getting there (\^o^/). Start packing!

you nailed it marine babe!!!

YAY its nice that i can make someone smile, isnt it wonderful if we will just support each other while dealing with our visa, deployments, military life etc. blah blah blah....
i have so much more to complain but i choose not to, its better if i will just count my blessings
like in the next month DH will have his R&R and finally see our 18 month old son and im about to send our I-130.. yeheyyyyyyyyyyyy

i will stick to my man no matter what happens, military life is not new to me my father is a retired military man so i know what im getting into when i married him...

Me too no matter what would happen, I will be always there for my husband!!! and yea, ruby, when i told my husband about what you said made me laugh, he also laughed hard!!! Hehehe...

All the best to all of us
ling

BEX dont just start packing,,, start SHAVING AS WELL .. hehehe

hmmmm interesting topics Mare... [color="#FF0000"][/color]

lol
you are funny, ruby

Oh Ruby I almost fell off my chair!! Your too funny ... Don't you think Alan will like the natural European look?!?!

Hope everyones well xxx

Firstly, I would like to apologize to those I have offended. I am truly sorry, and believe or not, I would like to support other military wives. I have been with husband for 5 years now and have been exposed to the military life and it is tough!

My objective to those wanting a military expedite is this -

I do not believe it is right that a couple files for this expedite just because the US spouse is serving his country. My husband is serving, has been active duty for 5 years and spent 4 years at the Academy before that. He lived, breathed and slept Air Force for nearly 9 years. He is military through and through. When he had deployment orders we considered the expedite option. But I decided against it. If he didn't come back I no longer had a reason to be in the US, even wih my son you is a US citizen. Thankfully the deployment was canceled.

It upsets me to know that there are couples out there taking advantage of a luxury that is the expedite option. While an immigration officer is looking into your file he is taking his focus away from someone elses file who is deployed or is about to be. You will never know if that person doesn't come home and if that case was ever approved but there is that small chance because of your file someone else has lost their opportunity to be in the US. The resources available to military is limited don't over use it. And the government doesn't owe you anything just because you are serving. Serving is an honor, your spouse chose to serve. He chose to wear his uniform with pride. And he is doing a wonderful job. By you being upset about minute things willl only upset him. This will result in his productivity and qaulity of work to diminsh. Affecting everyone else he works with. Overall having an indirect affect in their entire mission. Just because you were upset. I may be harsh but that is the reality. Being a military wife is tough! There are bigger things to worry about!

On another note, no you did not choose to fall in love with your husband. It was that last thing I was expecting or needed! But it happened and I changed all my short term plans for him. But I chose this life. As you did yours. You chose to spend the rest of your life with your spouse. You could have said no. But you said yes. So if you can't handle the political BS that is the US government, how are going to deal with the BS when you live on base or near the base and mingle with other wives and hear about he problems your spouse faces at work? Or the extension of deployments or cutting of retirement benefits?

I am only suggesting that you prepare yourself, it most like will be very different from what you are used to. And the last thing your husband needs is to be concerned about your problems. He needs to stay focused

Hows everyone dong over here?

Miss you all xxx

Everything okay here Bex.
Yesterday I could not sleep because in my head I kept going over what I will be moving to the US and what not, like a broken record.
Hope your medical goes well tomorrow, good luck!
Take care
Cat

Hi everyone here,

Mmm, it's really quiet a while here... I am just wondering how are you doing? Just hope everything is well for you all!!!


ling



Hey Bex, how are you doing? I wish you good luck and pass your interview!!!

all the best to all of us
ling

HI bex,, dont take me seriously..

If this process has taught me anything its to not take anything in life too seriously!

The medical went ok yesterday. Hopefully there will be no problems. There didn't seem to be but you have to wait for some of the results to come back so we'll see. Now on to the interview. I'm so ready to get to America and have Alan take care of me for a few weeks. Between work, school and all the visa stress I'm about ready for him to spoil me.

I hope everyone is well. Its so quiet in here recently.

Bex xxx

Heheh, Bex, I am overly jealous!!! I am going to make my husband spoil me too!
Everyone now is busy with the NVC stuffs I guess thats why its so quiet in there lately, but I think the will come back to let us know all kinds of good news!!!

hugs
ling

We're still waiting to hear what's being done with our expedite. It was sent in with the I-130 since the 10th (the USCIS system says they got it the 16th)....it got a touch on the 17th and nothing since.

I called the USCIS and because I'm not the petitioner or his legal rep (we didn't remember about the POA thing until long after he left) they won't give me any information. The guy told me that once they recieve the expedite request they take 5 days to give a yes or no and he said that if it's already with the case then once an adjudicator comes across it they will do the proceedure. This sucks....on top of which I haven't spoken to my hubby in 3 days and someone I've known for a long time died a couple days ago.

I'm sick of this deployment and I hate the immigration process....

P.S. Tomorrow makes 10 months since he left.

Hey JamericanLove

Sorry that you are having a hard time right now. I hope that you've had chance to talk to your hubby since your last post. Deployments are the worst thing in the world, even at the best of times but this process is exhausting also and beats the best of us. We are so very proud of you and your husband and every other military family going through this awful process. Have you heard about your request yet? I hope that your case gets moving soon, I for one will be sending you some good vibes!

Is everyone else ok? Ling does Brian know what he's letting himself in for when you get there I have had Alan saving for months teehee. I don't want him using the excuse that I didn't warn him! It's getting really close for me now and I'm excited!!

Lots of love

Bex xxx

So how is everyone doing?
We just sent back our Packet 3 for K3 back to the Consulate and are now waiting to receive packet 4 with interview date.
Bex, only one week to go until your interview!
Take care all (and happy 4th of July),
Cat