Qualify for naturalization sooner? OCS

[portal 0]

Hello everyone,

I am currently in the process of obtaining my permanent residency. The I-751 has recently been filed and so my question is, is there anyway to expedite the naturalization process? The reason I am asking this, is because I am wanting to join the services as an officer. I understand I can go the enlisted route, but after taking in all the advice and considering my background, it becomes clear that this wouldn't be a smart move, for me at least.

Maybe somebody can shed a light on this. Possibly someone has already gone through this. It's not so much that I wouldn't wait it out, it is more about me requiring an age waiver to go the OCS route. I understand, if still married, you qualify for naturalization in three years time, but maybe there is a form or a way to expedite this process by signing up. I know it's an option when going enlisted, but is there any such thing for aspiring officers?

Anyway, thank you in advance.

[LKMK 85]

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but to be an Officer in the US Military you need to be a US Citizen because it is a requirement to hold a security clearance. And in order to hold a security clearance you need to be a US Citizen and all Officers hold security clearances. On the other side, if you become an enlisted Soldier in the military then they will expedite you US Citizenship. Generally, 1 year after you join. Then you can apply to go from enlisted to Officer depending on what your background may be. You'd be better off talking to an Officer Recruiter and asking them the questions then they can direct you to go. Do not speak to an enlisted recruiter first as they will just try to recruit you. By speaking to the Officer Recruiter first, you may be able to work it in your contract that once you become a US Citizen then they will immediately send you to Officer Candidate School.

If I were you, and you want to enter as an Officer, I'd wait it out. If you enlist, then US citizenship will be fast, but the path to become an officer will be much harder. Hope that helps.

Edited December 15, 2016 by LJ2016

[portal 0]

I am aware of the security clearance. I had briefly spoken to an officer recruiter over the phone and she made it clear that going from enlisted to officer was not an option, but then again I am not too familiar with how things work in the various branches and how much flexibility the recruiters have when setting up agreements. Enlisting would certainly be an option if they can guarantee the possibility of going OCS once I get my citizenship. I have a feeling, though, if I did enlist, I'd 'surprisingly' have to stick it out, the whole enlistment period that is. When you say it becomes harder to go from enlisted to officer, do you mean even with the guarantee? I guess my best bet is to go in and talk to an officer recruiter. The way it appears, I will have to wait it out and pray for the age waiver to come through.

Thank you by the way!

Edited December 15, 2016 by portal

[LKMK 85]

What is your profession? That might help me guide you a little more.

[portal 0]

My background is in computational mathematics and engineering. I worked for a manufacturing facility as an independent contractor, but I am currently applying to a few masters programs in either Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering. So, my goal is to finish up my masters before I qualify for OCS. That's why going enlisted wouldn't make much sense for me. I am in TX as well by the way. I am looking to join the USMC for MOS 0203, 0206 or infantry.

Edited December 15, 2016 by portal

[LKMK 85]

My background is in computational mathematics and engineering. I worked for a manufacturing facility as an independent contractor, but I am currently applying to a few masters programs in either Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering. So, my goal is to finish up my masters before I qualify for OCS. That's why going enlisted wouldn't make much sense for me. I am in TX as well by the way. I am looking to join the USMC for MOS 0203, 0206 or infantry.

Yes, I agree with you. Going enlisted would not be a good move at this point. I am an Army Officer and I know a Soldier who was a physician in the Philippines. He moved here to the US and wanted to join the military in order to obtain a medical residency. The recruiter promised him the world. However, he was "tricked" into enlisting as a pharmacy technician and the residency never transpired. He was trapped into doing his 4 year enlistment. Then and only then could he apply to the residency after getting his US citizenship.

[SanneW 30]

The only thing I could say is that even as enlisted you cannot sign for any clearance jobs, eventho you can get citizenship in bootcamp, you can only pick resident jobs. So I think it isn't any different for officer. They are pretty strict on it. I wish you all the luck tho, and I hope one way or another you'll reach your goal. I wanted to be officer in the Navy, but chose the enlisted route, because of citizenship.

Edited December 16, 2016 by SanneW

[NikLR 13,220]

Need to be a citizen to be an officer. No you dont go from being enlisted to officer except maybe in the Army. An officer needs at least a 4 year degree in the AF (not sure about the other branches.)

Enlisted certainly can get top secret security clearance jobs (hubs best friend had top secret clearance) but it's expensive and time consuming. In the private sector its about 10-15k to get it. An enlisted would also have to be a citizen for those job and likely have renounced any other citizenships too.

I remember hubs being worried about his background checks because he was married to a non-USC. But he only had maybe an hour long interview with the FBI. His co-worker was talked to for about 3-4 hrs. (For the FAA btw. Hubs was in the AF for 8 years previously.)

Edited December 16, 2016 by NikLR

[NikLR 13,220]

Btw with your aerospace background, would the Air Force not be a better option? Hubs best friend worked for space and satellites while he was enlisted. And yes you are stuck with your contract for however long you make it. 4 years for the first enlistment generally.

[portal 0]

I will have to wait it out. I hear of many instances where officers do get to keep their dual citizenship or aren't even questioned about it.

Security clearance takes quite some time. I remember being interviewed a few years back, while I was rooming with a friend of mine who was about to go on and do his fighter pilot training in TX.

Anyway, my heart would be with the Corps and if I decide to make it a career I'd rather do it there. Then again age may become an issue, so I'll have to see once I get my citizenship. I figured there may be a way to expedite this process through USCIS.

Thanks again to y'all!

[Ben&Zian 4,397]

Good luck, and as suggested, better wait it out and go straight in eventually as an officer.

I did six years active duty Army and as was said before, recruiters will promise you the world; but unless you get it in your contract somewhere stating "Upon citizenship you can go 'Green to Gold' " it still may be an uphill battle. Recruiters are ment to tell white lies and "promise" things but most the time it never happens.

Good luck to you on whichever route you choose.

[Alexy_dez 0]

Yes, I agree with you. Going enlisted would not be a good move at this point. I am an Army Officer and I know a Soldier who was a physician in the Philippines. He moved here to the US and wanted to join the military in order to obtain a medical residency. The recruiter promised him the world. However, he was "tricked" into enlisting as a pharmacy technician and the residency never transpired. He was trapped into doing his 4 year enlistment. Then and only then could he apply to the residency after getting his US citizenship.

I think you right sir, E4 enlisted veteran here now working in IT/software industry . Got naturalized within 9months and It was completely worth it - did not regret 1 day serving in the forces but i learned 1 vital lesson. Never take a recruiter's word for it.. LOL

[Ben&Zian 4,397]

I think you right sir, E4 enlisted veteran here now working in IT/software industry . Got naturalized within 9months and It was completely worth it - did not regret 1 day serving in the forces but i learned 1 vital lesson. Never take a recruiter's word for it.. LOL

Yup, a lot of people don't really realize a recruiters job is simply to get you to sign up. They have a "quota" basically they need to get quarterly of recruits. Plus sometimes does not matter what job you "want" or are interested in. MEPS generally has the jobs you qualify for listed by 'priority' or most needed to fill. Usually a lot of people end up in completely different fields than they thought they might originally..... I did lol.

But also to the OP... depending on your current age, by the time you get your citizenship... would you still qualify by age to even be able to become an officer? I do not know the current age limit but it was like 30-33 i think?

I can't remember and it might have changed again too, been out of the service for 6 years here now so I am sure a lot of criterias have changed.

[portal 0]

Federal age limit is 34 but USMC is 28. I am already pass the 28, but talking to the officer recruiter; she made it clear there is a way to get the waiver. I'd first have to score a 275, which won't be an issue, but after that who knows. Once I have my citizenship, I'd probably be around 30 or 31. We shall see what comes of it.

[Ben&Zian 4,397]

Okay cool was just a thought I had because yes there are several differences in requirements for officer and enlisted.

Like higher PT scores... instead of like 180 you have to always score 230 i think it was...

Certain higher scores in certain area on the ASVAB I believe it was like GT of 110 or more..

But good you're looking into it.

So again good luck to you.