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View Full Version : Question about citizenship requirements HELP

tingkka
03-15-2005, 12:41 PM
I was talking with a recruiter earlier. He was telling me that, if i don't have my citizenship, it's better to join up with the Navy and get my citizenship, which only takes 6 months, then sign up for the SEAL program.

I'm currently attending college, 21 years of age, and reside in San Diego. I can apply for my non-military citizenship in July...which will then take, on average, of 8-12 months; but given that i'm in california and the INS backlog is so much, i'm not sure if that's even the actual waiting length. One of my plan is to wait for my citizenship and join in with SEAL challenge contract.

OR

I can go into the Navy, apply for my citizenship, wait 6months (does it really take that short amount of time?), and request to go to BUD/S with the hopes of it being approved.

One recruiter told me that the military citizenship process can take as long as 1 year. and during the first 1-2 years, i can be so busy with my work in fleet that i might not even have the opportunity to put my BUD/S packet together.

I'm not sure what to do...and im' not sure who to believe. I'm just kind of floating around and seeing my options. Can anyone give me an advice and/or share what they know about which is better....to join Navy now or join Navy later? Sandfrog...you hear me out there?

THANKS!!
Courtenay
03-15-2005, 12:58 PM
You HAVE to be a citizen to be a SEAL. That apparently you know. SUPPOSEDLY the citizenship application process is faster for military personnel. I do not know if that is true or not.

The INS has a website, also an email contact. Go to the source!

http://uscis.gov/graphics/services/natz/MilitaryBrochurev7.htm
tingkka
03-15-2005, 04:26 PM
You HAVE to be a citizen to be a SEAL. That apparently you know. SUPPOSEDLY the citizenship application process is faster for military personnel. I do not know if that is true or not.

The INS has a website, also an email contact. Go to the source!

http://uscis.gov/graphics/services/natz/MilitaryBrochurev7.htm



So i went to the website and found an 800 number to call. I called them to find out about my situation.

USCIS told me that i am able to apply for citizenship 90days before the actual 5 year anniversary. That means, i can apply end of next month. They also told me that my city office is only backlogged 6 months...so technically, i'll be able to get my citizenship in 6months if all goes smooth. the only thing that may lengthen the time frame will be the swear-in date...if that gets pushed back..then it's shiat...but only shiat for a month or so.

but let me ask a totally different question. what rating goes well with SEALs. example: HM will be good because they need them, but a yaomen will not be good because it's less good for the team...get my drift?
i heard that some ratings are not needed by the Teams and therefore people with that certain rating have harder time getting into BUD/S. is that true?
sandfrog
03-15-2005, 05:45 PM
Rating doesn't matter at all in the Teams, the only one where you'll still be working in your rate would be corpsman.

I'm not up on which ones are currently source ratings, but you should be able to find out easily with a short search of some mil websites.

The citizenship thing is out of my realm of expertise, goodluck.
tingkka
03-15-2005, 08:29 PM
Rating doesn't matter at all in the Teams, the only one where you'll still be working in your rate would be corpsman.


so that means, no matter what rating i have, if i can perform well above my ability, then i'm good to go?
nospin29
03-16-2005, 06:52 AM
unless you are a nuke
A62
03-16-2005, 07:17 AM
Tingkka,

Do some research and make sure that your citizenship is not an issue for security clearances. good luck.

A62 out