I retired a few years ago after 20 years in the Navy.
The President did not imply that the man was an illegal alien. A qualified person with a "green card" can join the US Armed Forces. They are not a U.S Citizen, but are a documented resident alien.
That person will probably not be able to obtain a job within the service that requires a security clearance above "CONFIDENTIAL" access. Many cooks, admin personnel and infantry troops, etc. qualify for this service. No need to be a U.S. Citizen.
Usually, over the course of several years of service, these folks will apply for citizenship and go through the process like everyone else. Sometimes, if they will be permanently assigned to a foreign country (ie. work out of a base in Japan, etc.), they will be moved to the front of the list and have their citizenship proceedings expedited. This is the right thing to do for obvious reasons. Makes life easier for the service, the serviceman and the host country. Nothing more confusing to foreign immigration bureacrats than trying to understand the legal status of a U.S. Serviceman without a U.S. Passport.
Hope this answers your question.
Re: presidents speech
Member #: 23344
Registered: 5/4/2003
Posted:
93
Name:
Jerry Ketsdever
Name:
Jerry Ketsdever
Company:
Olympic Credit Fund
Occupation:
Factoring
Location:
Tampa, Florida
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