Lol, okay. I was told that once that is done they could "sent me out". Also it was suggested that I lose 5 lb. Is 5' 10" at 185lb fat?... I really don't look fat at all. I will get in shape though. However. now that I know that I can use this semester to get in shape and finish as much credits as I can. Then, hopefully I can get the citinzenship issue resolved and I should be able to join.

Mkay... I'm still good. The funny thing is that I gain weight as I get fit. At the begining of the year when I was hitting the gym constantly I was at about 195 and looking the same really O_o.

Muscle weights more than fat.

If you fail that they test your body fat. Neck measurement vs waist.

Haha, really? I would look REALLY skiny at anything less than 185lb.

Height/Weight is really only a quick way to filter out the overwhelming majority of people who will pass "tape" well within standards. If you weigh more than what the table says you are allowed to weigh, you are simply "taped" with a tape measure to determine if your excess weight is from muscle or fat. If you consider yourself to be at all "muscular", then you may very easily fail "weight", but you will just as easily pass "tape". The military does not discriminate based on weight, they discriminate based on fat.

And yes, you must be a citizen if you want to serve in the military.

Hmm the citizinship thing must be new. I know of legal residents that have enlisted without fuzz...

I've been wrong before

Yes. A non-citizen can enlist in the military. However, federal law prohibits non-citizens from becoming commission or warrant officers.
In order for a non-citizen to enlist in the military, he/she must first be a legal immigrant (with a green card), permamently residing in the United States. It's important to note that the military cannot and will not assist in the immigration process. One must immigrate first, using normal immigration quotas and procedures, and -- once they've established an address in the United States -- they can find a recruiter's office and apply for enlistment.

I suspect that it would be EXTREMELY difficult to get a security clearance without citizenship though... this will narrow your available jobs.

I've heard of people joining the military in order to gain citizenship, but with what your wanting to do you may need some sort of security clearance that requires citizenship.

Yes, that a common misunderstanding. Individuals think that joining the military would aid in the pursuit of legalizing oneself. The catch is that you do become a citizen, when you die serving your country... so yeah.

Yep no good jobs without a clearance. Even after you become a citizen you'll likely be limited if you still have any connections with non-citizens.

His problem is not joining the military.

When I was on the Nimitz, we had a kid show up... I AM NOT FUCKING KIDDING... straight from the middle of rural China. His family legally immigrated, the day he was stateside he enlisted in the Navy. My dog has a better command of the English language than this kid did when he showed up onboard the USS Nimitz to work on a catapult crew. Although he barely spoke english, he "aced" boot camp and in under 2 years was perfectly fluent in english and able to speak very technically, and had advanced 3 ranks.

You can join the us Military not knowing how to speak english, not be a citizen, and be from the only country on the planet that we really worry about.

On the other hand... not being a citizen HURTS or eliminates your security clearance possibilities, but is very case specific.

My Dad is from Colombia. Before being naturalized, he was DRAFTED!! Served in the Ohio Guard during the 50s and 60s.

Both of his sons served. My brother in the Ohio Guard, me active duty in the Navy. On top of that, I am now a valuable, contributing member of MT.net (well, at least I make some posts)!!

Legal Immigration == Good for America
Illegal Immigration == Bad for America

I always encourage military service. But, it's like having children. It changes your life. It's more about serving your country than it is about you.

Shooter - elaborate on connections with non-citizens.

Sam - lol @ your second paragraph.

Hornet - I do not see why I cannot gain some experience or be more qualified for a profession later down the line, while serving the country as well. I do not know if I am misinterpreting the last part of your comment.

What he's saying is that your FIRST priority should be to serve your country, and the second priority should be what you get out of it.

There are dozens of ways that you could enlist, graduate boot camp, get out to a unit, and spend your entire 4 or 6 year commitment assigned doing NOTHING AT ALL that relates to engineering or aviation. Let's say you get pushed for an IA (read: prison guard in Afganistan) followed by finding out that you're rate is overmanned and the only thing available is Culinary Specialist, or your clearnace gets revoked, or you fuck something away really bad and get busted.

You'd better be damned well certain that serving your country is more important is going to be enough if your expectations don't work out.

"Ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country"
-JFK

I sense the tone of the postings are shifting... I really don't see why is such a big deal that I benefit while serving. Also, I could understand if clearances get revoked due to one's fault and therefore end up cleaning shitter while your in contrat. However, without offense to anyone, I would not join with that sole purpose.

Just about everyone gets to clean the shitters. Even with your $1000000 worth of training at a linguist... you will do it. Sounds like the Army isn't for you.

I see...

Too good to clean toilets?