"Combat Citizenship"

For a couple of years, I have been promoting the concept that non-US citizens serving in combat as members of the armed forces should have expedited opportunity to become citizens. Recently, I wrote on the topic to the president, CJCS, all service CoS and secretaries and AUSA, AFA and Navy League.

Responses from the CNO and SAF/PAC gave the welcome information that such procedures already exist. SAF/PAC sent a copy of pages from the website of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. They detail the expedited procedures under which a member of the military can become a citizen, even (and especially) in the AOR and also after leaving the service.

I encourage anyone who knows people in this situation to check the USCIS website at http://www.uscis.gov/. Go to Services and Benefits and look for the title Naturalization Information for Military Personnel. There are two pages that could be printed and sent to those who would benefit.