Hi, I'm a 22 year old female foreign student graduating university this fall with a BA in International Relations, interested in joining the US Navy, and have some questions.
My first and most prudent concern is that of citizenship. I am aware that to become a commissioned officer, one must be a citizen. Given the details of other factors in my life, it's possible that I could receive my green card by next spring. However, actual citizenship remains at least 3 years away therafter.
Another one of my goals in life, in addition to becoming an officer, is to attend med school and become a doctor. My family is conservative and does not agree with financially me going to med school.
While I was talking with a retired Air Force colonel the other day, he mentioned his daughter had attended med school, with her tuition paid for by the Air Force. I looked on the Navy's website and found an education program that not only covers tuition, but hands out a $1200 monthly stipend. For me, this sounded too good to be true, and it was – since it's an officer program, again only citizens can apply.
I talked to another officer yesterday, and he suggested I consider enlisting in the reserves when I receive my green card. He said that reservists are entitled to certain educational benefits, but I'm not sure I would be eligible for such benefits, again, because I'm not a citizen. Further, I'm sure if the reservist benefits would even include med school tuition.
I want to go to med school as soon as possible, and become a doctor in the Navy, but the 3 year wait on naturalization is a serious problem. If I wait the years to become a citizen and apply for the Navy med school program, I won't become a doctor and receive my commission until I am 30!
I really want to be part of the Navy, as a doctor. But I also can't just wait around for 3 years. Can anyone help give any advice or ideas??? Thank you!
My first and most prudent concern is that of citizenship. I am aware that to become a commissioned officer, one must be a citizen. Given the details of other factors in my life, it's possible that I could receive my green card by next spring. However, actual citizenship remains at least 3 years away therafter.
Another one of my goals in life, in addition to becoming an officer, is to attend med school and become a doctor. My family is conservative and does not agree with financially me going to med school.
While I was talking with a retired Air Force colonel the other day, he mentioned his daughter had attended med school, with her tuition paid for by the Air Force. I looked on the Navy's website and found an education program that not only covers tuition, but hands out a $1200 monthly stipend. For me, this sounded too good to be true, and it was – since it's an officer program, again only citizens can apply.
I talked to another officer yesterday, and he suggested I consider enlisting in the reserves when I receive my green card. He said that reservists are entitled to certain educational benefits, but I'm not sure I would be eligible for such benefits, again, because I'm not a citizen. Further, I'm sure if the reservist benefits would even include med school tuition.
I want to go to med school as soon as possible, and become a doctor in the Navy, but the 3 year wait on naturalization is a serious problem. If I wait the years to become a citizen and apply for the Navy med school program, I won't become a doctor and receive my commission until I am 30!
I really want to be part of the Navy, as a doctor. But I also can't just wait around for 3 years. Can anyone help give any advice or ideas??? Thank you!