Danish citizen - U.S marine?

[Navy102]

Ok guys, I could really need some help here! I'm a 15-year-old Danish citizen, born and raised in Denmark, and my "problem" is that I want to be an aviator in the United States Marine Corps. What should I do and do I even stand a chance?
This was not an over-night decision, this is something I've wanted to do ever since I was like 5 years old and went to my first NATO Air Meeting.
I'm going to the States for exchange in August, should I look for some help while I'm over there and where should I look?

I really appreciate any answers and comments you might have.

Thanks,

dannebrog

 

[Taxman2A]

I know that a danish citizen would have no problem enlisting in the Marine Corps, however to become an Officer you would have to be an American Citizen.
When you are in the US look up the closest Marine OSO to you, and sit down and speak with him about what you would like. What part of the US will you be living in?

 

[vegita1220]

Hey, having been/still kinda in a similar situation I'll emphasize the citizenship. Unless either one of your parents is a US citizen, it'll be a bit tougher than it should be. Lots of sitting and waiting for stuff to get done by federal agencies...which take forever.
Just remember:
1)Unless one of your parents becomes a US citizen before you turn 18, you will have to apply on turning 18 or ASAP.
2)There IS a minimum continuous residence requirement. Since you currently live out of the US, this will probably be a problem. Exceptions are given if you're living on a US military base or something. I think you need to have been a green card holder for at least 5 years having lived in the US for most of that time(www.ins.gov for exact numbers). So...you might want to get a move on that if you need to.
3)INS sucks. They're slow. Their N-400 form is a bizatch. I got a 780 on the SAT II and I still go nuts trying to figure out some of what it means. If you can, get a lawyer. Seriously. Also, their phone "help" service is non-existent. Get your congressman's office to do the calling for you. I did lots of that as an intern.
4)Register for Selective Service BEFORE you turn 18. I didn't know you could apply early and now I have to sit on my form for 30 days while SS gets back to me. Tack on another year for INS/BICS to process my citizenship app...
5)Fortunately, if one of your parents is a US citizen, you are technically a US citizen as well. Submit some form to INS and you can get a naturalization certificate.

As you can see...becoming a US citizen is itself a pain in the ass. Good luck.

 

[plmtree]

What Vegita1220 is one way of doing it, another way is to enlist in the Marines and once you're in, you can apply for your citizenship. Pres Bush waived the residence requirements on servicemembers that want to apply for US citizenship this past year, so you don't have to wait to live five years in the US before applying. Another benefit of going enlisted is that you can get your feet wet and get a good taste of what the Marines are about.
Like you, my dream since I was 7 years old was to become a Marine Aviator, but had some problems getting school transferred from Mexico to the US (I was about to start high school all over again instead of transferring as a senior) so I got a GED and went enlisted. Now, I'm 1 semester away from my degree and I'm applying for the officer program this spring. My advantage is that I'm a citizen, although my parents are not and you can't get a top secret clearance if your immediate family members are not citizens, that limits the occupational fields you can go to.
Anyways, this might be another way of getting to where you want. Just as it was suggested above, when you come to the States, find the closest Officer Selection Officer or even try to talk to a Recruiter. Go to Marines.com to get some info mailed to you, I'm sure you'll also be able to find the OSO or recruiter closest to where you'll be at on there.
Good luck.

 

[Enrique]

hello

well my friend if you want to be a marine aviatior just because you like the marines air planes and think that the marines sound cool well good luck trying to get in....I will say to you if you don't love this country or don't have the feelings for it or know what it's like to be in the country since you are a little one.or for while.it will be hard for you to understand why people in this country work hard, and think, the way we do. Many hispanics in the states would love to fly or become a special forces memeber or an officer but they can't because many of he/she family members are not U.S citizens just like some one mention before...they are some people that have spend all their lifes and know no other culture but the United State of America can't get in I'm sorry but I see you not getting in...And don't try to get married with a blondy because it wont work..INS and the FBI would investigate you and make sure that you are not getting married just because you want to be a marine pilot..the syste is hardeder the ever any way you are trying too look..(you need to work the fields or pay you taxes here first before you can even enlist...) I recommend you to apply in your countries navy and do an exchange program wiht the U.S navy that the best way I see. But you can follow your dreams and try your best that alll you can do.. AND BEFORE ALL THIS YOU MUST ASK YOUR SELF ARE YOU WILLING TO GIVE YOUR BODY FOR THIS COUNTRY...

JUST IMAGEN THAT SOME CITIZENS OF YOUR COUNTRY ARE PROTESTING AGAINTS THE U.S WAR AND THEY USE THEM SELF AS BODY SHIELDS IN MILITARY COMMPUND, AND YOUR MISSION IS TO BOMB THE MILITARY COMPUND WOUDL YOU BOMB THE SIDE, YOU KNOWING THAT THEY ARE SOME FELLOW CITZENS OF YOUR COUNTRY IN THAT MILITARY WOULD YOU BOMB??

I WOULD (YES) SINCE ALL I KNOW IS THE AMERICA WAY OF LEVING AND THIKING.

 

[vegita1220]

Originally posted by plmtree
What Vegita1220 is one way of doing it, another way is to enlist in the Marines and once you're in, you can apply for your citizenship. Pres Bush waived the residence requirements on servicemembers that want to apply for US citizenship this past year, so you don't have to wait to live five years in the US before applying. Another benefit of going enlisted is that you can get your feet wet and get a good taste of what the Marines are about.
Like you, my dream since I was 7 years old was to become a Marine Aviator, but had some problems getting school transferred from Mexico to the US (I was about to start high school all over again instead of transferring as a senior) so I got a GED and went enlisted. Now, I'm 1 semester away from my degree and I'm applying for the officer program this spring. My advantage is that I'm a citizen, although my parents are not and you can't get a top secret clearance if your immediate family members are not citizens, that limits the occupational fields you can go to.
Anyways, this might be another way of getting to where you want. Just as it was suggested above, when you come to the States, find the closest Officer Selection Officer or even try to talk to a Recruiter. Go to Marines.com to get some info mailed to you, I'm sure you'll also be able to find the OSO or recruiter closest to where you'll be at on there.
Good luck.

Good point. But INS still sucks. Count on at least a few months after you send the application(btw mucho respect for Bush after that one-finally a President who realizes someone who's willing to put their ass on the line for what isn't technically "their country" is just as deserving of citizenship as Joe Six Pack chuggin a beer and watching the "game" on CNN back at home.)

 

[Navy102]

Thanks for all your advises, I really appreciate it. I don't where in the States I'll be staying yet but I'll try to look up an OSO.

Enrique,

First off, I'm a girl so fat chance on me marrying "some blondie".
Second, do you really think I would be willing to leave my family, my friends and my country to go off to a foreign country and fight in their military and risk being send to war and maybe losing my life just because I like their planes? I'm going because I love America just as much as I love my own country. Yes, seeing the aircrafts was what first got me excited about the marines, but I was 5! All I knew was that I wanted to fly. Since then I've found out a lot about the marines and now I want join because I love the Corps. So I don't know what it's like to have been in America since I was little but I do know what it's like to live in Denmark, and although it's two different cultures, I'll bet we still have the same moral values and some of the thoughts I have as a Danish teenager is the exact some thoughts of an American teenager. As for working hard; I grew up in the country and I've been earning my own money since I was thirteen.

Am I willing to give my body for this country? Yes. I am fully aware of the risk of losing my life in the service and I still want to join.
As for wether or not I would bomb the compound if I knew there were Danes there, I can't say for sure that I would but if that situation were to occure I would have to remember that I am a member of the US Marine Corps and that I am obligated to follow their rules and obey their commands.

- dannebrog