Hi,

I have a brief question.

In a few months I'm turning 18, and I'm being conscripted to my country's military (basic training 6 months) in Europe.

However, I want to serve in the USMC, since I read information about enlisting and found out about the prodecude, I will apparently need to have a permanent residence permit/green card. Applying for citizenship costs $1000+ so I have already sold all my valuable possessions in case I need to pay fees to USCIS (and if I don't get accepted, I'll keep trying)

If I complete the basic training in my country, am I automatically disqualified from serving in any branch of the U.S. Military in the future (especially the Marine Corps)?

If that's the case I'm just going to skip the training in my country (which you can postpone until you're about 30), and move to the US after christmas. I already have a friend there who can employ me, even if he couldn't, I'll do anything to stay in the US while waiting for my enlistment to go through.

Thanks

You might get a answer if you fill out your profile!

quote:

Originally posted by krs1261:
You might get a answer if you fill out your profile!

Thanks for the help. I also viewed your profile and saw you are a long-time Marine. Respect

Where in Finland are you from, and have you applied for the lottery?

quote:

Originally posted by HollywoodMarine:
Where in Finland are you from, and have you applied for the lottery?

Hi, (I'm in southern Finland, Helsinki)

I did on http://www.dvlottery.state.gov/ (seems to be a government domain so I trusted it)

It appears 50,000 people out of some few million are accepted each year.

If I don't win a green card (which realistically is probably going to happen), is there another way to apply? Or is the green card the only way to acquire Permanent Resident status in the USA?

Also, is there a site stating rules for enlistment in the USMC? If I'm disqualified by serving the compulsory 6 months here, I'm not going to attend.

Thanks (HollywoodMarine)

quote:

Originally posted by ErikS5:
Hi, (I'm in southern Finland, Helsinki)

OUTFREGGIN' STANDING! My girlfriend was born in Helsinki, and now lives in Esbo/Espoo. She too has applied for the lottery, and desires to enlist in the USMC when she receives her GC. The system is not perfect, but keep applying and don't give up.

quote:

If I don't win a green card (which realistically is probably going to happen), is there another way to apply?

If I remember correctly, you have to be under 21, with family living in the States who will sponser you to receive your GC. If you are over 21, it become a bit more difficult. But keep reading the offical USCIS website, and you might get the answers you are looking for.

quote:

Or is the green card the only way to acquire Permanent Resident status in the USA?

Once you have your resident GC, you can apply for Permanent Citizenship.

quote:

Also, is there a site stating rules for enlistment in the USMC? If I'm disqualified by serving the compulsory 6 months here, I'm not going to attend.

I read or heard somewhere regarding foreign military service DQ'ing you, but I can't remember where that was. Anyway, have you placed any thought about Non-military service for thirteen months?

quote:

Anyway, have you placed any thought about Non-military service for thirteen months?

It's an option, but there's social stigma attached to it in this country. That leaves me with double-trouble because if I end up never recieving a GC at all, I'm both seen as a 'wuss' in my country by my peers, and I lose the chance to complete military service in my own country as well.

Then there's a 3rd option which your GF might've told you about: Going to prison. Yes, here if you don't do communal service or serve in the army, you will be arrested and remain incarcerated for about 220 days.

I could just wait around in a cell until I got a green card if that leaves the option of serving in the USMC open.

I attended Marine Corps electroincs school with a Marine from Europe who said that he had served in his native country's military. If I remember correctly, he was from Sweden.

quote:

Originally posted by jimnsc:
I attended Marine Corps electroincs school with a Marine from Europe who said that he had served in his native country's military. If I remember correctly, he was from Sweden.

Thanks a lot man. This info is very appreciated...

Did you try the U.S.Embassy?I hope you get your wish.....

Yes! Nice to know that I'm not the only Finnish person who's interested in the Marines.

I'm looking forward to the upcoming Green Card lottery.

As long as you meet the the requirements for enlistment (mental, moral, physical, and citizenship)in the Marines you should be alright. I served with a Marine who before immigrating to America had done a tour with the Irish Army (not the IRA), and a stint in the Foreign Legion.

Best of luck to you!

I served with a Marine who had been in the Honduran Army before he emigrated to the U.S. with his family.