Renunciation of citizenship??

[Leigh]

Why hello all.

I found out yesterday that if i go and join the USAF i would have to "give up" my Aussie citizenship. Now heres my problem if i give it up how "hard/easy" would it be to get it back, considering that i was born here.

Now if that's what it is in the USAF what would it be in the RAAF? would it be the same and how "hard/easy" would it be to get my US citizenship back because i wasn't born there....a lot of questions i know but it would be good if someone had some sort of idea

Sorry if it was in the wrong spot but i'm sure Shane or BT will move if necessary

S! RAF_Leigh

[BSW727]

I would check with the Immigration and State Department web sites for those answers.

[ShaneG_old]

[quote]

[BFMF]

So if you want to join an airforce, why not just join the Australian air force...?

Hell, I can walk outside and see a dozen people that didn't even bother with the system, and they live normal productive American lifestyles.

...And they don't pay taxes, yet they think they have as many rights as I do, and they think they deserve even more benefits than me

[Leigh]

So if you want to join an airforce, why not just join the Australian air force...?

Hell, I can walk outside and see a dozen people that didn't even bother with the system, and they live normal productive American lifestyles.

...And they don't pay taxes, yet they think they have as many rights as I do, and they think they deserve even more benefits than me

well im not to sure ill find out correctly tomorrow...but it could be the same as the USAF only be "loyal" to one country even though were allies :S

[Hagar]

I think you need to give this a great deal of careful thought as it involves a very serious long-term commitment. I found this on the USAF website.
http://www.airforce.com/contact-us/faq/eligibility/#non-us-join

I am a non-U.S. citizen. Can I join?

Enlistment into the U.S. Air Force by citizens of countries other than the United States is limited to those foreign nationals who are legally residing in the United States and possess an Immigrations and Naturalization Service Alien Registration Card (INS Form I-151/551, commonly known as a "Green Card"). Applicants must be between 17 and 27; meet the mental, moral and physical standards for enlistment; and must speak, read and write English fluently.

Note: The U.S. military branches cannot assist foreign nationals in obtaining admittance into the United States. Questions concerning immigration to the United States should be asked of the U.S. Embassy. Only after immigration procedures are completed and an applicant is legally residing in the United States may an application for enlistment be accepted. Furthermore, in order to be commissioned an officer in the U.S. Air Force, one must be a native-born or naturalized United States citizen.

Note that anyone meeting the requirements can join the USAF but to be a pilot you must be a US citizen. That would take 5 years & there is no guarantee you would be accepted as a pilot at the end of it.

[ShaneG_old]

Hell, I can walk outside and see a dozen people that didn't even bother with the system, and they live normal productive American lifestyles.

...And they don't pay taxes, yet they think they have as many rights as I do, and they think they deserve even more benefits than me ::)

And what's worse, is that they'll get them, long before you or I will. 

[C]

Becoming a US citizen requires no effort. We let anyone in over here. We're like the Holiday Inn of countries.

That makes the UK a dodgy Motel or B&B!

[Steve M]

Dual citizenships do still exsist. You don't always have to renounce your native country. I can take up citizen status here in Canada, and still retain my US status.

For starters don't write a "Dear John" letter to Australia.

[ozzy72]

An alternative rather than applying to the USAF is to go for a Commonwealth AF such as the RAF, RCAF, RNZAF. They don't require you to renounce your citizenship.
Why does it have to be the USAF?

[Jeff.Guo]

You don't have to renounce any citizenship unless you're being commissioned. You can actually serve as an enlisted personnel without an US Citizenship.

...and as for getting it back, US Citizenship is not as difficult as many foreign countries, but it is still quite difficult. I wouldn't recommend it.

P.S. USAF, I don't know anything about the RAAF.

[Steve M]

You don't have to renounce any citizenship unless you're being commissioned. You can actually serve as an enlisted personnel without an US Citizenship.

...and as for getting it back, US Citizenship is not as difficult as many foreign countries, but it is still quite difficult. I wouldn't recommend it.

P.S. USAF, I don't know anything about the RAAF.

I don't know the regs for specifically becoming commissioned, but I do believe they cannot legally tell you to renounce your mother country, your beliefs, sexual status, or whatever. When you swear to the oath of citizenship you have said all you are required to say or do.
The next hurdle is general intelegence scores, university courses under your belt, and some understanding of aircraft. Plus one hell of a lot of luck. And the ability to capitalize the word "I".
So join the USMC! We had a few aircraft on the tarmac when I was there.     

[Jeff.Guo]

They won't commission you unless you do renounce your non-American citizenships though.

[Leigh]

You don't have to renounce any citizenship unless you're being commissioned. You can actually serve as an enlisted personnel without an US Citizenship.

...and as for getting it back, US Citizenship is not as difficult as many foreign countries, but it is still quite difficult. I wouldn't recommend it.

P.S. USAF, I don't know anything about the RAAF.

Thats my problem ATM if i do "give it up" i dont want to see that 3 years later that i didnt get in a pilot seat and i wont be able to get my US citizenship back so yer its a hard one

[Jeff.Guo]

Well, if that's all you want (the pilot's seat), you will have to give up one or the other.

...you won't be flying any military hardware until then.