Foreign wanting to join up.

[Johansson]

My name is Patrik Johansson and Im a Finnish citizen. Ive lived my whole life here and ever since i can remember its been my dream to pursue a military life. Shortly after 9/11 I decided I want to join the US Marine Corps. After that day I knew my destiny was to be there. In here, every guy has to serve in the Finnish Defence Forces and I served as a military police and I was promoted to sergeant before I got out. Now that I finished that, Im going to come to the States and join the Marines no matter what. Ive applied for a Green card 2 times through the green card lottery program but Ive had no luck so far.
Do you think I would have a chance to join the USMC when I come there this August? And please dont try to discourage me, Ive made up my mind.

[Smeghead]

Can't enlist without a green card. Can't be an officer without getting US citizenship. I'm British, enlisted in the Air Force in 1997, became a US citizen in 2004. The permanent resident/citizenship policies apply across all branches.

Also, when I enlisted one of the disqualifying questions was whether I had previosuly served in another nation's military, but I've seen people who served in their home countries military serve again in the US armed forces so it seems it's waiverable.

Basically, you need to get your green card first. The DOD won't help you get one. If you do come over and decide to go to the recruiter no matter don't do anything stupid like buy a fake social security number.

That said, good luck. This has been the best 12 years of my life and I don't regret leaving Britain once bit.