Joining The Us Ranks: The Path For Afghan War Veterans

While it is possible for non-U.S. citizens to join the U.S. military, there are a number of requirements that must be met. These include: being a legal resident of the United States, possessing a Green Card, being between the ages of 17 and 35, meeting mental, moral, and physical standards, and being able to speak, read, and write English fluently. Additionally, each branch of the military has its own specific standards for enlisting, which may include taking the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test and meeting certain physical fitness requirements.

US Enlistment Requirements for Non-Citizens

Non-US citizens can join the US military, but they must meet certain requirements and there may be some restrictions on the roles they can perform.

To enlist in the US Armed Forces, non-citizens must be either a registered alien or a Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) with a Green Card. They must also have a Social Security number, be living in the US, and be able to speak, read, and write English fluently.

To gain LPR status, a non-citizen must qualify for an immigrant visa. An immigrant visa will not be issued on the basis of an intention to enlist, and recruiters do not have the authority to circumvent federally mandated immigration requirements.

Non-citizens cannot hold positions that require a top-secret clearance or security clearance, nor can they be Navy or Coast Guard officers.

All applicants must take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test and undergo physical and mental examinations to determine their suitability.

Army

To join the Army, individuals must be at least 17 with parental consent or 18 without. They cannot be older than 34 years old. They must have a high school diploma or GED, and a minimum score of 31 on the ASVAB test with a high school diploma.

Navy

To join the Navy, individuals must be at least 17 with parental consent and no older than 39. They must have a high school diploma or GED, and a minimum score of 35 on the ASVAB test with a high school diploma.

Air Force

For general enlistment in the Air Force, individuals must be between 17 and 39 years old. They must have a high school diploma or GED, a Green Card or Visa with at least two years of eligibility remaining, and they must be able to speak, read, and write English fluently.

Marines

To enlist in the Marine Corps, individuals must be at least 17 with parental consent and no older than 29 by the start of training. They must have a high school diploma, and a minimum score of 35 on the ASVAB test with a high school diploma.

Coast Guard

To join the Coast Guard, individuals must be a US citizen or Resident Alien, between 17 and 31 years old (17 with parental consent), and have a high school diploma. GEDs are only accepted in special circumstances.

US Military Branches and Immigration Procedures

Eligibility

To enlist in any branch of the US military, non-US citizens must be legally residing in the US and possess a Green Card (INS Form I-151/551). Applicants must be between 17 and 35 years old, meet the mental, moral, and physical standards for enlistment, and speak, read, and write English fluently.

Immigration Procedures

The US military branches cannot assist foreign nationals in obtaining admittance into the US. Only after immigration procedures are completed and an applicant is legally residing in the US may their application for enlistment be accepted. The US Citizenship and Immigration Service is the government agency responsible for immigration and naturalization.

Naturalization

Non-US citizens serving in the US military may be eligible to apply for naturalization under special provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). They may apply by filing Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, under either Section 328 or 329 of the INA. No fees are required for applying under these sections, and certain other naturalization requirements may not apply or may be reduced.

Restrictions for Non-Citizens in the Military

Non-citizen military members face several restrictions until they obtain US citizenship. They are unable to reenlist, receive selective reenlistment bonuses, or attend Airmen Leadership School. They cannot be promoted to staff sergeant, obtain security clearance, or apply for palace chase/palace front.

Path to Citizenship

The military provides a path to citizenship for non-citizen recruits. Since 9/11, there has been a waiver for naturalization fees for military members serving during periods of hostilities. The time to process naturalization applications is also faster for troops than civilians, as the Department of Defense and USCIS have agreed to expedite military applications.

Benefits of Non-Citizen Recruits

Non-citizen service members offer several benefits to the military. They provide linguistic and cultural diversity, which was particularly valuable during the Global War on Terrorism. According to military research, non-citizens are also more likely to complete their enlistment obligations than their US-born counterparts.

Recruiting Efforts

The US military has been stepping up efforts to recruit immigrants, offering a fast track to American citizenship for those who join the armed services. The Army and the Air Force have increased their marketing to entice legal residents to enlist, using pamphlets, social media, and broadened outreach. One key element is the use of recruiters with similar backgrounds to these potential recruits.

US Military Presence in Afghanistan

The US military presence in Afghanistan began in 2001 following the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The war in Afghanistan has been America's longest conflict, spanning two decades.

In February 2020, the US brokered a deal with the Taliban that would bring about a permanent ceasefire and significantly reduce the US military presence in Afghanistan. Former President Donald Trump accelerated the reduction of US troops in November 2020. The US military presence was to be reduced to 2,500 troops by January 15, 2021.

However, the Taliban's refusal to meet the terms of the peace deal delayed the withdrawal of US troops. In April 2021, President Biden confirmed that the US military presence in Afghanistan would end on August 31, 2021, but the US would retain a counterterrorism presence in the region. The US also planned to continue providing diplomatic, humanitarian, and development assistance to the Afghan government and "over-the-horizon" support to the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF).

Despite the withdrawal of US troops, the security situation in Afghanistan continued to deteriorate, with the Taliban making significant gains and capturing several major cities and provincial towns. This prompted the US to deploy additional military personnel to assist in the evacuation of diplomatic staff and other country nationals.

The US withdrawal from Afghanistan raised concerns about the country becoming a safe haven for terrorists and the potential for civil war. There are also fears for the future of Afghanistan under Taliban rule, with reports of strict Sharia law being imposed and human rights abuses occurring in areas under Taliban control.

History of the Afghanistan War

The Afghanistan War was triggered by the September 11 attacks and lasted two decades, spanning four U.S. presidencies, becoming the longest war in American history. Here is a detailed history of the Afghanistan War:

Phase 1: Toppling the Taliban (October-December 2001)

On October 7, 2001, U.S. and British forces launched Operation Enduring Freedom, an airstrike campaign against al-Qaeda and Taliban targets. Ground forces soon followed, and with the help of Northern Alliance forces, quickly overtook Taliban strongholds, including the capital city of Kabul, by mid-November. On December 6, Kandahar fell, signalling the end of Taliban rule in Afghanistan and causing al-Qaeda and Osama bin Laden to flee.

Phase 2: Rebuilding Afghanistan (2002-2008)

In April 2002, President Bush called for a "Marshall Plan" for Afghanistan, promising substantial financial assistance. However, development efforts were inadequately funded as attention shifted to Iraq. The focus during this phase was on defeating the Taliban militarily and rebuilding core institutions of the Afghan state.

Phase 3: Counterinsurgency (2008-2014)

In 2008, the U.S. adopted a classic counterinsurgency strategy, sending more troops to Afghanistan to protect the population from Taliban attacks and support efforts to reintegrate insurgents into Afghan society. This strategy was coupled with a timetable for the withdrawal of foreign forces, with security responsibilities gradually handed over to the Afghan military and police. However, this approach largely failed, with insurgent attacks and civilian casualties remaining high.

The End of the War (2014-2021)

The U.S. and NATO combat mission formally ended in December 2014, but the war continued as the Taliban regained power and the U.S. and its allies struggled to withdraw their troops and citizens from the country. The war finally came to a close in August 2021, with the Taliban retaking control of Afghanistan.

Impact of the Afghanistan War on US Society

The War in Afghanistan had a profound impact on US society. It was the longest war in US military history, lasting from 2001 to 2021, and resulting in significant casualties and financial costs.

Casualties

The war resulted in heavy casualties for both US troops and Afghan civilians. According to the US Department of Defense, approximately 2,443 American troops were killed and 20,666 were wounded during the conflict. The human cost for Afghans was even higher, with at least 66,000 Afghan troops killed and more than 48,000 civilians losing their lives. These numbers are likely underestimates, as they do not account for deaths due to indirect consequences of the war, such as disease and loss of access to food and water.

Financial Costs

The financial costs of the war were also substantial. The US government spent over $837 billion on warfighting, in addition to $145 billion allocated for Afghanistan's reconstruction. The total cost of the war, including reconstruction, was estimated at $825 billion by the Pentagon. However, other estimates, including one recognised by President Joe Biden, placed the costs at over $2 trillion.

Impact on Afghan Society

The war had a significant impact on Afghan society as well. It led to improvements in certain areas, such as healthcare, maternal health, and education. Life expectancy increased from 56 to 64 years, and the maternal mortality rate was halved. Access to clean water also improved, with 89% of city residents having access compared to only 16% in 2001.

However, the war also resulted in widespread displacement and refugee crises. While more than 5.7 million former refugees returned to Afghanistan, 2.6 million Afghans remained refugees as of 2021, and millions more were internally displaced. The war also contributed to increased corruption and inefficiency, with significant amounts of international aid not reaching their intended targets due to waste, fraud, and misuse.

Impact on US Foreign Policy

The war also had a significant impact on US foreign policy and relations with its allies. It led to a shift in focus towards counter-terrorism and nation-building efforts, and it strained relationships with some allies due to differing goals and strategies. The war's lengthy duration and heavy toll also sparked debates about the role of the US in the world and the effectiveness of military interventions.

Domestic Impact in the US

The war also had a range of domestic impacts in the US. It led to increased public scrutiny of the military and foreign policy, with the release of documents such as the Afghanistan Papers revealing that US officials had misled the public about the war's progress. The war also contributed to a broader discussion about the role of women in combat and the need for improved support for veterans.

In conclusion, the War in Afghanistan had far-reaching consequences for both US and Afghan societies. It resulted in heavy casualties and financial costs, altered US foreign policy, and had a lasting impact on the lives of those who served and were affected by the conflict.

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