Au Pair and the US Army

[Wist]

I just got back from Russia after spending a perplexing time with my girlfriend. While there I stayed with a Russian family that I have been acquainted with for 2 years or so. During this time they asked me two questions that I could not answer. The mother asked me how she could get into an Au Pair program in the U.S. and her son wants to enlist in the U.S. Army. Both of them are fluent in English and the son has spent a summer in America. His parents are OK with it. Can anyone help me to point them in the right direction? I do know that foreigners have been joining the military since the begining, but...?  Thanks.

[acrzybear]

Enlistment into any branch of the U.S. military, 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 Immigration and Naturalization Service Alien Registration Card (INS Form I-151/551 — commonly known as a "Green Card"). Applicants must be between 17 and 42 (each service is different-USMC is 28 for enlisted/Army is 42 for enlisted); 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 any service branch, one must be a native-born or naturalized United States citizen.

The U.S. government agency which is responsible for immigration and naturalization is the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service. Their web site is at http://uscis.gov/graphics/index.htm

Hope this helps

[BillyB]

When I was in an airborne unit in the early 90's, there was a guy from England and Spain in my unit. They joined the U.S. Army although they are citizens of another nation. My guess is the people enquiring need to talk to the U.S. embassy in their country to get the full details.

[jinx13]

As far as the Au Pair thing, you can check out this website www.greataupair.com

 She can post her profile there and hopefully get job offers. Getting the visa is a whole different thing. good luck.