Naturalized Foreigner

Wolf57

Member
Joined
Feb 17, 2016
Messages
15
Hello everybody,

I'm currently looking for information about USAFA admissions. I discovered your forum and thought it was the perfect place to speak about it.

First of all, I am a 19 years old French citizen who hopes to get his green card in a few months. I've already begun college courses in France (the hardest in France) but I really want to attend the USAFA.

To achieve this goal, the only way I've found out is to first enlist in the USAF, obtain citizenship, and then apply to the USAFA. (Correct me if it's wrong)

Here are my questions :

1. I read that to obtain the US citizenship, you need to serve in the US military for at least one day during wartime (since 2001). But do you know how long takes this process ?

2. Assume that it take 1 year, I'll be 20-21 yo, will it be sill possible for me to attend this school ?

That's all for now,
Thanks you all for your attention, and God bless America :usa:
 
Hello everybody,

I'm currently looking for information about USAFA admissions. I discovered your forum and thought it was the perfect place to speak about it.

First of all, I am a 19 years old French citizen who hopes to get his green card in a few months. I've already begun college courses in France (the hardest in France) but I really want to attend the USAFA.

To achieve this goal, the only way I've found out is to first enlist in the USAF, obtain citizenship, and then apply to the USAFA. (Correct me if it's wrong)

Here are my questions :

1. I read that to obtain the US citizenship, you need to serve in the US military for at least one day during wartime (since 2001). But do you know how long takes this process ?

2. Assume that it take 1 year, I'll be 20-21 yo, will it be sill possible for me to attend this school ?

That's all for now,
Thanks you all for your attention, and God bless America :usa:


As far as age goes, you have to be between 17-23yo by July 1st of the year you enter the academy. According to this timeline, you'll be good.
 
Okay that sounds great!

Another question : is it really hard to get nominated by your superiors to attend the AFA once you're enlisted ?
 
First of all, I am a 19 years old French citizen who hopes to get his green card in a few months. I've already begun college courses in France (the hardest in France) but I really want to attend the USAFA.

Have you taken SAT/ACT yet? If you didn't attend school in US, SAT/ACT scores will play a larger role in your evaluation.
 
Pourquoi ne pas allez a L'Ecole de L'Air et piloter des Rafales apres? :)

I'm currently preparing the exams, but they are really hard (20 000 candidates each year, 50 selected to pilot Rafale)
Of course, attending the Ecole de l'Air is one of my dream too ;) (I'm taking the exams on May i'll keep you updated)

PS: tu as l'air de bien parler français !
 
Have you taken SAT/ACT yet? If you didn't attend school in US, SAT/ACT scores will play a larger role in your evaluation.

Not yet, I think I'm going to try them (I'm really good in Sciences/Maths, do you know which one is the best for me ?).
I saw the evaluation is also based non-athletic activities such as Scouting, CAP... but it doesn't exists in France. Do you think that if I get a really competitive SAT/ACT score I can get an appointment at AFA ? (Without being Scout or another activities like this before)
 
Is your goal to Protect and Defend the Constition of the United States against all enemies foreign or domestic? And would you take an oath to do that without mental reservation or purpose of evasion?

Or is your goal to fly and look cool doing it?

It sounds like you would apply to any countries' service academy without regard to that program's end goal.

And yes, there is a long history of French and Americans serving in the other's military and doing so with great honor and distinction.
 
Not yet, I think I'm going to try them (I'm really good in Sciences/Maths, do you know which one is the best for me ?).
I saw the evaluation is also based non-athletic activities such as Scouting, CAP... but it doesn't exists in France. Do you think that if I get a really competitive SAT/ACT score I can get an appointment at AFA ? (Without being Scout or another activities like this before)

I equate applying a service academy like a running a race without knowing where the finish line is. The only way you can win a race like that is by giving your 100%.

Candidates are evaluated on academic, leadership, and physical abilities. At the same time, Service academies look for diversity. And, applying as an airman means you are competing against other airmen, not candidates straight out of high school. You can only control so much. So focus on what you can affect.

As for SAT/ACT, you can take both. You claiming that you are "really good in Sciences/Maths" is not enough information to make any recommendation.

Good Luck.
 
Naturalization takes from 6 to 12 months on normal cases. It is actually faster during presidential election years because they try to get as many people qualified to vote. They also tend to expedite for military cases.
 
Is your goal to Protect and Defend the Constition of the United States against all enemies foreign or domestic? And would you take an oath to do that without mental reservation or purpose of evasion?

Or is your goal to fly and look cool doing it?

It sounds like you would apply to any countries' service academy without regard to that program's end goal.

And yes, there is a long history of French and Americans serving in the other's military and doing so with great honor and distinction.

Thank you for your answer. Of course I love my country and I could serve in the French military. But I do love the United States too, and if they give me the opportunity to have my green card, it may be an honor for me to serve in the military of this country. I exactly know what the enlistment in Military forces means.

Moreover, I would like to be a pilot definitely but I WANT to be an officer. I also like the fact that military are really respected, honored in the United States.

So Yes I want a job which is prestigious, demanding, exciting, with responsibilities: this is why I'd like to be an officer. Like everyone else attending to this Academy (and others).

(And of course I also looked photos, videos of the AFA => seems to be an amazing college)

Sorry, seemed obvious to me.
 
I equate applying a service academy like a running a race without knowing where the finish line is. The only way you can win a race like that is by giving your 100%.

Candidates are evaluated on academic, leadership, and physical abilities. At the same time, Service academies look for diversity. And, applying as an airman means you are competing against other airmen, not candidates straight out of high school. You can only control so much. So focus on what you can affect.

As for SAT/ACT, you can take both. You claiming that you are "really good in Sciences/Maths" is not enough information to make any recommendation.

Good Luck.

Thank you for the answer, it is so different in France...
And sorry I didn't want to sound pretentious saying that I'm good in Sciences.
 
Naturalization takes from 6 to 12 months on normal cases. It is actually faster during presidential election years because they try to get as many people qualified to vote. They also tend to expedite for military cases.

Thanks !! Really helpful info
 
Thank you for your answer. Of course I love my country and I could serve in the French military. But I do love the United States too, and if they give me the opportunity to have my green card, it may be an honor for me to serve in the military of this country. I exactly know what the enlistment in Military forces means.

Moreover, I would like to be a pilot definitely but I WANT to be an officer. I also like the fact that military are really respected, honored in the United States.

So Yes I want a job which is prestigious, demanding, exciting, with responsibilities: this is why I'd like to be an officer. Like everyone else attending to this Academy (and others).

(And of course I also looked photos, videos of the AFA => seems to be an amazing college)

Sorry, seemed obvious to me.
There are an amazing number of people that come from foreign countries and volunteer to serve in the US military and I for one am not opposed to anyone that is willing (and able) to raise their right hand, take the oath and serve.

What your post implies is that your allegiance will be to the country that offers you the best deal - access to a SA and a path to being an officer.

It won't be the last time someone asks that question here or in France as you pursue a very unique path to a commission either in the USAF or the French AF

Getting an appointment to USAFA is a tough road. Getting there via the enlisted ranks is probably a more difficult path than the path the majority follow, getting there thru the enlisted ranks while starting off as a non American, becoming a US citizen and then applying certainly sounds challenging and perhaps even a first (but probably not)

Just know if you enlist thinking your path to a commission let alone a commission via USAFA will be easy, I would recommend you thoroughly understand the chances of that working out before signing any enlistment documents.

Plus, if you enlist in the USAF your chances of getting into France's version of USAFA will be delayed at least the length of your enlistment period.

I would venture virtually no one on this forum could advise you regarding your chances because of how unique your situation is.

It absolutely won't happen if you don't apply. On one hand your story is unique which will be interesting to admissions, but you are not a US citizen so you are currently ineligible and your perceived path is a battle against both the clock and the process.

Good luck
 
There are an amazing number of people that come from foreign countries and volunteer to serve in the US military and I for one am not opposed to anyone that is willing (and able) to raise their right hand, take the oath and serve.

What your post implies is that your allegiance will be to the country that offers you the best deal - access to a SA and a path to being an officer.

It won't be the last time someone asks that question here or in France as you pursue a very unique path to a commission either in the USAF or the French AF

Getting an appointment to USAFA is a tough road. Getting there via the enlisted ranks is probably a more difficult path than the path the majority follow, getting there thru the enlisted ranks while starting off as a non American, becoming a US citizen and then applying certainly sounds challenging and perhaps even a first (but probably not)

Just know if you enlist thinking your path to a commission let alone a commission via USAFA will be easy, I would recommend you thoroughly understand the chances of that working out before signing any enlistment documents.

Plus, if you enlist in the USAF your chances of getting into France's version of USAFA will be delayed at least the length of your enlistment period.

I would venture virtually no one on this forum could advise you regarding your chances because of how unique your situation is.

It absolutely won't happen if you don't apply. On one hand your story is unique which will be interesting to admissions, but you are not a US citizen so you are currently ineligible and your perceived path is a battle against both the clock and the process.

Good luck

Of course, I guessed it was really hard : lot of applicants, few selected. I think this challenge is worth it. Now I know that it would be difficult for me to attend to the AFA... but not impossible.

I'm also interested in pursuing a career as an enlisted but I want to climb the escalation ladder. I try to aim high while I am young, and aim high means finding the "best deal" for my future. I'm sure you do understand :)

I have other few questions :

1. To be an officer in the USAF, I can go to college in the USA and follow the ROTC program. Then I can apply to OCS.

Is it obligated to begin ROTC during the freshman year ?
 
No - you can join ROTC after you start. Check the ROTC thread for better answers.

I would check to see if requires US citizenship to even join.

Your case is unique and you should speak to someone that would know vs the opinions offered on this board.
 
Thank you for your quick answer, and for your help Cerberi
I read somewhere that US Citizenship was only needed for the ROTC scholarship.
 
Your path is not typical. You will have to be clear exactly what your legal status is and what you want to do.

There is a ROTC section on the forum but I would recommend you schedule a meeting with someone that would research your situation and provide clear concise answers.

The person you are looking to answer your specific questions will be hard to find
 
I've already begun college courses in France (the hardest in France) but I really want to attend the USAFA.

Just curious did you mean to indicate that your baccalauréat results qualified you for CPGE? How did you do on the bac?

I suspect that enlisting in the USAF, might be the riskiest way for you to proceed. The USAFA website seems to be in agreement with your understanding that you could participate in ROTC but not receive a scholarship. https://www.afrotc.com/program-requirements
ROTC might be the easiest path for you.

Also, it is possible for international students to apply to the USAFA. Although, your nomination would need to be made by the French government. Have you researched this, particularly the French government nomination? http://www.academyadmissions.com/admissions/advice-to-applicants/international-students/

Good luck.
 
You can only enter a service academy in one of two ways: as a US citizen or a French citizen. If as a US citizen then you must be a legal US citizen (having renounced your French citizenship) by Induction Day (I-Day) when you report to the Academy after an appointment. The path to citizenship is well laid out by the US government and you can look up how to do that. If as a French citizen, then you must go through the French government and follow the above link's instruction. If the French government wants you to go, France pays for your tuition and training and at the end of your 4 years you will receive a USAFA diploma but will not be commissioned in the US military. You will probably be commissioned in the French military, although that is up to France. ROTC will require the same---by commissioning date you must be a US citizen, and to even receive a ROTC scholarship you must be a US citizen although you may participate in ROTC in a non-scholarship status. I think you are getting all the paths jumbled together and assuming somewhere along the road you get citizenship just for trying but it doesn't work that way. You must pick one path or the other.
 
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