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Heyy
I am currently highly considering applying to USNA however I have dual citizenship, Australian and American. From what I have read, there are issues that arise with loyalty (correct me if I am wrong) to America and so would I be required to give up my Australian citizenship?
Would it be worth it giving up my dual citizenship considering I've grown up in Australia? (I know the decision is completely up to me but I'd like to hear others opinions). It would be amazing if I got the opportunity to attend the naval academy and it's been my dream for as long as I can remember but I guess I'm really scared to give it up.
Thanks for reading my dilemmas
First, you need to ask yourself what every other applicant has to ask him/herself, "Do you really want to become an American Naval/Military Officer?" You can eat all the vegemite sandwiches you want, but at some point you will have to affirm to your Aussie family members and "mates" that you renounce your Australian citizenship. You will lose a lot of visa free travel having to use the US rather than the Aussie passport. Opportunities for overseas employment will also be limited by losing the Aussie citizenship.
Second, heed Captain MJ's advice and contact USNA admissions. It is their job to answer your questions. They can advise as to how best to and when to renounce the citizenship, if in fact, you choose to go that route.
Third, this was our DSs' dilemma. I am born and raised American. DW was born and raised in a formerly communist, now NATO/EU member country. Late in DS #1's high school years, we decided to get him and DS #2 passports from Mom's country. EU passport is golden, particularly in combo with the US. Just ask the HR department of any multi national company.
Since the DS's were born in the US they first had to acquire citizenship in Mom's country. We started that process. Shortly thereafter, DS #1 decided he wanted to apply for an AROTC scholarship. When the scholarship was awarded, we abandoned the process for DS#1 knowing that he could not become an Officer as a dual national. He never became a citizen of Mom's country.
We continued the process for DS#2 to the point of getting him a second passport. In the meanwhile, he applied for and received a 4 yr NROTC scholarship to his dream school, only to be medically DQed. Had he renounced the citizenship before being DQed, he would have lost the passport for good. He is in his fourth year of MechE, interning at this moment at Goddard Space fight center (no problem with Dual National there). The Professor he worked for at his university moved back to Germany. If DS#2 decides to do grad school or seek employment in Germany, like with Siemens, he will have the same opportunities available other 22 year olds from EU countries.
I am sure there will be a number of appeals to your patriotism and honor and tell you to make up your mind right now. They are correct in urging you to resolve in your own mind if you really want to become a US Military Officer. There many good reasons to have two passports and you shouldn't give one up unless you have to. I would hold on the Aussie as long as you can, while being completely open with USNA and being willing to do as they tell you to do.