Proud American in Australia

T

tully37

5-Year Member
Joined
Jul 28, 2010
Messages
8
Hey there. I was born and raised predominantly is Australia to an American parent. I have been an American citizen for as long as I can remember. To serve in the US military is something I want to do and the academies seem to be one of the best ways for me to do start the process of doing so.

Sorry, to my question; Who must I apply to for a nomination? (It would be for the graduating class of 2016 so no real rush yet for application process)

As I am applying as an American not an "international student" (as USMA phrase it) I understand it is the Vice-President but I have also heard you can use the MoC from where your parents lived? Sorry not sure, just thought I would ask to see if I could get a definitive answer as I have gotten so much conflicting info in the past.

Thanks
 
As your situation is somewhat unique, I suggest you email an admissions rep to get accurate answers to your questions.
 
Hi!

Okay...your situation will pose some very unique and potentially difficult hurdles to overcome.

First, the previous post was 100% correct: YOU must, must, MUST contact the admissions counselors at USAFA and explain your situation and seek their guidance. They are AMAZING at this and they WILL know the answers!!! :thumb:

Second...you will have some SERIOUS things to think about/consider. Born/raised in Australia...I will bet my paycheck that you are considered an Australian citizen by Australia. You might even have a passport from Australia right now.

Unless the "rules/laws" have changed (and I will be the FIRST to say my knowledge here MAY be dated) you can NOT hold dual citizenship and serve, hold a clearance, etc. I flew with a guy that was born in Papua, New Guinea: one parent was Australian, one was USA. He was raised in PNG, went to college in Australia, and eventually came to the USA, went to OCS and became a pilot. He held BOTH USA and Australian passports/citizenship.

When he went for his security clearance...well....it took 3 years, he was grounded, stuck in menial jobs because he was a "foreign national." FINALLY he was cleared when he went to the Australian embassy, turned in his passport, signed whatever he had to to renounce his citizenship, etc.

Again, that was a bunch of years ago!!! It might not be that way now, but you MUST research this! You have some time but I would do the following immediately:

1. Contact USAFA's (or USMA's if that is your choice) counselors...they're the BEST at this. Explain fully your unique situation and seek their guidance. They may take some time to get back to you but rest assured, they WILL get back to you!!

2. Ask your parent where they're from (state, town, etc.) As a US citizen, are they paying US taxes? If so then their home state is listed. That would be the state you would apply from and the home town would be yours. This information will give you the two US senators and the US congressman that you would apply to for nomination.

That's a start.

Good luck with this!!!

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
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Yea, I know for a fact that if I go to USAFA, I have to renounce my Japanese citizenship. My brother and I had dual citizenship since we were practically born and when my brother went, he had decide to be an American citizen, dropping his Japanese citizenship.

But yea, as the others said, contact the counselors. That's cool your from Australia. Always wanted to travel there. Best of luck!!:thumb:
 
Good posts, except for the attention to detail part...where the OP said USMA...not USAFA. :thumb:
 
mom3boys said:
Good posts, except for the attention to detail part...where the OP said USMA...not USAFA. :thumb:
Click to expand...

This is the military we’re talking about, we need to start paying attention to detail! As we all know first hand, or have heard, they like details :shake:
 
mom3boys said:
Good posts, except for the attention to detail part...where the OP said USMA...not USAFA. :thumb:
Click to expand...

Fair comment; I wrote too quickly. :redface:

I have "edited" it a bit... :wink:

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
Thanks guys, (especially for the attention to detail :smile:)
I will certainly be calling the admissions offices.

P.S. I haven't truly decided which or how many of the academies I will be applying to I just quoted USMA as they were the one who had the most info on my situation on their website.
 
A couple of my classmates at CGA ran into this issue when applying for their SECRET clearance. I remember hearing that some of them were able to keep their citizenship but had to sign some agreement that they would give it up in the event that relations with that country went bad. Not sure how exactly how true that was/still is.
 
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