Enlistment in the U.S. Armed Forces For U.S. Citizens

Military recruitment does not fall within the scope of the Defense Attaché Office or the American Embassy.  However, for your guidance in this matter, the following information is provided. 

All applicants for enlistment in the Armed Forces must be either a U.S. citizen, by birth or naturalization, or a non-U.S. citizen that is a Lawful Permanent Resident (informally known as a “Green Card” holder). 

In order to gain Lawful Permanent Resident status, a non-U.S. citizen must qualify for an immigrant visa to enter the United States.  Please be advised that an immigrant visa will not be issued on the basis of intention to enlist and service recruiters do not have the authority to circumvent federally mandated immigration requirements.  The criteria for granting immigrant visas are complex and the Defense Attaché Office cannot provide you information or advice on this subject.
           
You can find more information about immigration on the following websites:  U.S. Embassy London, london.usembassy.gov; Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs, travel.state.gov  and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, www.uscis.gov.  Alternatively, you may call the Embassy’s Operator Assisted Information Service on 09042-450-100.  This service is available Monday through Friday, between 8:00am and 9:00pm, and Saturday, between 9:00am and 4:00pm.  This is a premium rate number and calls are charged at £1.23 per minute, plus network extras, from a landline.     

If you do meet the U.S. citizenship or Lawful Permanent Resident criteria, you can request further information from the following recruiting offices:

For more information about each of the services and the various programs they offer, please visit their recruiting websites:

U.S. Army: www.goarmy.com
U.S. Navy: www.navy.com
U.S. Marine Corps: www.marines.com
U.S. Air Force: www.airforce.com

Beyond the above details, the Defense Attaché Office is unable to assist with information on any other aspects of the recruitment process.