In America, compulsory military service. Obtaining US citizenship through military service

Subject US Army and service in the army of the United States of America is very interesting - there is great multitude privileges, which I will tell you about!

Unlike "our" army, Americans are called to serve their homeland from the age of 17 (with the permission of their parents) and up to 42 years. Since the 70s, the armed forces have been working under the terms of the contract.

In other words, you are “hired” to work for a certain period, and you, in turn, undertake to faithfully serve for a period of 2 to 6 years.

You are given a contract, you read it, ask any questions and then sign it. From now on, you are the property of the state.

The US Army invites citizens and Green Card holders to serve under the contract.

Service in the US Army

Every year it is more and more difficult to recruit contractors, so the cash bonuses are growing every year. In 2011, a new soldier received a $20,000 bonus if he signed up for a minimum of 2 years. For 4 years - already $30,000.

The salary of a private is small, $1,800, plus a bonus, but he will receive it not all, but in parts every year of service under the contract.
If the soldier is married, then in addition he receives $ 1,000 at least a month for living expenses.

If not married, then the soldier can live in dormitories, it's like a small hotel for 2 people, there is a shower, toilet, microwave, air conditioning, beds and furniture. They don’t take money for this - all this is included in the social package!

Terms of service in the army for US citizens and Green Card holders

Ordinary Green Card holders (non-US citizens) have some restrictions, well, in terms of what job to choose, because, for example, to work as an interpreter, you must be a US citizen, but to be in a motorized rifle unit - it doesn’t matter, serve in special forces - you have to be a US citizen again...

In the American army, how to work

The US military is made up of several major components.
This is ground troops, called the US Army - the largest division of the US armed forces. Next come Naval Forces USA.
Then the US Marine Corps, it is subordinate to the Department of the Navy.
They are followed Air Force. Next comes Coast security USA.
The land border is guarded not by the army, but by specialized division Border Guard under the Department of National Security.

How much do American soldiers get paid in the US Army

It is also interesting to serve in the American army because good money is paid for the service! The salaries of the military in the United States would be nice for the heads of many states to take what is called "in service"!

If in Russian military registration and enlistment offices they paid $10,000-$30,000 for enrollment, as in the USA, then the word “mow” would disappear from our everyday life in a matter of days.

This would have contributed to the salary, which for the privates now is $1,294, and after 4 months increases to $1,399.

Having received the rank of private 1st class, you can already put $ 1,649 in your pocket with a monthly supplement of another hundred.

The maximum you can count on in this title is $1,860.

Corporals of the American army receive $1,827 for the first 5 years of service, and then the amount rises to $2,218 and stops there. But the sergeants are getting an annual increase of $100 or more.

Slightly higher salary officers. The general earns $153,000 a year, having tried on the shoulder straps of a brigadier general, he will increase the amount by $20,000, and becoming an army general will receive $215,000.

The system of special "bonuses" and compensation in the US Army

The salary of American military personnel depends on the length of service and it is clear that such a system increases the zeal for promotion.

This is also facilitated by the system of special army "bonuses" - compensation for money spent on food, if a soldier prefers home-cooked canteen food, free service housing.

If an employee rents a house, the army compensates him for expenses.

A separate line is compensation for participation in hostilities - $ 225 per month is received by everyone who is on military territory, another $ 100 is added to the military, who serve on the "front line".

In addition - $ 250 per month for the fact that the soldier is forced to be away from his family and $ 4 daily for the lack of comfort, which, of course, one can only dream of in the field.

All payments are made automatically and go to special accounts of military personnel. By the way, this is another source of income for an American soldier, since 10% is charged on an amount that can be up to $10,000, which significantly increases it.

It is important that this money is not taxed.

The amount of bonuses in the American army is incredible - for service in submarines, parachuting and diving descents, and even for such "combat" actions as duty on a day off.

Expenses are paid for uniforms, for a car (though with a reservation - used for official purposes) and even for a private plane!

"Pentagon welfare package"

In general, the social package provided is more than 140 benefits, which include insurance, which costs a soldier 5 times cheaper than ordinary citizen, medical service which includes the payment plastic surgery, expenses for education, transport, the ability to make purchases in special stores.

But since this goes on forever a good life cannot and the time comes to retire, the state has taken care of its veterans.

When leaving the army, each employee, depending on the length of service and rank, receives from $ 13,390 to $ 161,857 severance pay, the pension ranges from $ 664 to $ 18,061 depending on the rank and length of service, and multiple benefits due to veterans are retained.

According to the US Department of Defense:

  • The average annual salary of a private or sergeant serving in the army is $32,195 (an officer receives $64,125)
  • US Air Force enlisted and non-commissioned officers earn an average of $33,095, while officers earn $66,883.
  • Navy SEALs $33,744 US Navy Officers $65,940
  • Soldiers and sergeants of the Marine Corps - $29,355 (officers - $62,161)

The American dream in the American army seems quite feasible!

Socio-legal status of US military personnel

The social and legal status of military personnel covers 3 areas: general civil rights and freedoms of military personnel, military service rights, as well as their organization, military service duties and the legal responsibility associated with them.

American law sacredly refers to the basic rights of military personnel:

  • Suffrage (role in political parties, public organizations and mass movements, role in rallies, marches and demonstrations)
  • Freedom of speech and press
  • The right to rest (vacation no more than 60 days, on account of future service up to 45 days)
  • The right to housing (single servicemen are located in barracks or free hotel-type dormitories, privates and sergeants receive free space on the ground)
  • Right to education
  • The right to health care and health care (constant control over the state of health)
  • The right to compensation for harm caused to the person of a serviceman or personal belongings in the performance of official duties
  • The right to a pension (service in the regular armed forces for at least 20 years, as well as disability)
  • The right to burial (servicemen can be buried in both a state military and a private cemetery)
  • The right to a military rank
  • The right to wear military uniform ( military uniform not worn during civil works)
  • The right to material security
  • The right to dismissal from real military service (persons who have reached the age of 62 are subject to mandatory dismissal, officers also have the right to quit at their own request)

Successful fight against hazing in the army

In the US military, the first thing a recruit goes to is a distribution center. It is not sweet there, but sergeants, professional warriors, begin to educate him. In the US Army, sergeants are a whole layer ...

Communication between a soldier and superiors is strictly regulated. For example, even the places on the body that the sergeant can touch are stipulated. And if the sergeant intends to do this, he warns about it.

If he does not warn, the soldier can complain to the chaplain. The chaplain will be required to take disciplinary action against the sergeant.

The chaplain is an officer with serious powers. He knows the major religions and is approached by soldiers of various faiths for help.

If a soldier declares that he wants to meet and talk with the chaplain, no one has the right to interfere with his desire. When a chaplain sees that a person in the army does not pull, that he and service in the army are incompatible, he can go to the commander and ask the soldier to commission. And they commission him!

To become a sergeant in the American army, you have to serve 2-3 years. They get well, so they value their reputation and work very much.

If an officer or sergeant takes a bribe, they will not only condemn him, they will stop greeting him, they will not shake hands, they will turn away from him. It's unnatural for the recruits to squabble among themselves and the sergeant doesn't intervene.

The sergeant must immediately stop this Kindergarten and report to higher authorities. And if, nevertheless, an incident occurred and the soldier was injured, then treatment and rehabilitation will be carried out at the expense of the sergeant.

There are exceptions when sergeants may exceed their authority. For example, a grenade range. There is a special situation there, quite dangerous, and the sergeant can hit the soldier if he does something wrong.

In general, a sergeant has the right to yell at a recruit, insult him, but he has no right to engage in assault. But the insult should not be based on religion or gender.

Well " young fighter» in the US Army lasts 2-3 months. Sleep is given for 2-3 hours a day and regularly exhausted by continuous training.

A senior in rank can force a recruit to do push-ups, pull-ups, run in circles. There is mutual responsibility in the American army.

If you do something wrong, the whole platoon is punished. And this, of course, outrages colleagues who may show dissatisfaction with different forms. And they have a right to it.

Fights in the American army are as frequent as in Russia. But it doesn't come to torture...

In America, people are not so cruel. The Americans have an institution of military police. The very last captain of this police force is not subordinate to the general who commands the army.

The police respond to any signal from any soldier. You can also contact the doctors. The doctors will also take you where you need to go.

We would call it a denunciation. And they are okay. Unlike Russian army, where the system is designed to destroy a person completely, in the US Army tests are tempered.

If someone still decides to mock a recruit, others will not be silent. In addition, the US Army is a wild cycle.

You serve in one place for no more than 2 months. And if your relationship doesn't work out in one place, it will work out in another.

We came to the conclusion that there are fights in the American army, but there is no hazing ...

If you want to legally live and work in America, find out about getting free consultation immigration lawyer.

Article from the site http://qwester.ru

Service in the armed forces of the United States of America differs significantly from Russian realities. You can enter the service from 17 to 42 years. Moreover, since the 1970s, american soldiers serve only under contract. The term of service under the contract is 4–8 years. In addition to US citizens, holders of a residence permit (Green Card) are also eligible to serve in the US army.

A number of restrictions have been introduced for Green Card holders compared to US citizens. For example, they cannot serve in special forces, or work as a military translator. However, such military branches as infantry, naval and air force open to new Americans.

Features of the American army

Each contract soldier, upon entering the US Army, receives a bonus amount of $20,000–$30,000. Herself monthly wage private is an amount within $ 2,000 dollars. At the same time, the soldier is provided with a free hostel, as they say, with all amenities and furniture.

American soldiers also have a number of civil rights, which are fixed in legislative framework United States of America:

- “the right to be elected and to be elected” (participation in political life countries, various movements and organizations);

- freedom of the press and speech;

– the right to leave (up to 60 calendar days);

- the right to receive free housing (we already wrote about the hostel earlier);

- the right to education;

— medical insurance and control over the health of a serviceman;

- guaranteed pension;

- as well as a number of other rights and privileges.

How is the moment of "enrollment"

However, with all this, from the moment the contract is signed, the recruit is the "property" of the United States of America, and the army leadership can send him to serve anywhere the globe, including the "hot" ones.

The service process itself begins with recruitment centers (exactly the kind you are used to seeing in American films). In distribution centers, newly minted soldiers undergo professional hardening, where they are strictly educated by sergeants. Preparation lasts within 2-3 months, and this time is associated with ongoing training. Young fighters sleep an average of 2-4 hours a day.

Hazing, as such, is not observed in the American army. Everything is strictly monitored by the military police, so the sergeants are afraid to exceed their authority. However, it should be understood that there is no hazing on paper in the Russian army either. So this question cannot be fully disclosed, and each American part in this matter is individual.

Service in the American army is considered prestigious and highly paid. And although there are fewer and fewer people who want to serve in the US armed forces every year, getting into the service is difficult, and you need to meet many very high requirements. And most importantly, it should be understood that the army is hard hardship and work, so any American will think several times before deciding to join the ranks of recruits.

The US Army is fundamentally different from the armies of the CIS, service in it is not mandatory for young men, in addition, the entire grouping of US troops is recruited according to contract basis. The state is considered the largest employer providing military personnel with a good salary. But in order to get into the ranks of the armed forces, candidates must pass a series of serious tests and meet the requirements of the state.

How do they serve in the US military?

Service in the army occurs in two ways:

  1. Active duty is full-time, she looks like simple job with a certain number of working hours and free. A soldier who has served 12 months is entitled to a fourteen-day vacation.
  2. Army Reserve is a system in which the military conducts the usual civil life, working in a civilian job or studying. But once a month, he is required to undergo military exercises and participate in two-week military training once every 12 months. But everything changes for the military personnel of the Army Reserve system, when hostilities begin, they are mobilized in active army at the same time, the soldiers automatically switch to the service using the Active system

Requirements for candidates

Those wishing to enter military establishment The United States has certain requirements:

  • the presence of American citizenship or a green card;
  • age from 17 to 42 years. Moreover, if the young man is under 18 years old, then the consent of the parents is required;
  • the candidate must study in high school or on hand must be a certificate of completion;
  • the absence of any criminal record;
  • health and physical data. For rate physical training and health, the candidate is invited to take a test called the Army PhysicalFitnessTest (APFT).
  • passing the ASVAB test, it is designed to identify the level of knowledge of the candidate, his horizons. This is required to determine the type of troops in which he will serve.

Military service in the US Armed Forces in 2017-2018 will not be subject to any changes.

Contract service for foreigners

Every year there are fewer and fewer volunteers to serve in the US Army. Therefore, the government increases every year bonus payments when signing a service contract. In 2011, they amounted to 20 thousand dollars for a contract for a period of 24 months, for 4 years they have already increased to 30 thousand dollars.

Green card holders in the service have little restrictions. They cannot serve where state or military secrets are involved, that is, a green card holder cannot be a translator in the army or serve in special forces, but service in a motorized rifle department is not prohibited.

The presence of a green card makes it possible for a person to live in America all his life without taking citizenship. But if a person decides to take citizenship, he needs:

  • submit a request;
  • pass an interview;
  • take an oath of allegiance to the United States.

To obtain citizenship, a resident must live in the country for five years, but if the candidate has completed military service in the US Army, he gets the opportunity to apply for citizenship ahead of time.

Conditions in the medical service of the army

According to the laws of the United States, a soldier in military service has the opportunity to receive free medical care in any military medical hospitals. In some cases, the US Department of Defense pays for fees at paid clinics.

Military healthcare covers more than 9 million people. The Ministry of Defense spends about 4% of the military budget on medical care.

To strengthen and preserve the health of military personnel, retired military personnel and members of their families, approved and implemented regulations which provide for:

  1. Carrying out planned activities for medical examination of the above categories of citizens.
  2. For military personnel: constant monitoring of physical condition, for the implementation of the regime of the day and the regulations of the service.
  3. Organization of recreation for all categories in military boarding houses.
  4. Prevention of stress, drug and alcohol use, and tobacco smoking.

Military medicine in the United States is a system that includes maintaining the combat readiness of the army. Its functions are described in two programs:

  • military medical - DHP;
  • protection against chemical and biological weapons - CBDP.

In turn, this system is divided into three segments:

  1. Medical support program for soldiers and their families, reservists and military pensioners. Return to peaceful life after the fighting psychologically traumatized.
  2. The presence of military field medicine. It is engaged in providing the first medical care, delivery to military hospitals, preparation of the wounded with severe injuries for evacuation to the United States.
  3. Availability of biomedical protection. Provides military personnel from nuclear, biological, chemical and other types of weapons.

System medical support military is important factor, which determines the standard of living of US military personnel.

After a serious complication of Russia's relations with Western countries, Gazeta.Ru decided to talk to Russians who serve in the armed forces of the North Atlantic Alliance. To date, the two NATO states, the United States and France, have the most powerful armed forces, and there are many Russian citizens in the ranks of their armies. Some of them do not hide the fact that they fully embraced the values new country and ready to fight against their homeland.

Tell me which one Russian city you arrived and when did you enter the army of a foreign state?

Roman, US Army sergeant, instructor of machine gunners in one of the infantry brigades: I was born and raised in Krasnodar, then the family moved near Poltava. In his youth, he was engaged in boxing for a long time and, in principle, wanted to connect his life with power structures. I have been in the US Army since May 2012. Signing up here is not as easy as it might seem. To do this, you need to pass a lot of all sorts of tests - physical and psychological. Since I was a heavyweight boxer, I had to shed quite a lot, as there are weight restrictions when entering the service too.

Mikhail Osipov, Private, US Army 11th Light Infantry Brigade mass murder civilians in Songmy. - "Gazeta.Ru"): I was born in one of the cities of the central strip of Russia, I will not say more specifically, sorry. I have been in the US Army for four years.

Georgy Shulin, corporal of the French foreign legion, serves in parachute regiment: I myself am from Penza, I have been in the legion for two and a half years. Before that, I served in the Russian army.

What attracts you to the service?

Roman: In the service, the profession itself attracts, I like it. Well, benefits, of course, free medical insurance. After service, the soldier is entitled to preferential education in university. The pension of the military is stable. Pluses, in general, enough.

Mikhail Osipov: The very fact of service, as well as the opportunity to solve all material problems in this way. The only thing was that it was not easy for me to learn English with its local phraseological units. But I really wanted to start new life and I eventually learned. But I easily adapted to the American way of life.

Georgy Shulin: I wanted to see different countries world, in the course of service in the Legion, such opportunities abound. In addition, of course, a good salary. In Russia such money ordinary person it is not easy to earn from the province.

What is the average salary for US military personnel and French legionnaires?

Roman: The salary depends on the length of service, rank. If you participate in hostilities, then a serious bonus is also paid for this. The usual garrison salary for a private who has just come from training is about $670 for every 15 days. In general, in the US Army, as in all NATO armies, there is such a system as pay grade, that is, the degree of payment depending on the rank. There is an E1 category, that is, a private, this is the lowest rank and the lowest allowance. Promotion from private to specialist or corporal (E4) occurs automatically. And then you need to go through a special selection for promotion. Like an exam at a university, you have to answer questions that determine the knowledge of a person who, for example, wants to become a sergeant (the next step in the rank system). Examination Board decides whether a person is worthy of this title or not.

Mikhail Osipov: Starting from $1.2 thousand per month and up to fairly large amounts. It all depends on the length of service, rank and unit, as well as whether or not you participated in hostilities. In addition, there are quite significant tax benefits.
Summit of NATO Defense Ministers opens in Brussels

Georgy Shulin: A legionnaire, at the very least, receives €1.2 thousand, this is when serving on the continent. And this applies to infantrymen, tankers, sappers and mountain shooters. In French Guiana - at least € 1.5 thousand plus a bonus for patrols, as a result, there is no less than two thousand. In Corsica, the Parachute Regiment consistently pays two thousand. For participation in hostilities pay four thousand a month. Legionnaires also have an 80% discount on train and bus fares and can also visit French museums for free. Maybe there are some other benefits, but somehow I didn’t find out on purpose (laughs). And a legionnaire can, in a simplified manner, obtain French citizenship.

What can a soldier expect in case of injury or injury received in the performance of his duties?

Roman: First, there is an investigation. If it turns out that this is a combat wound, then the army pays for treatment, prostheses and pensions. In some cases, a serviceman's pension is the same amount as the salary he received.

Mikhail Osipov: They will pay a disability pension and provide a number of benefits.

Georgy Shulin: We must start with the fact that all the soldiers of the Legion are insured. Even in training, a foot dislocation is a hospital, and there they pay € 50 per day plus salary for a stay. A wound in battle is the granting of citizenship and €240,000. In case of death, €600,000 is paid to the next of kin. Before the mission, each time we fill out something like a will, where we indicate to whom they wanted to transfer payments in the event of our death.

How difficult is it to build relationships with colleagues? Are there cases of fights and manifestations of hazing?

Roman: Relations with colleagues are normal. Naturally, the infantry, special forces and rangers have a slightly different mentality when compared with the rest of the army. We are as far from them as, for example, the Marines are from the Navy. Of course, there are fights, because here women do not serve in the infantry, the team is absolutely male. But this is rare, and combatants never get into a showdown in uniform. All showdowns after work. There is no hazing as such. There used to be something similar when I started serving, but there was no assault - only physical exercise for the “newbies” and only if the newcomer “screwed up” somewhere. Now a law has been passed that absolutely prohibits such things, so we no longer have anything like hazing.

Mikhail Osipov: Everything, as in ordinary life: some fit, some don't. There are fights. There is no hazing.

Georgy Shulin: Relations between soldiers are built in different ways, but mostly amicably. Even if conflicts arise, everyone tries to resolve them peacefully. Hazing never happens, everyone works, and everyone does what they have to do.

Have you personally participated in the hostilities?

Roman: Yes.

Mikhail Osipov: In Iraq and visited Africa again.

Georgy Shulin: All legionnaires go through this one way or another... I was in Niger and Chad.

Both men and women serve en masse in the army of your state. Are there any novels in the service, are there families?

Roman: Of course, it happens that people who serve in the same battalion begin to meet. Sometimes they even get married. On this occasion, there is a law in the army that does not allow any relationship between officers and soldiers, as well as between private and non-commissioned officers. If a female officer does become pregnant by a "non-officer", they are required to marry within a year. The same is true of privates and sergeants.

Mikhail Osipov: Novels, like marriages, happen. Usually, the authorities separate such couples according to the place of service - so that they do not serve in the same unit.

Georgy Shulin: There are three women in our regiment, they sew up parachutes. In general, the women here are either old or scary French. I think there are no novels. I don't like such women, anyway (laughs).

Now relations between Russia and NATO countries have become seriously complicated. Are you ready for what you have to lead fighting against the Russian army, and how do you personally feel about this?

Roman: Your question about whether I will fight with my compatriots is not entirely relevant in my case, since there will be no war with Russia in the near future. Neither the US nor Russia has the financial capacity for a full-fledged war with each other. Well, in general, even if it starts, I won’t get to it, since I’m leaving the army next year.

Mikhail Osipov: Yes, I understand all this, I am ready for this and I will fight with Russia. I do not care what country to fight. I don’t have any special feelings for the Russian Federation - only disgust due to the fact that it does not care about its citizens at all.

Georgy Shulin: Officially, you can refuse to participate in the war if it goes against your country. And I would refuse, but France, I think, will not attack Russia.

How many Russians do you know who serve in the US Army or the French Legion?

Roman: I know at least twenty people in the army. They are both among soldiers and among non-commissioned officers and officers. There is also a body marines and fleet. So, I think there are quite a lot of Russians in the American armed forces.

Mikhail Osipov: I know about twenty people for sure.

Georgy Shulin: The main strike force of France is parachute regiment foreign legion. And the bulk of this regiment are Russians.

Military personnel in the United States are honored and respected, and they are also provided with multiple “military benefits”, such as free medical care, so it is not surprising that many US residents seek to join the army. Walkthrough military service can become a guarantee of not only good financial support but also obtaining certain professional skills in various fields.

To get in American army it is not easy even for the natives of the United States, what then to say about foreigners who do not have citizenship. Careful medical examination and examinations become a stumbling block even for well-prepared candidates. The most difficult exam test - for knowledge in English- Americans can not stand it, but for migrants it can become generally unbearable. In addition, the passing score for immigrants is higher than for US citizens.

Green card holders


Foreigners can get into the army if they have a green card and citizen status. By the way, green card holders can obtain American citizenship during their military service. accelerated program naturalization. The downside is that not all military specialties, of which there are about 150, are allowed to be received by foreigners; the professional spectrum for migrants is much narrower than for Americans.

To enter the US Army, you must live in the country for at least two years. After passing the medical examination, you must provide a package of the following documents:

  • Evidence that the candidate is a US resident or citizen
  • Identification
  • Insurance policy number
  • Education documents
  • Bank statements

And also some additional documents individual character(information about children, certificate of marriage or divorce, etc.).

MAVNI program

For foreign residents of the United States who do not have a green card, it is also possible to get into the army. To do this, you must legally reside in the country and have one of the following visas:

  • Student
  • working
  • U.S. Citizen Spouse Visa
  • Political refuge
  • Family reunion

The MAVNI program previously helped a migrant without a green card to get into the army. The essence of the program is that if foreign citizen has certain professional skills, then within the framework of the program he can get into the US Army and apply for citizenship. The migrant must enter the United States legally, live here for at least two years and have no criminal record.


However, MAVNI was put on hold last year as the US Department of Defense decided to take a closer look at the program at the time of presenting a "potential danger to the public." Pentagon officials fear that foreign recruits may be collaborating with foreign intelligence agencies.

On the this moment the program is frozen - military personnel who entered the army through MAVNI are undergoing checks, but new applications are not yet accepted. As military analyst General Jack Keane stated:

“IS has always had a desire to use migration to infiltrate the country. They did this in Europe because of open borders, where no one controlled mass migration. In the US, we don't have any data on militant infiltration. But if this program is compromised and such a possibility exists, a thorough investigation is necessary.”

This program began its work in 2009. During all this time, as part of the MAVNI program, about 10 thousand foreigners got into the American army.