WASHINGTON - Struggling to overcome recruiting shortfalls, the Army and Air Force have bolstered their marketing to entice legal residents to enlist, putting out pamphlets, working social media and broadening their outreach, particularly in inner cities.
One key element is the use of recruiters with similar backgrounds to the potential recruits.
"It is one thing to hear about the military from locals here, but it is something else when it's from your fellow brother, from the country you're from," said new Army Reservist Spudes Bidari, who comes from Nepal.
The military has had success recruiting legal immigrants, especially among those seeking jobs, education benefits and training as well as a quick route to citizenship. But they also require additional security screening; help filling out forms, particularly those who are less proficient in English.
Both the Army and the Air Force say they will not meet their recruiting goals this year, neither is the Navy. Pulling from the legal immigrant population may not provide big numbers, but any boosts will help. The Marines are the only service on pace to meet its goal.
The biggest challenges have been identifying geographic pockets of immigrant populations, finding ways to reach them (and help them) navigate the complex military recruiting applications and procedures.
Last October, the Army reestablished a program for legal permanent residents to apply for accelerated naturalization once they get to basic training. The AF began this year.
The first group of 14 graduated from basic training and were sworn in as new citizens in April. They included recruits from Cameroon, Jamaica, Kenya, the Philippines, Russia and South Africa.
As of mid-May there were about 100 in basic training who had begun the citizenship process and about 40 who had completed it.
By the time AF recruits finish their seven weeks of basic training, the process is completed, and they are sworn in as American citizens. (The AP 06/09/23) Join the military, become a US citizen: Uncle Sam wants you and vous and tu | Stars and Stripes
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