Donald Monica administers the Oath of Allegiance to five basic trainees Aug. 25, 2011, at Lackland Air Foce Base, texas. The trainees (from left to right) Jared Garcia, from the Philippines; Ariful Haque, Bangladesh; Louise Quinsay, Philippines; Kurt Danggoec, Philippines; and Daniela Negrete, Mexico, are the first Airmen to become U.S. citizens while attending Air Force Basic Military Training. Monica is the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services associate director. (U.S. Air Force photo/Alan Boedeker)
Daniela Negrete hugs her 4-year-old son, Seth, soon after becoming a naturalized U.S. citizen during the Airman's coin ceremony Aug. 25, 2011, at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. Negrete, originally from Mexico and a resident of Oxnard, Calif., and four other basic trainees are the first Airmen to become naturalized U.S. citizens while attending Air Force Basic Military Training. (U.S. Air Force photo/Alan Boedeker)
by Mike Joseph
502nd Air Base Wing OL-A Public Affairs
9/9/2011 - LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFNS) -- Five trainees became U.S. citizens during a naturalization ceremony Aug. 25 here, making them the first to earn their citizenship during basic military training.
A cooperative agreement between the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and the Army, Navy, and now the Air Force, created a faster track for services' trainees who seek citizenship. The initiative provides naturalized service members with additional opportunities to serve in areas that maximize their value to the military and the nation. Since September 2001, more than 72,000 members of the military have become U.S. citizens during USCIS naturalization ceremonies in the U.S. and abroad.
"This initiative is just one example of our strong commitment to the men and women who serve in our armed forces," said Don Monica, the USCIS associate director. "Additional training opportunities would not have been available to them had they remained foreign nationals in the U.S. military."
Prior to the Aug. 25 Airman's Coin ceremony, when trainees make the transition to Airmen, the five trainees accepted the oath of allegiance during a special naturalization ceremony administered by Monica. They were the first members of the Air Force to use the USCIS' basic training initiative.
"This is a wonderful opportunity for America's best and brightest young men and women not only to become Airmen, but also to become United States citizens at the same time," said Col. Eric Axelbank, the 37th Training Wing commander.
"Awarding the Airman's Coin signifies that we recognize the trainees' commitment to Air Force core values and we now refer to them as Airmen," Axelbank said. "What an inspiring moment to also witness our newest Airmen becoming American citizens in front of their friends and families."
A 2002 executive order states persons serving honorably in active-duty status are eligible to apply for naturalization and if qualified, be granted immediate citizenship.
"Serving in the Air Force requires all Airmen to make sacrifices," said Lt. Col. Glenn Palmer, the 737th Training Group commander. "An Airman's commitment to our core values of service, excellence and integrity are not based on place of birth, but upon selfless acts," demonstrated by when they chose to serve our great nation.
"It seems right that those Airmen wanting to join our Air Force and wanting to become a U.S. citizen can do both at the same time."
Louise Quinsay, 19, who is originally from the Philipines and a resident of Oakland, Calif., took his citizenship oath in front of about 3,000 people, including more than 500 of his fellow trainees.
"I think it is great opportunity to make my mother proud," Quinsay said. "It opens up a lot of doors to job opportunities, and it gives me the freedom to represent this country not only as a citizen but as a warrior Airman."
In addition to Quinsay, the other trainees becoming U.S. citizens were Daniela Negrete, of Mexico and Oxnard, Calif resident.; Kurt Danggoec, of the Philippines and Inglewood, Calif., resident; Jared Garcia, of the Philippines and Pomona, Calif., resident ; and Ariful Haque, of Bangladesh and Flushing, N.Y., earned their U.S. citizenship.
(The 37th Training Wing Public Affairs Office contributed to this story.)
Comments
9/13/2011 6:19:04 PM ET So it makes me happy the fact that they earned they're citizenship through basic military training.Now I'm wondering if anyone who has recently graduated Basic Training can get their citizenship with the Basic Training Certificate. I graduated Basic Training on April 15 2011. Is there something I can do
Alejandro, California
9/12/2011 5:45:12 PM ET As an Air Force veteran I want to say Congratulations and welcome to all five of the young people who have become citizens and to become members of the finest branch of the military that ever was. Stay Safe and Best Wishes to all of you as you make your careers.
Jonathan Howard, Ridgely TN
9/12/2011 11:52:17 AM ET Great. Five natural born citizens that got denied enlistment.
