5 basic trainees become US citizens

  • Published
  • By Mike Joseph
  • 502nd Air Base Wing OL-A Public Affairs
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.)