Dental technician becomes U.S. citizen

  • Published
  • By Al Eakle
  • 74th Medical Group Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio (AFPN) --  American citizenship for many people comes with birth in this country, while others choose it later on in life. For one Airman here, the teenage dream of American citizenship started by leaving the country of his birth, was realized Sept. 16 in a federal courtroom ceremony where he took the oath of allegiance and became an American citizen.

Airman 1st Class Mohammed Al Janabi, a dental technician at the 74th Dental Squadron, first thought of coming to the United States in 1994, while still in high school in Iraq.

“Things really changed in Iraq after the (1991) Gulf War,” he said. “The government became even more controlling, and government officials became more corrupt.”

His father was a visiting professor at the University of Washington at the time, and Airman Al Janabi’s first opportunity to visit his future homeland came in October 1999 where he became a permanent resident.

“The first time I came here, I just wanted to get out of (my) country,” he said. “So I came here to visit my father.”

In February 2000, he returned to Iraq for a visit and to arrange his personal affairs.

“Once I got back I was told by government officials I would not be allowed to leave again,” Airman Al Janabi said. “They made it very tough to leave the country. You have to pay a very large sum of money plus get permission from the military to leave.”

He bribed an official, left the country for Jordon and ultimately settled in the United States in December 2002.

“After arriving here, I started taking college classes to improve my English,” he said.

A desire to make a change and defend freedom led him to an Air Force recruiter. He entered basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, in October 2003.

“I could not get a commission, even though I had a bachelor’s degree in physics, because I was not an American citizen,” Airman Al Janabi said. “Additionally, because of my citizenship at the time, I could only apply for four different jobs, one being dental technician.”

He completed technical training at Sheppard AFB, Texas, and was then assigned here where he continues his training as a dental technician.

“My life is so much better now,” he said. “The Air Force is like a treasure chest with golden opportunities. You just have to use it. I’m very proud of my service, and feel I’m doing good things for myself, my family and my new country.”

Airman Al Janabi said he has been shown a lot of respect for being from Iraq.

“America is a place where you can make a change,” he said. “It’s a big melting pot and the perfect place to do good things. I now feel freedom, because I didn’t have it back in Iraq.”

He also had high praise for the leaders within his organization.

“During the citizenship ceremony … I had to stand, give my name and say which country I was from,” Airman Al Janabi said. “When I did that, a number of people from my squadron who attended the ceremony stood and cheered.”

Although his lack of citizenship prevented him from being a commissioned officer, he said it is still something he would like to pursue.

“I … would ultimately like to work in something involving space,” Airman Al Janabi said.

His mother, whom he talks to every week by phone, is still in Iraq, and he said he is hoping she can visit him here soon.

“She tried to come in July but was denied a visa,” he said. “However, my new citizenship status should help in the process to get her here for a visit.”

Right now, Airman Al Janabi is not deployable because of his training status, but said he would eventually like to deploy.