US-Thai dual citizenship: US and Thai military

[Emyay]

I'm Thai-American, 16 years old. I'm planning to finish college (4-6 years) and join the US military (probably airforce). As a Thai citizen, I accept the inevitability of the draft. I'd rather just volunteer and do the 6 months of service instead of the 2. I'm planning to go into the US military after college and then volunteer into the Thai military. How should I go about this? After 26, I think I'd be exempt from the military draft but I'd also be breaking the law. Could I possibly volunteer in the Thai military after I finish college, and then serve in the US military? How would that be received by the US?

 

[chickenslegs]

 

 

Some helpful advice here ... http://www.thaicitizenship.com/thai-military-service/

 

If your ambition is to join the US military, maybe you should also contact your nearest US military recruitment centre and ask about whether you are eligible to join the US military after serving as a conscript or volunteer in a foreign country (Thailand).

 

If you have any future ambitions to go into politics in Thailand you need to be aware that restrictions are applied to people who did not join the draft lottery.

 

Good luck to you.

 

 

Edited January 3, 2019 by chickenslegs

[Damrongsak]

Do a Google search for "dual citizenship in u.s. military" or similar.  I understand officers must be U.S. citizens only (would require renouncing Thai citizenship).  You may be OK either way as long as you are not an officer.  And some jobs may not be available due to security.

 

Here's a bit:  https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/travel-legal-considerations/Advice-about-Possible-Loss-of-US-Nationality-Dual-Nationality/Loss-US-Nationality-and-Foreign-Military-Service.html

 

https://www.quora.com/Can-dual-citizens-be-commissioned-officers-in-the-U-S-military

 

[Damrongsak]

Emyay, I suppose it all depends on your ultimate goals.  It would be great to get skills and training on both sides, but then there's the issue of trust, loyalty and intent.  It probably doesn't matter much if you are merely cannon fodder on either side, as they all need fall guys.  Do be wise and careful.  And don't believe everything recruiters tell you.  Be your own man and check things out.   

 

My older son joined the U.S.  Marine Reserves before he went to college.  Got called up two years after and was killed in Iraq months later.  PM me if you like.

[flewis25200]

My suggestion is to stick with one country.  I have seen people get into trouble for having multiple citizenships.  I refer you to the oath for naturalization that a person takes to become a citizen.  This will give you an idea of US' thinking on this matter.  It is not worth trying your luck - all it takes a head strong officer to put you through the ringer and do not rely on the recruiter's statements.  Here is the oath:

 

"I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty, of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by the law; and that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God."

[TonyClifton]

8 minutes ago, flewis25200 said:

I refer you to the oath for naturalization that a person takes to become a citizen.

My son had a very difficult time reciting the oath, as he was three.  Three as in months, not years.  

[TonyClifton]

Quote

 In adjudicating loss of nationality cases, the Department has established an administrative presumption that a person serving in the armed forces of a foreign state not engaged in hostilities against the United States does not have the intention to relinquish nationality.  One who voluntarily serves as a commissioned or non-commissioned officer in the military of a country not engaged in hostilities with the United States will lose one’s U.S. citizenship only if one intended to relinquish U.S. citizenship when he/she  served in the armed forces of a foreign state.   

This quote from the Department of State explains it all.

[flewis25200]

The issue is not the loss of citizenship but the fact that you have to prove that you did not intend to relinquish your US citizenship.  Having had to defend it on behalf of my clients, I can assure you that it is costly, arduous, and time consuming.