I am André. I was born and raised in the Netherlands, Europe. At the age of 31 now, it is time for me to settle and start a future somewhere. Tho I am less and less confident in the European structure, I grow more and more confident in the U.S. structure.

I have considered moving to the States for a few years now, ever since I met my girlfriend who is originally from Texas. Now that I am still young enough to make such move and still be able to build a decent future there, it is now or never. My girlfriend and soon to be wife lives here in Holland for three years now and lives together with me. We both have been thinking of leaving Europe to (re)build our future in the States after all.

For her, it is no problem moving (back) as she is still an American. For me, regardless if I marry her, it takes up to FIVE YEARS, maybe longer, to get the U.S. Citizenship. Meanwhile forced to live with the limitations that come with a green card. And honestly, with the economical world crisis going on now, it would be a bad move.

Right now, I work for the Dutch police, and have been serving public trust. protecting the innocent and upholding the law for seven years now. There is a chance for me to work for Houston Police Dept. due to my history as an officer, but the one thing that I don't have is they require me to be a full U.S. citizen according to the law of TCLEOSE.

Again, it can take years to get the green card turned into a U.S. citizenship, even if I marry an American. It came to my ears that the U.S. is recruiting foreigners for the army, and grant them U.S. Citizenship after a tour of duty within a few years only. I over thought it all and it will be the best for me in everything. This will be the fastest way to reduce my green card status to only a couple of years, plus it leaves me to continue doing what I have been doing my entire life. Serve the people, the government and protect the nation I vow to live in/for. I stumbled upon this site and was reading it, but still have no idea honestly on how to make the move. Can anyone give me advice on this one?

André

Andreejut, you are writing in an Army forum designed for prospective soldiers to get professional answers from people who have gone through all that stuff before. But what you display here is a general story about life. We all have similar stories. What is your specific question? Do you want to immigrate and become a soldier, or worker, or get married, see what it is like in the US?

Andreejut, at your current age i think you might be a little old for them to look at you and then the extra years for all your immigration stuff tocome in could make it even more unlikely that you would be able to join, im not a hundred percent sure but close.

I know what it is like in the US, Mastertanker. That is why I want to go there.

The story about my life is meant to introduce me to this forum as I dig around for info. To give a bit of background on me where I am from and what my intentions are.

On your questions, yes to all. I want to immigrate to America and become a soldier for two reasons. One is to defend my (new) home country in any way nessisary, and do what I do best, as I have been working for government or the nation before my entire life. In this case my land of origin, Holland.
The second one is honestly yes, to speed up the process of becoming U.S. citizen.
Not the money, glory or anything else.
I do want to get married regardless and when service is done, I might do Houston Police, but that is the next step in the future.

Skellieman, I am sure America recruits older people age 31. Okay, I do have to keep up with the younger puppies, but hey.....I am a cop and not one that devours donuts alone . It is skill that matters.

Andre, OK I take the time to give you the straight poop. Please read my words carefully: You need to go to the US Consulate nearest you and apply for an immigration visa. This is not necessary if you are legally married to a US citizen (unfortunately, I say). If you pass the tests and enter the US you go to a recruiter of your choice and apply with all your COMPLETE ducuments (Visa, Green card, Passport, School reports, training certificates etc.). The recruiter will make some tests and have you wait for the results of your background investigation which will be done without you knowing anything about it. It will take some months. When that is done, the recruiter will invite you for the tests to enter the Army, Navy, USAF, Marines, Coast Guard, whatever you decided. If you pass those tests (physical, psychological etc.) you are in. Then you will be shipped off to Basic training. I guess the rest you know. You can't become an OFficer unless you are a US citizen, have graduated from West Point, Officer Candidate School, ROTC (this an Officer training program on Campus in many US Universities & Colleges and is unknown in Holland and takes 4 years)), AND have at least a Bachelor degree from a reputable US College or University. Your dutch stuff doesn't count except perhaps for some College credits. So forget Officer. Something else, when you are a soldier the needs of the service come first, not your personal desires. You can be shipped anywhere and you are subject to orders. To make that clear: If someone tells you something, you do it, just like in the dutch Army, no difference. Also, you can, as a benefit, apply for US citizenship earlier while in uniform and get it. Good luck.

Thanks Mastertanker, for this information. I really appreciate it and it will serve me very well indeed. I am honored to get straight and honest info from a retired major.

One sometimes knows how the thread goes, but not where it starts or ends. Now that I have an idea where the thread starts I can start unraveling it.