In December 2008, the US Department of Defense (DOD) announced the launch of a pilot program to recruit about 1,000 foreign health care workers and language and cultural specialists to serve in the US military.  The program targets those without green cards but who do have visas and work permits.  People sought for the program include doctors, nurses, other health care professionals and those proficient in certain foreign languages and associated cultures.

Past DOD programs have failed to attract enough medical practitioners, so the DOD is now focusing on attracting foreign nationals.

The goal of the pilot program is to assist the DOD in maintaining its requirement of about 24,000 doctors, dentists and nurses for military services.  According to the DOD, the military is short about 1,000 personnel in the fields of medicine, nursing and dentistry. 

The pilot program provides successful applicants with a way to accelerate naturalization.  Applicants are required to commit to specific periods of military service.

About 8,000 immigrants sign up for the US military each year, and there are currently approximately 29,000 non-citizens serving in the U.S. military.  

< Back | Index | Next > 

Disclaimer: This newsletter is provided as a public service and not intended to establish an attorney client relationship. Any reliance on information contained herein is taken at your own risk.