Parent That is a non-US Citizen

[evanzmom (ship 03 div 117)]

Hello fellow moms! I am different than many of you in that I'm very HAPPY that my son is in BC :) This is the best decision he has ever made for himself and I've never seen him so lit up about anything. I just want him to feel the pride of accomplishment that I know BC, A School and the Navy will allow him.

My question: My husband is a British citizen that is a permanent resident alien here in the US. When my son signed on for DEP and did MEPS the first time, there was some question initially as to whether he would be able to have his desired career in IT because of this fact. My husband had to show his A card then and my son was told it was fine.

Evan left for BC on 2/14. We got the initial "I'm here, talk to you in 3 weeks" call that first night. Then two nights later we got a call from him saying that they needed us to fax his dad's A card and birth certificate. I asked why and he said the recruiter had that information but 'the IT Lady doesn't have it'. I didn't get to ask any questions but we are worried now that there is going to be some issue with him getting sercurity clearance for his contracted job and so won't get it. I have read on another website that immediate family must be US citizens or citizens of 'low risk countries', but can't find any list of those countries.

I had a response from a retired MC on a Navy blog that he thought our son would be fine, but I'd love to hear from someone that's had direct experience. Anyone have any advice or experience on this issue? 

[evanzmom (ship 03 div 117)]

****reading back, that looks a bit rude! I need to clarify that I realize all the moms are happy for their children - I was talking about some of the separation anxiety and tears that some moms are experiencing. I don't have any of that, just pure gratitude that he's making some good choices now :)

[Anti M]

We had a woman in our ET shop whose parents were British, then were naturalized.  She had a bit of trouble when she enlisted because she had an English birth certificate and was carried on her mother's naturalization (things were differnt then I guess).  When they upgraded her clearance, and this was a couple years in the Navy, she had to resubmit everything.  We all had Top Secret clearances or higher and they were reviewed often.  

The UK is a low risk country, but I'd suggest getting certified copies of everything for him to have safely filed away.  He'll be doing this again, I promise!

[evanzmom (ship 03 div 117)]

Thanks for the advice! My son was born in England but I was smart enough to get myself to the Embassy in London and get him a birth certificate for a US Citizen Born Abroad. So my recruit is a citizen, it's only his dad that isn't. I will keep all paperwork handy in the future.

[Jo1]

Hi evanzmom,

Congratulations to your son and family.  It's great to read that you are so happy for him!  It will make his life in the military much happier when he gets family support...:)

[evanzmom (ship 03 div 117)]

Thanks :)

[BunkerQB]

I am a naturalized US citizen (country high risk). My husband is US born. My son is a nuke officer with highest security clearance. My sister, a naturalized US citizen has worked for the Navy for 30 years. It may take a little time but it shouldn't be a problem.

[evanzmom (ship 03 div 117)]

Thanks, BunkerQB, that seems like pretty encouraging news!

 

[CaptainFatso]

I wouldn't get too excited yet. I got a similar call questioning the citizenship of my wife.... and she was born on a d@mn Navy base!

There are a few things that my daughters enlistment allowed me to re-acquainted with. Among them is the annoying Navy habit of doing the same flipping thing over and over and over.

Someone no doubt has a logical explanation for the maddening repetition, however I've spent the last 25 years in the private sector where the rules about waste are tad different... Specifically, if you're wasteful, your job goes to China. Suffice to say, any explanation offered by a knowledgeable Navy type would be met by a glazed look and blocked out of my head. The CYA mentality is at odds with my daily battle to keep the business growing and my people employed in a harsh economic environment.

[evanzmom (ship 03 div 117)]

Thanks, Captain. I keep telling myself that whatever will be will be, and I need to just let this go and have faith. Since we had this discussion the first time he went to MEPS as a DEP, I'm hoping you are right and we are just repeating the process because some paperwork didn't get sent along with my son to BC with his orders.

 

[Craig]

evanzmom - I think your son can possibly be allowed to go in as an IT.   He will need a "letter of compelling need", which basically means that the Navy can't do without him.  An example is I had an SBI access and I married a foreigner, because my job was so critical at the time, the Navy gave me a Letter of Compelling need to allow me to continue with what I was doing.  It's almost like "silver bullet" they keep in special cases.  They don't give them out easily.  To allow me to keep my clearance, I had to agree that my wife would gain her citizenship (naturalized) at the 1st opportunity.  

Why is being a British citizen are so hard?  It's because if your husband happened to be a spy, then the U.S. could not go after him as easily.  As a U.S. citizen, they have the power to bring him back (from most countries).  The reason they were easy on BunkerQB is she was naturalized.  She is subjected to U.S. rules.   The long arm of the U.S. can go out and grab her back, if needed.  Luckily, your husband is British and is from a low risk country.  Luckily for you they are asking for his Alien Registration Number and his birth certificate.  They could have easily said "No".  The investigators are doing their checks.  

Here are the rules for IT.  You will see ICD-704 posted at the very bottom.  Notice the SSBI is marked?  That is where his hold up is.   

ICD-704 Security Clearance

[evanzmom (ship 03 div 117)]

Thanks for sharing your experience, Craig. I'm pretty much resigned to the fact that I have zero control over this situation so I have to accept whatever happens. For my son's sake, and my husband's, I hope it all works out okay. My husband would be heartbroken to think he caused my son to be refused clearance for his chosen career. My husband was the biggest cheerleader encouraging him to join up in the first place. I choose to believe - it will all be okay in the end :) 

[BunkerQB]

evanzmom,

Sweetie, you better learn to relax just a bit because there's going to be heavier stuff to come later. At worst, it'll take a little longer. NO big deal really. Don't want you husband to get bend out of shape. You two have to stay strong for his bootcamp, A school, etc. etc. Of course, deployment will be tough - at least the first one.