Jobs for Non-Citizens in the Marine Corps

If you or someone you know want to join the United States Marine Corps but have not yet completed the citizenship process, you can join as long as you meet the proper criteria and don't mind a job that doesn't require a security clearance.

If you're considering joining, it helps to know what you can do and what you need to help you make the transition from civilian to citizen and veteran.

Legislation for Non-Citizens Joining the Military

Special provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) state: 

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) may expedite the application and naturalization process for current members of the U.S. armed forces and recently discharged service members. 

Recently, President George H.W. Bush and his son President George W. Bush signed executive orders which allowed any military member (Active Duty, Reserves, or National Guard) to apply for citizenship without any residency requirement.

These orders also covered veterans of specific designated past wars and conflicts. This can save the military member five years on the civilian application process for citizenship.

How Joining the USMC Works for Immigrants

You must have applied for and been given a Permanent Resident Card by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services ( USCIS). It used to be green (thus the nickname 'green card') but now looks more like a driver's license. The card is issued by the Citizenship and Immigration Services of the Department of Homeland Security and contains a photo and fingerprint. 

The Department of Defense, and in this case, the Marine Corps, by law, cannot assist with immigration. Someone that wants to join must legally immigrate first and then apply to join the U.S. Marine Corps. Once an immigrant joins the U.S. Military, standard residency requirements are waived, and they can apply to become a United States Citizen after three years of active duty.

You have to be a U.S. Citizen to become a commissioned officer and to re-enlist in the military.

Military Occupational Specialties for Non-Citizens

The following MOS's are the jobs that non-citizens are allowed to have in the Marine Corps. These do not require a high-security clearance—only citizens are allowed to be given secret or higher security clearances:

• 0121- Personnel Clerk
• 0151- Administrative Clerk
• 0311- Rifleman
• 0313- LAV Crewman
• 0331- Machine Gunner
• 0341- Mortarman
• 0351- Assaultman
• 0352- Antitank Assault Guided Missileman
• 0411- Maintenance Management Specialist
• 0811- Field Artillery Cannoneer
• 1141- Electrician
• 1142- Electrical Equipment Repair Specialist
• 1161- Refrigeration Mechanic
• 1171- Hygiene Equipment Operator
• 1181- Fabric Repair Specialist
• 1316- Metal Worker
• 1341- Engineer Equipment Mechanic
• 1345- Engineer Equipment Operator
• 1361- Engineer Assistant
• 1371- Combat Engineer
• 1391- Bulk Fuel Specialist
• 1812- M1A1 Tank Crewman
• 1833- Assault Amphibious Vehicle (AAV) Crewman
• 2111- Small Arms Repairer/Technician
• 2131- Towed Artillery Systems Technician
• 2141- Assault Amphibious Vehicle (AAV) Repairer/Technician
• 2146- Main Battle Tank (MBT) Repairer/Technician
• 2147- Light Armored Vehicle (LAV) Repairer/Technician
• 2161- Machinist
• 3043- Supply Administration and Operations Clerk
• 3051- Warehouse Clerk
• 3052- Packaging Specialist
• 3112- Traffic Management Specialist
• 3361- Subsistence Supply Clerk
• 3381- Food Service Specialist
• 3432- Finance Technician
• 3521- Organizational Automotive Mechanic
• 3531- Motor Vehicle Operator
• 3533- Logistics Vehicle System Operator
• 4341- Combat Corespondent
• 4421- Legal Services Specialist
• 4612- Combat Lithographer
• 5526 to 5566- Musician
• 5831- Correctional Specialist
• 6048- Flight Equipment Technician
• 6061- Aircraft Intermediate Level Hydraulic/Pneumatic Mechanic-Trainee
• 6071- Aircraft Maintenance Support Equipment (SE) Mechanic-Trainee
• 6072- Aircraft Maintenance Support Equipment Hydraulic/ Pneumatic Structures Mechanic
• 6073- Aircraft Maintenance Support Equipment Electrician/ Refrigeration Mechanic
• 6074- Cryogenics Equipment Operator
• 6091- Aircraft Intermediate Level Structures Mechanic- Trainee
• 6092- Aircraft Intermediate Level Structures Mechanic
• 6111- Helicopter/Tiltrotor Mechanic-Trainee
• 6112- Helicopter Mechanic - CH-46
• 6113- Helicopter Mechanic - CH-53
• 6114- Helicopter Mechanic - UN/AH-1
• 6116- Tiltrotor Mechanic - MV-22
• 6122- Helicopter Power Plants Mechanic - T-58
• 6123- Helicopter Power Plants Mechanic - T-64
• 6124- Helicopter Power Plants Mechanic - T-400/T-700
• 6132- Helicopter/Tiltrotor Dynamic Components Mechanic
• 6151- Helicopter/Tiltrotor Airframe Mechanic-Trainee
• 6152- Helicopter Airframe Mechanic - CH-46
• 6153- Helicopter Airframe Mechanic - CH-53
• 6154- Helicopter Airframe Mechanic - UN/AH-1
• 6156- Tiltrotor Airframe Mechanic - MV-22
• 6211- Fixed-wing Aircraft Mechanic-Trainee
• 6212- Fixed-Wing Aircraft Mechanic - AV-8/TAV-8
• 6213- Fixed-Wing Aircraft Mechanic - EA-6
• 6214- Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Mechanic
• 6216- Fixed-Wing Aircraft Mechanic - KC-130
• 6217- Fixed-Wing Aircraft Mechanic - F/A-18
• 6222- Fixed-Wing Aircraft Power Plants Mechanic - F-402
• 6223- Fixed-Wing Aircraft Power Plants Mechanic - J-52
• 6226- Fixed-Wing Aircraft Power Plants Mechanic - T-56
• 6227- Fixed-wing Aircraft Power Plants Mechanic - F-404
• 6251- Fixed-Wing Aircraft Airframe Mechanic-Trainee
• 6252- Fixed-Wing Aircraft Airframe Mechanic - AV-8/TAV-8
• 6253- Fixed-Wing Aircraft Airframe Mechanic - EA-6
• 6256- Fixed-Wing Aircraft Airframe Mechanic - KC-130
• 6257- Fixed-Wing Aircraft Airframe Mechanic - F/A-18
• 6281- Fixed-Wing Aircraft Safety Equipment Mechanic- Trainee
• 6282- Fixed-Wing Aircraft Safety Equipment Mechanic - AV-8/TAV-8
• 6283- Fixed-Wing Aircraft Safety Equipment Mechanic - EA-6
• 6286- Fixed-Wing Aircraft Safety Equipment Mechanic - KC-130
• 6287- Fixed-Wing Aircraft Safety Equipment Mechanic - F/A-18
• 6511- Aviation Ordnance Trainee
• 6531- Aircraft Ordnance Technician
• 6541- Aviation Ordnance Systems Technician
• 6672- Aviation Supply Clerk
• 6673- Automated Information Systems (AIS) Computer Operator
• 7011- Expeditionary Airfield Systems Technician
• 7051- Aircraft Firefighting and Rescue Specialist
• 7314- Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Air Vehicle Operator