TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. -- A group of 14 Reserve Marines from 2nd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment set out from desert camps and forward operating bases at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center here on the morning of Aug. 18 for the base staff judge advocate’s office to take an oral exam administered by agents from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service.
The Marines were natives of countries throughout the world and spoke many different languages in addition to English, but their goal was the same - pass the test and become naturalized U.S. citizens.
Despite the fact that they had been training hard in the desert heat, day and night, for more than three months to prepare for their upcoming deployment to Iraq, they still found time to study the information they’d been provided for the naturalizatoin exam.
“This says a lot for their character,” said Lt. Col. Geoff Rollins, the 2/25 battalion commander. “These guys came here to America, and they haven’t asked for anything. Instead, they volunteered to serve in the Marine Corps. This is a great country, and they’ve followed all the rules and gone through the process. I’m very proud of them in that they’ve not only worked hard all summer to prepare for deployment, but they’ve constructively used the little time they had off to study.”
The questions required the candidates to learn basic information about the U.S. Constitution, how the three branches of U.S. government work together, the way in which elections are conducted, the length of terms of public office and key leaders in U.S. history, such as George Washington, Abraham Lincoln and Patrick Henry. .
Normally, immigrants to the U.S. must wait a period of five years before they are eligible to apply for naturalization and take the exam. For those who serve honorably on active duty in the U.S. military, however, they are eligible to apply within a year under provisions in Section 329 of the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act. This also applies to military reservists when they are mobilized on active duty orders.
Pursuant to Executive Order 13269 of July 2002, however, all personnel on active duty can now file immediately for citizenship.
The USCIS Pacific Northwest regional media manager, the USCIS has arranged for exams and naturalization ceremonies for more than 40,000 members of the U.S. armed forces since the beginning of the Global War on Terror, according to Sharon Rummery.
“I’m nervous and excited at the same time,” said Pfc. Miguel E. Portillo Melendez, a battalion warehouse supply clerk. “It’s a very good opportunity to become somebody important in this country”
Melendez moved to Belport, N.Y., from El Salvador in July 2006 and within a year was at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C. He plans to begin working on his bachelor’s degree when he returns from deployment and hopes to one day become a high school math teacher.
Before an audience which included key battalion and company staff, as well as federal officials from California and some family members, the Reserve Marines, along with 10 other active duty service members from the base, took their oath of allegiance at a ceremony conducted at the base officers’ club.
After the formal part of the ceremony had ended and the MCAGCC Band played “Anchors Away” and “The Marine Hymn,” the new U.S. citizen-warriors signed their certificates of naturalization.
The Marines of 2/25 had a short celebration and photo session, then headed back out to the field to continue with their training.
“My unit has been very flexible to enable me to get this done,” said Cpl. Taj A. Green, an automotive mechanic with Headquarters and Service Company, 2/25. “I joined the reserves because I wanted to serve, but I wanted to live my life and have a civilian career as a law enforcement officer as well. Being a Reserve Marine has enabled me to do that. The Marine Corps said they were looking for a few good men, and I believe I’m one of them. It’s a sacrifice all of us make for our friends and family back home.”