Dual nationality

[kimjoshua9]

Hi, I have been trying to get into the Nuke program but I'm a dual citizen. I know there are posts already but I feel
that my situation is unique. I was born and raised in America to Korean parents. At that time they were green card holders but later were both naturalized. I'm 21 years old now and just learned last year that I automatically received dual national status with South Korea since birth due to the fact that my parents were still green card holders at the time of my birth. The main problem is that I just found out last year and to my dismay they will not allow Korean males to renounce their citizenship between the ages of 18-35...I've been sending emails and visiting the Korean consulate mulitplle times but all in vain.That agency has been extremely unhelpful and even went as far as advising I should join the Korean army for two years and renounce it then. I've explained my situation with my recruiters and they are still trying to figure something out. My question is, are my chances of getting in zero? The nuclear program has been my goal for years now and I'm extremely flustered that a country I've never lived in(except for family visits) nor coherently speak the language is holding me back.

[Smart People]

I had an officer instructor in Nuke school who had dual citizenship with France.

Wat has your recruiter told you?

[kimjoshua9]

My recruiter simply said the nuc recuiting manual would not allow dual citizenship.
I'm trying to get in as enlisted. He told me he would try to call the embassy on my behalf. Other than that I have been trying to find out everything I could about getting in otherwise.

[gogamecocks]

Annyonghaseyo! ( i watch way too many Korean dramas...)
Do you speak any Korean?
I would think that might be valuable in the military. My husband is a Nuke and he has someone working for him in the Navy that is Chinese but not sure if she has dual citizenship. She doesn't even speak English all that well. You would think that it would not be an issue at all since we are friends with S.Korea and you are an American citizen. Keep after it. Maybe the recruiter doesn't know. Perhaps you could go in a different rate.

[HydroDave63]

Annyonghaseyo! ( i watch way too many Korean dramas...)
Do you speak any Korean?
I would think that might be valuable in the military. My husband is a Nuke and he has someone working for him in the Navy that is Chinese but not sure if she has dual citizenship. She doesn't even speak English all that well. You would think that it would not be an issue at all since we are friends with S.Korea and you are an American citizen. Keep after it. Maybe the recruiter doesn't know. Perhaps you could go in a different rate.

Without a security clearance, one would be looking at Culinary Specialist or Boatswain's Mate.

The OP is on the right track, and some more info on the subject can be found at

  http://usmilitary.about.com/od/theorderlyroom/l/blsecmenu.htm

Good luck!

[AbidingProduce]

Don't give up, perisistance will eventually pay off. If the recruiters don't have any luck, ask them if they can get you in touch with Navy Legal. If all else fails, there might be a way to get a waiver with a page 13 entry (where you acknowledge ths situation and any additional requirement(s) the place on you). Then again, I've known a lot of people (self included) that got put on hold after 'A' School for security clearance issues. Most of them were clerical issues from the recruiters, but I saw a few cases based on citizenship, and they all wound up working it out and continuing their training. So again, don't give up, but also start thinking of other options.

[HalfHazzard]

Needed to go back to work to help out.  From the navy security manual:

"Dual citizenship is not, in and of itself, disqualifying for eligibility purposes."  

This refers to a secret clearance, which is required for nukes, as well as to serve onboard a submarine (if that's what you're interested in).  You aren't the first, someone in the recruiting chain of command knows the answer or should be asking.

However, access to nuke information has its own code in JPAS, and I can't say for certain that you can or cannot get this.  You should still be eligible for a secret clearance.

[kimjoshua9]

Thanks everyone for the feedback. I'm still trying and waiting to get this all cleared.
If all fails I'm thinking about finishing school although the experience of Navy Nuke was very enticing.
I'm trying to get rid of my dual status nonetheless. South Korea's mandatory military obligation is an extremely sensitive issue. With the combination of bad litigation Korea's citizenship laws has screwed me over and i don't plan on getting drafted to their military.

[alex5462]

I know that dual citizenship does not automatically disqualify you from service or from the nuke program.  There was a ET on my boat who had dual citizenship with US/UK.  He had some security clearance issues but nothing major.

[kimjoshua9]

I did my research as well but my recruiter said his recruiting manual simply wont allow it. Is there anything i can do or say too change this?

[HydroDave63]

I did my research as well but my recruiter said his recruiting manual simply wont allow it. Is there anything i can do or say too change this?

Just as you would do if actually in the Navy, write a respectful, easily read and grammatically correct letter explaining your situation to the Chain of Command, which in this case is your NRD ( Naval Recruitment District ) handling your enlistment. Probably to the Command Master Chief.

http://www.navycs.com/districts.html