United States, CFAY welcome newest U.S. citizens with naturalization ceremony
By MCSN Paul Kelly, Navy Public Affairs Support Element Japan


Thirty-two Sailors and citizens from 17 countries take the Oath of Allegiance during a naturalization ceremony at the Community Readiness Center on Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka April 25.

Thirty-two Sailors and citizens from 17 countries took the oath of citizenship in the Community Readiness Center onboard Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka April 25.

The Sailors are part of the Military Accessions Vital to the National Interest (MAVNI) program ordered by the Secretary of Defense (SECDEF) in 2009 which allows legal non-permanent residents (LNPR) to join the United Sates Navy and become American citizens.
“When I get out of the Navy I plan on doing a lot of volunteer work in third-world countries,” said Machinist Mate Fireman Jody Singh, originally from Trinidad. “I wouldn’t be able to have that opportunity if I hadn’t become a U.S. citizen.”

Gaining citizenship in the United States normally takes four or five years, but through the MAVNI program, it takes less than a year.
The U.S. Army pioneered the program for naturalization of LNPRs in 2008, and the Navy joined the initiative soon after in 2009.

“This ceremony is very important because it gives the Sailors recognition for their service.” said Personnel Specialist 2nd class Trung Vo. “They are always working to support the nation, but now it is more important to them because it is their nation.”

The mission of the MAVNI program is to find and recruit foreign individuals with certain linguistic or healthcare qualifications that will enhance the Navy’s effectiveness in various regions around the globe. In return, the naturalization process is accelerated for these Sailors.
“I didn’t join just for citizenship in the United States.” said Singh, who moved to the United States in 1996 at 7 years old with her brother and sister. “I want to be better than I was yesterday, and I want to do something to help people.”

Each year the U.S. accepts immigrants from countries all over the world. The three main countries of immigration are currently Mexico, India, and the Philippines. In 2008, a record 1,046,539 people were naturalized as U.S. citizens.

Near the end of the ceremony, all of the candidates were asked to stand and raise their right hand to take the Oath of Allegiance.

After administering the oath, Robert L. Daum, the Deputy District Director of USCIS Bangkok, Thailand turned to those gathered for the ceremony and said, “Please join me in welcoming the newest citizens of the United States.”