| Ever heard of MAVNI? No! Let me tell you what it is | | | | depending on the outcome of the study it could be |
| all about. In November 2008, a memorandum was | | | | discontinued or rolled out. For the United States |
| signed by the U.S Secretary of Defense, Robert | | | | Army it is expected to provide about 14,000 recruits |
| Gates, giving authority to all army secretaries, The | | | | every year. |
| Air force, the Army and the Navy to implement a | | | | Requirements for applying for the MAVNI program |
| new non-citizen recruitment pilot program for the | | | | include:- |
| United States Armed Forces. This program is to allow | | | | - Applicant must be legally present in the US |
| non citizens of the US already in the United States | | | | - Applicant must be able to provide legal documents |
| legally to join the military and apply immediately for, | | | | such as passport, employment authorization |
| and get US citizenship within 6 months. The program | | | | document etc proving legal presence in the United |
| is called the, "Military Accessions Vital to the National | | | | States |
| Interest" MAVNI for short. | | | | - Must be able to speak one of 35 languages |
| The idea was initiated in 2002 after the invasion of | | | | - Students on visas can also apply |
| Iraq and the military was having a bit of a problem | | | | The army will assist the new recruit in his or her |
| recruiting new cadets. So to incentivize the process | | | | application, and if any family members are involved, |
| they applied this unique opportunity to recruit non us | | | | such as spouses and children, the military will provide |
| citizens. The program is a one year pilot study | | | | the necessary guidance also wave the application fee |
| expected to end by December 2009. Then | | | | of $625. |