Ladies and Gentleman, was wondering if you could help me here.
I am currently out in Iraq (at good old Shaibah Log Base) and have been thinking alot.
I have decided I want to move to America and continue my life there. I do have a few possibly complicated questions however that some of you may be able to help me with.

I would like to study at Denver University having visited there while on exchange with the US Army (134th LRS)
I believe I have the neccerary qualifications for this so that isn't a problem. Finance may be which brings me to another point below. I am not too sure of the working of the GI bill etc.

I would also been keen to take a role in the US Military, National Guard seems to be the thing to do while studying and the 5/19th SF seems to attract my attention. I have 3 years on specialist weapons and as a Physical Training Instuctor in the British Parachute Regiment and am currently on operational duty in Iraq. I also earned my US Parachute wings at Camp Guernsey (I still have the certificate). I would like to do active service after graduation.

The whole system of immigration confuses me and I am not sure of how to go about getting a green card/citizenship etc. I do have American relatives however the closest is a second cousin (of which I have a few in various states).

I am a hard working, committed, person and feel I would be a help not a hinderance to the US so any relpies would be much appricated.

Thank you all and god bless.

Plus the update

Spending my internet time out here researching and planning this great move. It looks quite difficult. Student visa should be no problem to get, its the green card that'll be an effort. May try to get to the embassy in Bagdad if I get a chance to get there on escorts.

Does anyone know if you can join the national guard on a student visa?

I am also looking into scholarships and grants but if I can get into the guard the GI bill should sort me out until active duty. Looks like i'll go for Universtiy Of Denver now.

Iraqs ok. Long hours and hot days but you can't knock being paid to sun yourself and listen to the beach boys while helicoters fly around. Awesome.

174 attacks the other day on the downside. But the casualty figures again showed that those fuckers are getting the shittier end of the stick. At the cost of some of our own coalition soldiers sadly.

Thank You all.

When Evil Strives To Overcome Good,

When Firepower is Greater Than The Spoken Word..

Then Death Rides A Winged Horse

I would look at the University of Colorado, Boulder as well.  Only about a half hour from Denver and the campus is wonderful.  Right by the casinos too.  Alot of liberals though.    Colorado State is also located in a beautiful part of the state, close to Montana.

I am working on visas and citizenship requirements for a few of my employees right now.  Here is a link that maybe helpful to you:

http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/bulletin/bulletin_2631.html

Three ways to apply for a visa:

"Hundreds of thousands of American servicemen and women are deployed across the world in the war on terror. By bringing hope to the oppressed, and delivering justice to the violent, they are making America more secure. "
George W. Bush

Here's a couple of thoughts in response:

1.  The 5/19 guys have a great website at: 

http://www.coloradoguard.com/webpages/specialforces_home.htm

You should also check out other units in Colorado by visiting this page and clicking on the links:

http://www.coloradoguard.com/webpages/unit_locations.htm

If you send them an e-mail, I suggest you DON'T use the link indicating you have prior service - That is usually restricted to personnel with service in the US military.

2.  One issue you will definitely have to face is the one of a security clearance.  Without US citizenship, it's impossible to have a Secret clearance, which means you can't join SF as an 18 series guy.  You might be able to get into a support job in the Battalion, however.  If not - You'll need to look at other options in either the Colorado National Guard, or the Army Reserve.

3.  For US Army Reserve (USAR) information, I suggest you start here:

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/army/usar.htm

As far as USAR Airborne units in Colorado, the 324th Company of the 14th Psyop Battalion is in Aurora.  More info on the Battalion is here:

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/army/14psyopbn.htm

You'll have the same issue with them on your clearance, however.

4.  Don't be surprised if the recruiters you speak with "brainlock" when you tell them you want to enlist with a student visa.

5.  You may not be able to enlist with a student visa, but if getting here and being a citizen is your goal, I suggest you get the student visa anyway - Then you can sort out how to move forward from there once you get here. 

BTW - If you want to keep it on the cheap side, you may wish to enroll at a smaller community college for the first two years, then transfer to the University.  A lot of people do that over here, because it can significantly offset the total cost of your education.

6.  Another thing you might consider is the Colorado Air National Guard. I believe you can probably become a Security Forces troop (MP) without a clearance, but I'm not 100% positive about that.  It's worth looking into, anyway...  They are kinda like the "Infantry of the Air Force," but pretty weak in some areas.  With your background and training, it would be real easy to shine.  One added benefit is that you can go to Ranger school as an AF cop.. If you go that route, you can build up some time in service until you get your citizenship (which is expedited, due to your service), then transfer to a job that requires a clearance.

7.  The Marine Forces Reserve is in Colorado, too: http://www.mfr.usmc.mil/Units/CO.html

I'll be glad to help you continue to brainstorm.  Feel free to go direct to e-mail, using the link on my user ID.

Good luck, Airborne!

A student visa I believe I could get without any real problems however what looks like my only course of action would be to try to get a green card so I could join the guard and do the basic training (anybody know how long that lasts? Can't seem to find the info) and get access to the GI Bill as without it there is no way I'll be able to afford to study.

On average, given my circumstances, does anyone know roughly how long I would have to wait to gain citizenship?

Sorry for all the questions but I do appricate it and being couped up all day in a watchtower is getting to me.

When Evil Strives To Overcome Good,

When Firepower is Greater Than The Spoken Word..

Then Death Rides A Winged Horse

When Evil Strives To Overcome Good,

When Firepower is Greater Than The Spoken Word..

Then Death Rides A Winged Horse