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American flags rest as the centerpiece during a naturalization ceremony Aug. 17, 2016, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. Kadena has a strong commitment to helping non-citizen Department of Defense members and their families achieve U.S. citizenship. Since Oct. 1, 2001, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has naturalized 109,321 members of the military, with 11,069 of those service members becoming citizens during USCIS naturalization ceremonies in 34 foreign countries. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Stephen G. Eigel)

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U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Martin Alonso Balcazar swears the oath of allegiance during a U.S. Naturalization Ceremony Aug. 17, 2016, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. Kadena hosted it's first-ever naturalization ceremony with five military members and 10 dependents earning their citizenship. Since the beginning of fiscal year 2009, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has presented 106 children of members of the military with citizenship certificates during ceremonies in Italy, Germany, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Stephen G. Eigel)

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Col. Christopher Amrhein, 18th Wing vice commander, speaks to the new U.S. citizens about the impact they will have on their great country during a U.S. Naturalization Ceremony Aug. 17, 2016, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. This ceremony recognized the members as full-fledged U.S. citizens. Under special provisions in Section 329 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, the President signed an executive order July 3, 2002, authorizing all non-citizens who have served honorably in the U.S. armed forces on or after Sept. 11, 2001, to immediately file for citizenship. This order also covers veterans of certain designated past wars and conflicts. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Stephen G. Eigel)

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Five military members and nine dependents take a group photo with Col. Christopher Amrhein, 18th Wing vice commander, during a naturalization ceremony Aug. 17, 2016, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. Special provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act authorize U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to expedite the application and naturalization process for current members of the U.S. armed forces and recently discharged service members. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Stephen G. Eigel)

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Becoming a citizen

Published Aug. 18, 2016
By Senior Airman Stephen G. Eigel
18th Wing Public Affairs

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- American flags rest as the centerpiece during a naturalization ceremony Aug. 17, 2016, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. Kadena has a strong commitment to helping non-citizen Department of Defense members and their families achieve U.S. citizenship. Since Oct. 1, 2001, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has naturalized 109,321 members of the military, with 11,069 of those service members becoming citizens during USCIS naturalization ceremonies in 34 foreign countries. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Stephen G. Eigel)

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