<p>I'm a sophomore in high school, and I'm from China. I have two questions. I want to go to West Point after I graduate from high school. Because I'm a Chinese Citizen, so I'm going to join in the army to get my American Citizenship after I graduate. I know I can apply for West Point as soon as I get the citizenship. However, I don't know how long that I need to stay in the army after I'm accepted. I will graduate in 2016, and I'm going to join in the army after that, and get the citizenship at the same time. So, my first question is how long should I stay in the army since I'm accepted. My second question is do I have to serve in the army for five years after I graduate from West Point?</p>
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<li><p>To join the Army as an enlisted soldier, you at least have to have your green card.</p></li>
<li><p>This is the process from applying to USMA as an enlisted soldier: [Admissions</a> - FAQ_Soldiers](<a href=“http://www.usma.edu/admissions/SitePages/FAQ_Soldiers.aspx]Admissions”>http://www.usma.edu/admissions/SitePages/FAQ_Soldiers.aspx).</p></li>
<li><p>There’s no guarantee you’ll be admitted to USMA, so are you okay with serving in the Army if USMA doesn’t work out? You could always try and apply to Green to Gold (an enlisted to officer program via ROTC). There’s a chance you won’t be able to become an officer though–it’s competitive and you just never know for sure. Are you okay with that?</p></li>
<li><p>If you’re accepted to USMA, you will report to USMAPS (what most enlisted soldiers go to before USMA to brush up on their academics) or West Point that summer.</p></li>
<li><p>Yes, 5 years at least. More if you branch into a pilot or medical service AOC</p></li>
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<p>That’s some awesome ambition dude. Definitely agree with this guy^ be sure you know what you want to do if West Point doesn’t workout. Many great candidates get turned down, look at ROTC at colleges too. They pay for a lot to all of your tuition and you serve after college. After West Point you serve 5 years. I have a friend who served 2 years or so THEN went to West Point but i don’t know how long they have to be there before they can apply. Your Chinese background may help . Best of luck my friend.</p>
<p>As @CE527M said, you at least need a green card to join the Army as an enlisted soldier. And are you joining the army first or going to West Point? There is always a possibility to go to West Point as an international student and then getting a green card/citizenship to join the United States Army.</p>
<p>While some international students are permitted to attend SAs in the US, I’m not sure Chinese nationals are allowed. </p>
<p>muxuan How easy do you anticipate it will be to receive permanent resident alien status in the US? I believe there is a considerable difference between permanent resident alien status and student visas. </p>