Please note: Recruiter impropriety is a relatively rare occurrence committed by a very small number of those serving in the billet. The vast, overwhelming majority of Sailors who serve in recruiting proceed with the professionalism you should expect by members of our armed forces.

Beginning earlier this month, Navy Recruiters have been provided with “Recruit with Integrity” cards that must be provided to all applicants at their initial face to face contact.

The front of the card;

The card’s reverse;

Additionally, each Recruiter’s business card will now be required to have the following information on the reverse;

From COMNAVCRUITCOMNOTE 1133 dated Jan. 4, 2012;

Action. In order to ensure prospects, applicants, future sailors and their families understand that they will be treated with dignity and respect throughout the enlistment process, the recruiter will provide the “Recruit with Integrity” Card to prospective applicants at first contact.

The approved 2012 Military Pay Chart for basic pay, effective January 1, 2012.
The 2013 Military Pay raise estimation based on ECI - Title 37, US Code.

Last year, all the ratings were eligible for LRP at the time of one’s enlistment, but now, only the following ratings are eligible for the Navy’s Student Loan Repayment Program.

Air Traffic Controller(AC), Air Rescue Swimmer(AIRR), Cryptologic Technician(CTI-ATF and CTN-ATF), Engineering Aid(EA), Explosive Ordnance Disposal(EOD-ATF), Information System Technician(IT Surface and Submarine), Mass Communication Specialist(MC-5YO), Missile Technician(MT-ATF), Musician(MU), Navy Diver(ND-ATF), Nuclear Field(NF), Submarine Electronics & Computer Field(SECF), Special Warfare Boat Operator(SB-ATF), and Special Warfare Operator(SO-ATF).

The ratings that are currently eligible for the program are subject to change at any time.

The approved 2012 Military Pay Chart for basic pay, effective January 1, 2012.
The 2013 Military Pay raise estimation based on ECI - Title 37, US Code.

Navy Recruiting Command’s active duty accession mission for FY-2011 was 33,400.

For the first year in the history of Navy Recruiting Command while attaining it’s mission, the percentage enlisted in the upper-mental group category was an astounding 88.2% (50 to 99AFQT on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB)); furthermore, 98.7% of those accessed were of Tier I education status.

During this period of a lofty unemployment rate and floundering economy, and with the benefits a more mature, intelligent force brings, I expect the Navy to continue the enlistment policies of 2011, such as an upper-mental group attainment of at least 70%, a 95% Tier I education attainment, and the moratorium on any Major Misconduct waivers, not to mention further restrictions that may be adopted at the local Navy Recruiting District level.

Our Sailors are doing an amazing job, but those policies, and the fact that Forty three percent of the projected fiscal year 2012 active duty accession requirement has yet to be filled, mostly in the challenging to fill fields of medical, nuclear engineering, and naval special warfare and special operations, will make for a challenging recruiting environment. Our Sailors tasked with finding the “best and brightest” need your help and support.

How can you help? You can help spread the word that the Navy is hiring! If you know anyone that meets the basic requirements for enlistment, point them in the direction of the local Navy Recruiting Station.

This post focuses on the enlisted active duty mission, but rest assured that Navy Recruiting Command’s mission does not stop there. Many opportunities are available Reserve affiliation and in programs that lead to a commission in the Navy Reserve and active duty. Statistical data mentioned in this post was obtained with appreciation from Navy Recruiting Command’s Public Affairs Office.

The approved 2012 Military Pay Chart for basic pay, effective January 1, 2012.
The 2013 Military Pay raise estimation based on ECI - Title 37, US Code.

Veterans with an RE-4 discharge code, if it was received solely due to DADT, will be treated the same as any other Veteran that received an RE-1/RE-R1; unless there was any other misconduct that was a basis for the discharge, and/or if the discharge was not characterized as honorable.

No preferential treatment will be provided. That means that just like all other qualified Veterans seeking reenlistment, the only approvals to come back into the service will be given based on the service’s openings/billets for the rating/MOS and paygrade the veteran may be eligible. Currently, the Navy is having a hard time getting any prior service back in. Right now, the most commonly approved Navy ratings/programs for reenlistment are in the Navy Special Warfare and Navy Special Operations programs.

If you are a Veteran discharged with an RE-4 due to DADT who does not want to seek reenlistment, but does wish to upgrade their RE-Code, I suggest applying to the appropriate service board of corrections once the repeal goes into affect. For the Navy and Marine Corps, make application to the Board of Correction of Naval Records.

The approved 2012 Military Pay Chart for basic pay, effective January 1, 2012.
The 2013 Military Pay raise estimation based on ECI - Title 37, US Code.

I was a recruiter in New Jersey in 1986 when the REDUX plan was being implemented. Most applicants were oblivious to the change, as a matter of fact, most applicants didn’t know there was a retirement program of any sort, let along the details of it, but some did and the change mattered to them.

Recruiting in the mid-1980′s was about as tough as it could be. The parents of the applicants we sought were draft eligible during the Vietnam War – the last thing most wanted was to see their child join the military, but when the REDUX change was announced, Veterans were dragging their kids into the recruiting station to make sure they didn’t miss an opportunity to be eligible for the High Three retirement and not be forced into what was proving to be the very unpopular, REDUX. Those that did join were very likely to join anyway, they just pushed their decision up a few months to join before the deadline – if I recall correctly, I alone contracted 8 people in July 1986, a few of which because of the pending retirement changes.

Fast-forward to today. The winds of change are blowing once again, hard enough to fill the sails and potentially move the ship.

The Defense Business Board put together a task group (7 white males, wait till the diversity folks get a hold of that) to review the Defense Department’s current retirement system and to “provide recommendations that will enable the system to be fiscally sustainable and recruit and retain the highest personnel required for our nation’s defense.” The actual report is due out sometime this month, but this advanced brief was released during their public meeting on July 21st.

When I joined the Navy, it was common knowledge that if one stayed in the service for 20 years, you would get a retirement benefit of 50% of the base pay you were making during the last full month of active duty for the duration of your life, and that it also included free medical and dental care. While I was a recruiter, I informed applicants of the military’s retirement system and informed them that they would be able to use the military’s healthcare system while in retirement, there was many more military clinics and hospitals back then, or where no clinic or hospital was available, the retiree and family could use CHAMPUS (Civilian Health and Medical Program Uniformed Services). CHAMPUS has since evolved into Tricare.

Now the “free” healthcare “promise” is gone. Space available at military treatment facilities seems to be a thing of the past, and there are calls to raise the current Tricare premiums as much as 8 times the current rate. This issue is and will continue to be a battle, and a topic for another discussion.

The current law dictates that the President propose a minimum adjustment to military pay at the rate of the private sector Employment Cost Index, for 2012 it is a 1.6% raise. Military pay has seen additional increases over the first decade of the new millennium of a half percent beyond that of the current mandatory pay adjustments in order to close the pay gap between the military and the private sector pay. The gap was considered closed before the 2011 pay amount was legislated, and for the first time, at least in congress, they believe the military enjoys pay parity with civilians. The report that will be delivered by the Defense Business Board will cite a report by the RAND National Defense Research Institute that the military’s pay has actually propelled past that of civilians, ignoring a report by the Government Accounting Office that implies pay parity, and also states that establishing a system of evaluating and comparing military and civilian pay is near impossible because of transfers and salary vs overtime pay potential. I guess you pick the report that best fits your desired outcome…

According to the Congressional Research Service, “Estimated future retirement costs are arrived at by making projections based on the past rates at which active duty military personnel stayed in the service until retirement, and on assumptions regarding the overall U.S. economy, including interest rates, inflation rates, and military pay levels. Approximately 30% of military basic pay costs must be added to the DOD personnel budget each fiscal year to cover the future retirement costs of those personnel who ultimately retire from the military.” —It is the main reason any increase of base pay comes under strict scrutiny by DOD officials, and just as influential in the establishment of other pay and allowances; bonuses and allowances used to increase a members compensation without increasing the pay that will have a longer term affect on the budget of the department.

I do think the military retirement system has got to change in order for those entering the service today to receive the compensation they will richly earn, but with that said, lets get back to the report and what is fair; for the first time, a proposal is being made to change the retirement system for servicemembers while they are under contract.

-Preserve accrued benefit from “old plan” but no further accrual
-For those with less that 20 years –proportional benefit under “old plan” if they stay for 20+ years (example: 10 years of service would result in 10/20 of the old plan benefit at old vesting date or 25% of pay at retirement)
-All active duty personnel start to accrue new benefit for the balance of their service payable under new terms (age 65 nominal)

All servicemembers currently serving were told by me, and every other service recruiter in this great nation and reenforced by leadership, that they too could serve a minimum 20 year participate in DOD’s retirement system as it exists today – hell, it’s currently the law!

As I said, I think we all understand that a change in the system ultimately has to happen, we are on an unsustainable course, but if the new plan must include those currently serving, provide them with the option of selecting the new program or staying with the program they were promised. Keep the full faith and credit of the U.S. government in tact, it is a promise made and those serving this great country deserve it.

The approved 2012 Military Pay Chart for basic pay, effective January 1, 2012.
The 2013 Military Pay raise estimation based on ECI - Title 37, US Code.

Not surprisingly, the requirements for joining the Afghan military are really not all that different from that of the United States military. The Afghan National Army has a Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) where a basic literacy test is administered (we utilize the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB)). The MEPS also has doctors and a medical staff that perform physicals, provided required immunizations and even make a determination whether the recruit is actually the age his or her documents indicate. There is an oath of enlistment, but it is taken during the second week of training with their kandak (battalion).

The Afghan National Army Oath (Female Officer Example):

ANA Military Oath
In the name of God
I’m a loyal daughter to the people of Afghanistan with my admission to the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (GIRoA).

I take this oath in the name of God. I will be a well disciplined officer of this country; I win be loyal andhonest and follow all roles and regulations of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (GIRoA). I will obey orders and instructions of my superiors and commander under any circumstance and condition.

My priorities will be defending territorial integrity. national freedom. and values of Islamic revolution: I will even spill my blood in serving my country.

My violation to this oath should be strictly punished based on the legislations of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (GIRoA). May God help us to succeed.

So what are the basic enlistment requirements?

The applicant must be an Afghan citizen, 18-35 years of age, with a valid Taskira (identity document that shows birth date) and be loyal to Afghan territorial integrity, national independence, and the instructions of Islam. Additionally, the applicant must be physically and mentally healthy, with no infectious diseases or disabilities/handicaps which would prevent them from carrying out their duties. One must have a clean criminal background, and cannot already be serving in, or assigned to, any other armed force. The religious requirement aside, the Afghan and United States military enlistment requirements are fundamentally similar.

Afghan women are recruited into the army, but are limited to service in non-combat vocations such as logistical, medical and administrative.

According to ANAREC surveys, the primary reason people enlist into the Afghan National Army is for service to Allah, as indicated by every respondent. Most respondents also cite pay and or service to country with a strong desire to improve their life and the life of their family.

How is a member of the Afghan National Army compensated?

Here is the current ANA Base Pay and Incentive chart; for comparison, here is the 2011 US Military Basic Pay chart. When the pay scales are contrasted, one must take into account that, just as the countries of the United States and Afghanistan seem a world apart, the same can be said of their economies.

Due in part to the assistance of the NATO Training Mission and the United States Army recruiting personnel, the Afghan Armed Forces are developing upon a foundation which harbors an organizational structure similar to that of the United Sates Armed Forces, a military paradigm that has proven successful for generations.

The approved 2012 Military Pay Chart for basic pay, effective January 1, 2012.
The 2013 Military Pay raise estimation based on ECI - Title 37, US Code.

Tier I

In a nut shell, for a Tier I classification, a classification/credential that removes any education caps and allows for a service minimum ASVAB qualification score, you must have at least 75 percent of the credits earned towards your high school graduation requirements, per academic year, through classroom based (student-teacher environment), instructor-led learning experience. High schools, Home schools and Adult schools must be evaluated by the service’s educational specialist, and Post-Secondary credits (15 semester hours or 22 quarter hours of college credit) earned must be from an accredited degree granting institution listed in the current or applicable American Council on Education (ACE) Accredited Institutions of Post-secondary Education (AIPE) Directory. College credits earned through on-line internet courses from an accredited AIPE institution are acceptable as long as you are also attending classes via classroom instruction.

Use this link for a much more detailed explanation of Tier I credentials.

Tier II

The most common Tier II Credential is the General Education Diploma (GED) (Interestingly, it was the United States military, during World War II, that asked the American Council on Education to develop the GED as a method to measure a person’s academic ability). Many programs could ultimately be classified as either Tier I or II, such as Home School, some Public and Adult schools that do not meet the minimum requirements for Tier I; also, successful completion of programs such as the National Guard Youth Challenge and the Seaborne Challenge Corps would qualify as Tier II. Tier II education requires a minimum of a 50 ASVAB QT.

Tier III

A Tier III classification is for those not currently attending high school or alternative education programs and hold no secondary or post-secondary education credential. For the Navy, those classified as Tier III are not enlistment eligible due to a historically high first-term enlistment dropout rate.

Cyber-school students: Pentagon snubs our service, by Susanne M. Schafer of the Associated Press, details some of the issues confronting military applicants that complete an online high school diploma. The reason those cyber-school students are having an issue is because those with a non-traditional diploma cost more.

It comes down to money because its costs $45,000 to replace someone who hasn’t met their full term [and] data collected since 1988 shows only 28 percent of graduates with traditional diplomas leave military service before their first three years in uniform, while those with non-traditional backgrounds have a 39 percent attrition rate, [Pentagon spokeswoman Eileen Lainez] said.

Sometimes it may seem as if the education gurus at DoD stay about 20 years behind the real world, but where the academics one participates in is important, it isn’t the main reason the strict education requirements are in place.

Former Marine and Rep. Duncan Hunter, Jr., R-Calif., who is the only member of Congress to have served in both Iraq and Afghanistan, said it’s unbelievable that potential recruits are being turned away during wartime.

“Their level of education is often right on par with traditional public school graduates,” said Hunter.

Academically, yes, but the congressman misses the point. It is all about conforming to the norm; the time in the classroom and being able to successfully work amongst your peers.

I know in the Navy, and I am pretty confident the other services, has tried to use other measures for individuals that did not complete a Tier I education. From age to work history and various combinations of those and test scores and years of education, mad-scientist stuff, but no matter what, the results always seemed to point to the same drop rates for traditional vs non-traditional.

Should those who complete an online high school diploma be allowed Tier I status? Because a few in congress have an interest, before that question could be answered, I believe recruiting needs to run a 1-2 year pilot program, much like we did for Home School.

In a time of ever decreasing resources, ensuring those enlisted have the best chance of completing an initial enlistment is the responsible thing to do for the American tax payer.

The approved 2012 Military Pay Chart for basic pay, effective January 1, 2012.
The 2013 Military Pay raise estimation based on ECI - Title 37, US Code.

The days of the 15 year old sneaking off to join the military have long since past, and now, age restrictions are becoming more stringent. Because of the restrictions placed on minors being assigned to combatant units, those 17 years of age may enlist into the Delayed Entry Program, but may not leave for boot-camp prior to their 18th birthday, unless their 18th birthday will occur no later than 60 days from date of leaving for boot-camp. This policy change also applies to Future Sailors currently in the Delayed Entry Program as well as all new contracts written on or after today.

The Cryptologic Technician – Networks (CTN) rating entry ASVAB requirement has increased to AR+2MK+GS=235 or VE+AR+MK+MC=235 from a previous 222 total.

The previous change notice that affected the academic eligibility requirements for the Nuclear Power Program has been fully incorporated.

The Navy Challenge Programs (SEAL, SWCC, Explosive Ordnance Disposal, Diver, Aircrew Rescue Swimmer, and the Underwater Construction Team) clarified the medical disqualifying conditions and those that potentially could be waived.

Change 1 – per instructional change that occurred September 20, 2011 which states, “17 year old Future Sailors may not ship prior to their 18th birthday, unless their 18th birthday will occur no later than 60 days, vice 90, from date of shipping.” Change is now reflected throughout the Website.

The approved 2012 Military Pay Chart for basic pay, effective January 1, 2012.
The 2013 Military Pay raise estimation based on ECI - Title 37, US Code.

During the last 40 years, our recruiters have interviewed an estimated 23 million applicants and shipped over three million of them to boot-camp.

To the next 40!

Recruiting like champions for 40 years; Happy Birthday, Navy Recruiting Command!

The approved 2012 Military Pay Chart for basic pay, effective January 1, 2012.
The 2013 Military Pay raise estimation based on ECI - Title 37, US Code.

A described, some legally documented non-U.S. citizens and immigrant aliens can join the military, they may not be enlisted into any job or program that will require a security clearance, but will afforded all the same military pay, allowances and benefits of U.S. citizen serving in the same billet (rank, location, assignment, etc.). If you claim dual citizenship (U.S. citizenship and citizenship in any other country), you are eligible for enlistment, but you will not be classified into any rating/program requiring a security clearance. You may be considered for entry into ratings/programs requiring a security clearance only upon official renouncement of your non-US citizenship.

Employers can sponsor immigrants that allow them to obtain a visa to lawfully enter and work in the United States, but the U.S. Navy cannot provide such sponsorship. To be clear, Recruiters may not offer to sponsor any alien seeking admission as a lawful permanent resident by citing the Navy as the prospective employer.

Verification of Citizenship

You must demonstrate citizenship eligibility for enlistment by providing recruiters official citizenship documents. Your Recruiter must sight the original citizenship verification documents which will be photocopied, and certified as copies of the original document. The certified copies will be placed in your service record and MEPS residual file. Your original documents should be immediately returned to you.

U.S. Citizen.

Citizens of the United States include citizens of Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Northern Marianas Islands. For persons born in the geographical United States, Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, or the Northern Marianas Islands a valid birth certificate issued by a civil authority establishes U.S. citizenship.

Birth Certificates

A birth certificate must meet all of the following criteria to be considered valid:

• Full Name – First, Last, and Middle Name(s). Birth records must have your complete first and last names. Birth records without a middle name or where the middle name is represented by an initial are acceptable.
• Birth Date. All birth certificates must include the date of birth.
• Birth Place. State, County and/or City. Some birth records do not list the birthplace city or town. These records are adequate so long as they list the county, province or State of birth.
• Birth Record Validation. A birth record must bear appropriate validation markings for use as primary verification evidence. The government agency or hospital may accomplish authentication or certification with original or machine-produced signatures or raised, impressed, embossed, or multicolored seals or stamps, or a combination of these. Any one combination of these official validation methods is acceptable.

Note 1: Hospital birth certificates signed by a hospital administrator or physician and short form birth verification cards issued by vital statistics offices, with or without raised, impressed, embossed, or multicolored seals or stamps are acceptable for enlistment.
Note 2: A birth certificate where the middle name is omitted, represented by the abbreviation “NMN” or other notation to signify that no middle name exists, or is represented by initials, is acceptable for enlistment.
Note 3: Birth certificate issued with “Baby Boy” or “Baby Girl” instead of a given name is not valid for enlistment purposes.

Report of Birth Abroad of a US Citizen (FS 240) or Certification of Report of Birth Abroad (DS 1350).

If you were born of U.S. parent(s) outside the geographical United States, a valid FS 240 or DS 1350 issued by the Department of State establishes your U.S. citizenship.

Certification of Birth Abroad (FS 545).

If you were born of U.S. parent(s) outside the geographical United States, a valid FS 545 issued by a U.S. foreign service post establishes your U.S. citizenship.

U.S. Passport.

A current (unexpired) U.S. Passport issued by the Secretary of State would establish your U.S. citizenship; however, if you were born abroad of U.S. parents you will be required to provide additional birth verification documents to verify status as a U.S. citizen at your birth.

Naturalized Citizen

Naturalization Certificate (USCIS N-550/N-551/N-570) or Certificate of Citizenship (USCIS N-560/N-561).

A valid Naturalization Certificate or Certificate of Citizenship issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) establishes your enlistment eligibility as a naturalized citizen of the United States.

U.S. Passport.

A current (unexpired) U.S. Passport issued by the Secretary of State can be used to establish your eligibility as a naturalized citizen.

U.S. Non-Citizen National.

Non-citizen nationals of the United States are the inhabitants of Northern Mariana Islands, America Samoa, and Swains Island, which are outlying possessions of the United States. If you are a person who, though not a citizen of the United States, owe permanent allegiance to the United States. Although lacking certain privileges of U.S. citizenship such as voting and holding office in the U. S., you are in other respects entitled to enjoy U.S. diplomatic protection abroad and free entry into the United States under the same conditions as U.S. citizens.

Valid Birth Certificate Issued by a Civil Authority.

If you were born in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, or Swains Island, a valid birth certificate (with raised seal) issued by the government of Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa or Swains Island would establish your eligibility as a United States Non-Citizen National.

U.S. Passport.

A current (unexpired) passport issued by the U.S. Department of State. The U.S. Department of State issues U.S. passports to natives of the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa and Swains Island. The passport would establish your identity as a U.S. non-citizen national.

Canadian Born Native American Indian.

A Canadian-born North American Indian with a minimum of 50% quantum of Indian blood.

Long Form Canadian Birth Certificate with Tribal Letter Card

Tribal letter or card must be issued by a valid band, tribe or nation and must indicate a minimum of 50% quantum North American Indian blood.

Unexpired USCIS Form I-551.

A properly documented USCIS Form I-551 could be used to document your status as a Canadian Born Native American Indian.

Note: Canadian born North American Indians are not required to have a current address or home of record in the United States.

Non U.S. Citizen (Permanent Resident Alien)

Whereas a legal permanent resident alien non-citizen is eligible to join the military, you would be restricted from jobs and programs that require security clearance.

Permanent Residence Card (USCIS I-551).

Possession of an unexpired, properly documented USCIS I-551 card, issued on or after your 13th birthday would deem you citizenship eligible for enlistment. You must be accessed onto active duty (go to boot camp) or be reported as a Reserve Component gain prior to the expiration date of your USCIS I-551.

Note: If you have a valid USCIS I-551 issued prior to your 13th birthday, you may still process for DEP enlistment provided a valid USCIS G-845 (Document Verification Request) is obtained from the USCIS. But still, a new USCIS I-551 must be obtained BEFORE you can leave for boot camp.

Conditional Resident Aliens

Conditional resident aliens are identified by possessing USCIS I-551 cards that expire two years from the date of issuance. If you are in a “conditional” permanent resident alien status based upon your marriage to a United States citizen, you are eligible to DEP and leave for boot camp provided your marital status does not change prior to leaving for boot camp. If before leaving for boot camp, you become legally separated, divorced, or you are unable to locate your spouse, you would no longer enlistment eligible because you would be subject to the potential loss of legal residency status that could lead to deportation. In such cases, you may become enlistment eligible upon USCIS issuance of a standard USCIS I-551 card with an expiration date ten years from the date of issuance.

Additional Forms for Permanent Resident Aliens

Document Verification Request (USCIS G-845).

The USCIS G-845 form is used to verify an alien’s immigration status. If you have lost your Permanent Residence Card (USCIS I-551) and require a replacement card, a valid USCIS G-845 obtained from USCIS may process for DEP enlistment only. A new USCIS I-551 must be obtained BEFORE you can leave for boot camp.

Notice of Action (USCIS I-797).

The USCIS I-797 (Notice of Action) document may be used in lieu of an the USCIS G-845, for DEP purposes only, when the USCIS I-797 document indicates that the expiration date on your permanent or conditional I-551 card has been extended.

Note: Because it may take several months, even up to a year or more, for USCIS to issue you a replacement Permanent Residence Card (USCIS I-551), you may be told to wait until the new card is received or, if proof the replacement card was ordered some time ago, you may be placed into the DEP with a minimum wait time of 6 months. You can not stay in the DEP more than a total of one year to wait for the new card, and it must be received before you can leave for active duty.

Non-Immigrant Alien.

The United States government established a Compact of Free Association with the government of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, and Republic of Palau, which in part, gives their citizens the right to freely enter into the United States for work and to establish residency. Citizens of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, or the Republic of Palau are eligible to enlist. All other aliens admitted temporarily into the United States for specific purposes or periods of time as non-immigrant aliens are ineligible for enlistment.

Valid Birth Certificate

If you have a valid birth certificate, with a raised seal, issued by a civil authority of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, or Republic of Palau, you would be citizenship eligible to enlist.

Passport.

A current (unexpired) passport issued by the government of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, or Republic of Palau establishes non-immigrant alien eligibility.

The approved 2012 Military Pay Chart for basic pay, effective January 1, 2012.
The 2013 Military Pay raise estimation based on ECI - Title 37, US Code.