Add this to your reasons for obtaining citizenship

[N2RJ]

So as you may or may not know, I'm one of them furriners, also known as legal immigrant another country.

People from other countries often don't apply for citizenship, because they don't see any additional benefit of becoming one, and they want to retain the citizenship in their home countries.

But as a ham radio operator I have a big reason for becoming one - being able to use my FCC license in a CEPT or IARP country.

As it is right now, I have to use my 9Y license if I want recip. privileges in another country, because I am not (yet) a citizen of the US. And because Trinidad and Tobago has no CEPT agreement in force, I have to apply for a reciprocal license in CEPT countries. LAME!

So who says becoming a US citizen has no benefits?

I mean, apart from being able to vote and in general feeling more integrated into the US, you also get to finally use your FCC license overseas.

And if ever the Trinidad and Tobago Government becomes unreasonable in issuing amateur licenses (like they are now, charging TT$100 annually to renew), I can just not renew and still be able to operate overseas.

[WB2WIK]

As a citizen you also get the wonderful privilege of being called for Juror Service (jury duty) and seeing how our court system works -- or not. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

In some cases, being a citizen can help land you a job working in an environment that requires security clearance not offered to aliens, including documented legal ones.

[kc7mrq]

Quote[/b] ]In some cases, being a citizen can help land you a job working in an environment that requires security clearance not offered to aliens, including documented legal ones.

Caveat being you do not hold due citizenship.

[N2RJ]

Quote[/b] (WB2WIK @ Nov. 17 2006,13:39)]As a citizen you also get the wonderful privilege of being called for Juror Service (jury duty) and seeing how our court system works -- or not. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

In some cases, being a citizen can help land you a job working in an environment that requires security clearance not offered to aliens, including documented legal ones.
Yep, that's the other big reason (security clearance).

As for jury service - let's just say I am glad to not be living in NYC anymore.

http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[wv6z]

As you are a young lad Ryan, this may not mean much to you, but, if you were an OF like me and were aware of what might happen to your estate upon your death if you are not a citizen, then you would know why some of the rest of us became citizens. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif

[cu2jt]

The thought has struck my mind. Have to wait another 8 years before even applying.

But I really don't see the reason. I still have my old Swedish license and it is valid until the year 2031 and by that time I won't have any nose. Since 4 years, the Swedish licenses are free of charge. The matter of heritage is tricky, though. It turned out that our will was not valid in Portugal so we had make arrangements to have it our way. If we had been Portuguese citizens, that would have been impossible.

The only lag is that I have to remember to use the /SM7BGK callsign...

[G0GQK]

And what's even better you can drink Beck's beer and eat Momma's apple pie !

G0GQK http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif