Press Releases

Today, U.S. Representative Mike Coffman (CO-6) introduced the Military Enlistment Opportunity Act of 2015.
 
“As someone who enlisted in the Army at the age of seventeen and later served in combat as a US Marine, I know there is no greater honor and no better way to demonstrate your commitment to the United States than serving in our nation’s military,” Coffman said.
 
“It is time we allow those young men and women brought to the United States as children by their parents the same opportunity I had to demonstrate that loyalty and commitment through military service.  These young men and women were raised and educated in this country, and they are ready willing and able to serve and defend the United States. Let them serve the country they love and call home. ”
 
Coffman’s legislation extends eligibility for military service from U.S. Citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR) to include individuals who meet all other requirements for enlistment, do not have any record of unlawful activities since their arrival in the U.S., and have received background checks and work authorization from the Department of Homeland Security.
 
“This bill provides a common sense solution to help solve two nationally important issues,” continued Coffman. “First, the bill provides a new group of willing, capable, and skilled applicants to serve in the military and our military needs the ability to recruit the best people it can.  Second, it creates an opportunity for individuals who already consider the U.S their country and who have a conditional immigration status the opportunity become U.S. citizens through military service.”
 
The bill is co-sponsored by Representatives Peter King (R-NY), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and Juan Vargas (D-CA).
 
Coffman Has a combined 21 years of military service and is the only member of Congress to have served in both Iraq Wars. He currently serves on the Armed Services Committee and Veteran’s Affairs Committee, where he is the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.