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News from the Oklahoma National Guard

NEWS | Aug. 12, 2021

Oklahoma Guardsmen earning US citizenship

By Maj. Lee Sargent 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team

Two service members that were born in other countries work toward U.S. citizenship through their service with the Oklahoma Army National Guard.

The soldiers are Spc. Stephen Ezenwosu of Nigeria and Pfc. Isadora Desrochers of Canada. Both are medics with Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion 279th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.

Ezenwosu and Desrochers are not alone in their pursuit. According to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, since 2002 more than 139,000 U.S. service members born in other countries have become naturalized U.S. citizens through military service.

Ezenwosu first visited the U.S. in January 2017 and later decided to move to Oklahoma. He enlisted in the Oklahoma Army National Guard in October 2019.
“I wanted to contribute to society,” Ezenwosu said of his decision to join the military. Ezenwosu obtained his citizenship on April 16, 2021, and he attends the nursing program at Tulsa Community College.

“The U.S. military does ask a lot of you but also gives a lot back to you,” Ezenwosu said.

Desrochers first arrived in the U.S. on July 4, 2008, when her father took a job in Pryor, Oklahoma. At 20 years old, Desrochers said she plans to take her citizenship test within the next six months.

The opportunity of training in the medical field also played a large part in her decision to join the military.

“I have so many opportunities for medical training,” said Desrochers.

Desrochers is a student in the paramedic program at Oklahoma State University – Oklahoma City. She said her goal is to be a flight medic.

According to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service, if you are serving or have served in the U.S. armed forces and are interested in becoming a U.S. citizen, you may be eligible to apply for naturalization under special provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).
For more information about military service and citizenship, visit https://www.uscis.gov/military/naturalization-through-military-service or contact an Oklahoma National Guard recruiter.
Video by Cpl. Danielle Rayon
OKGuard hosts 2nd annual unmanned aerial systems symposium
Oklahoma National Guard
Jan. 21, 2025 | 1:23
Package w/o graphics: The Oklahoma National Guard hosted the second annual OKNG Unmanned Aerial Systems and Launched Effects Symposium at the Oklahoma State University Hamm Institute for American Energy in Oklahoma City, Jan. 21-22.

The two-day symposium, hosted in partnership with the Oklahoma State University’s Oklahoma Aerospace Institute for Research and Education and the Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics, brings experts in policy, readiness and research within the UAS industry, academia and national defense to discuss current and future requirements to fight and win in a rapidly evolving threat environment.


CG Information:

Dr. Jamey Jacob, Ph.D., P.E. (00:06-00:12)
Director, Oklahoma Aerospace Institute for Research and Education
Oklahoma State University


Lt. Col. Brent Hill (00:36-00:43)
Deputy Director, Unmanned Aerial Systems and Launched Effects Program
Oklahoma National Guard
More