Sgt. Andreas Buttner (right), a 34-year-old crew chief with Co C, “Dustoff”, TF Phoenix, 10th CAB, 10th Mtn Div, TF Falcon, proudly displays his certificate of citizenship, as he stands next to his escort, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Allan Mace, also with Co. C, TF Phoenix, at Kandahar Airfield, Jan. 29. Buttner is originally from Fulda, Germany.
KANDAHAR PROVINCE – After months of research and dedication, Sgt. Andreas Buttner took the oath of citizenship, with more than 100 other service members.
Buttner began the process of obtaining his citizenship after arriving in theater the first week of Sept. “I was nervous and excited; nervous that I was missing any documents, and excited that I was on track for citizenship,” he said. “The interview took about 1-1/2 hours, and I was very nervous, because the decision for citizenship approval or disapproval is made right then and there,” said Buttner.
Prior to his interview, Buttner was required to study 100 questions for an exam that covered American history and govt. He passed with flying colors. Mace, who has known Butter for more than 4 years, said that Buttner sacrificed and invested himself in the U.S. “It's people like him who tell the world that with hard work, diligence, dedication, and love for a nation, that the U.S. continues to be a country of opportunity and compassion.”
Buttner recommends that Soldiers looking to gain US citizenship take advantage of the support the military offers. “I'm extremely proud to be a citizen, and to continue to fight alongside my fellow citizens for the stabilization of Afghanistan, and to ensure the freedom and liberty of all back home,” said Buttner. “God bless the U.S.A."
