There is not a lot of pomp and circumstance to the ceremony. There's no fireworks, no computer-programmed slide show and no medals.
There is the signing of a few documents, the repeating of an oath and, hopefully, if there's a crowd, some applause and a wild case of euphoria.
But, the repercussions of what just happened lasts a lifetime.
Thirteen basic trainees from C Battery, 1st Battalion, 19th Field Artillery became U.S. citizens July 1 at the end of a basic training family day event in Fort Sill's Sheridan Road Theater. July 2, they graduated basic training, became U.S. Soldiers and headed off to Advanced Individual Training.
The baker's dozen represented countries including Trinidad, the Philippines, Togo, China and Turkey.
The Immigration and Naturalization officer represented their last hurdle to becoming U.S. citizens. The INS officer told them not to lose their certificate, they may need it from time to time. He had them sign several pieces of paper and explained what would happen during the oath of citizenship.
One of the last things he had the Soldiers do was hand over their green cards.
"I had to pay an attorney about $5,000 to legally get that green card," said Pfc. Alejandro Casraneda, from Mexico. "But, I guess it's a nice tradeoff. I'm becoming a citizen so I no longer need it."
As the Soldiers stood in front of some of their families, most of their battle buddies were just happy to make it through basic training, but these 13 were swelling with the super-sized pride of becoming a Soldier and a U.S. citizen.
"I believe both are equally important," said Pfc. Tete Eteybenissan, from Togo, West Africa. "When I came to this country, I was able to accomplish things I couldn't back home. I got to buy my first house when I was 21 years-old and I started working. I joined the Army for personal discipline and money for school."
Since coming to the United States, Eteybenissan has also gotten married.
The group of new citizens is made up of eight active-duty Soldiers, four reservists and a guardsman from across the country. Like thousands of other Soldiers, some in the group joined for the money, for the education benefits or to travel. Some joined to serve a country for which they were willing to cut ties with their homeland so they could become a citizen.
"I love this country and I would do anything for this country," Casraneda said. "I want to defend this country and I want to go to medical school."
Casraneda, a Reservist, is taking a year off from undergraduate school to go through basic training and Advanced Individual Training before heading back to the college campus.
"The Army gives a lot of good opportunities to a motivated individual to become anything you want to be and this country gives anyone the opportunity to do that," he said.
Coming from Mexico, Casraneda has been keeping abreast of the controversy over immigration laws and issues affecting the United States. He said he can see both sides of the issue.
"I know that immigrants want to come here and have a better life for themselves and their families and this is the land of opportunity," he said. "But, I know this country is ruled by the Constitution and the rule of law, so there's that side of the coin too. Illegal immigration can cause a lot of issues, as well. There's no problem with immigration, but they have to do it legally."
With the final words of the oath of citizenship, "...I take this obligation freely without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion, so help me God," the families, friends and battle buddies erupted in applause that changed to a standing ovation.
And, with a handshake from Capt. Ahmad Perry, C Battery commander, the ceremony was over and 13 new citizens walked off the stage ready to start their new life as American Soldiers.
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