It was a special day for some Fort Hood soldiers as they become citizens of the United States of America. It was a long time coming for the 10 soldiers.
For Private First Class Asiatu Turay, moving to the United States eight years ago meant better education, more job opportunities and a chance at a different life. She moved to go to high school in the U.S. and then joined the Army.
"I'll go slow because you only become a U.S. citizen once," explained the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services representative before the ceremony on Fort Hood.
On Tuesday, in Army uniform, she joined the country.
"It felt great, I was nervous at the same time. I was just nervous, but after everything, it's very exciting," Turay said.
It is unusual in the rest of the world, but in the U.S., non-citizens can join the military.
"Many countries don't do that. You go to their country, you're not going into their Armed Forces, but that is one thing I have to say about being a soldier, sailor, airman or Marines," she said.
The 11th Theater Tactical Signal Brigade's Sergeant Major Demita Vital says the military will accept citizens of any country.
"And I will tell you that it's just an honor for them to become a U.S. citizen. And it's a lot of paperwork but I tell you what, we do all that paperwork for them with the assistance of the immigration services department," Vital said.
"I'm just glad that I have the opportunity to be part of United States and be a United States citizen," Turay said.
And it's with this citizenship, Turay will continue to fight and defend with the 13th Expeditionary Sustainment Command. Turay plans to get her nursing degree and become a doctor.
The 10 soldiers come from Burkina Faso, Togo, Ghana, Jamaica, Sierra Leone, Taiwan and the Ivory Coast.