Gaining Citizenship, Soldier Completes Journey From Ukraine

Alla Tarbox always wanted to be a soldier. But in Lugansk, Ukraine, that thought would forever remain a fantasy, as Ukrainian women are barred from military duty.
"I had to wait for the right time and the right country,” said Tarbox, a specialist in the Oklahoma National Guard. "I wanted to be surrounded by people who believe in the same values and live according to the same principles.”And for Tarbox, the U.S. became that place of hope.Tarbox, 28, received her citizenship documents Thursday in front of about 30 military personnel and civilians at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services office after three years of work with the National Guard."We had talked about this for a long time,” Chief Warrant Officer Dan Kendrick said. "I was really proud of her. Everything she did her entire adult life had been focused for this point. She was probably about to explode.”How it all beganTraveling to the U.S. just before her 25th birthday, Tarbox ventured across the country visiting friends she met as an American Peace Corps volunteer. When she arrived in Oklahoma, she felt attached."I settled down and decided this would be my state,” Tarbox said.And Kendrick said Tarbox has been dedicated to her work ever since.Because of her ability to assimilate into the culture and show her intelligence and kind demeanor, Tarbox was given responsibility as a property book technician — taking care of $400 million worth of equipment, doing inventory and cataloging."It’s because of her attitude and intelligence,” Kendrick said. "She’s the super person.”Tarbox said her citizenship creates an open road ahead, as she’s ready to begin officer school and hopes to gain clearance to someday work for the U.S. Secret Service. As a citizen, Tarbox could sponsor relatives — her parents and two stepbrothers live in Ukraine — to immigrate to the U.S. if they choose.Maj. Lindy White, a South Korean native who gained U.S. citizenship in 1988, said she asked Tarbox before the ceremony if she had family members in the country."She said she didn’t, but she does,” White said. "She had a great showing of the National Guard family being here. We’re her family.”Tarbox said she’s excited to potentially deploy overseas — no matter where the destination."I’m fully ready,” Tarbox said. "I’m stationed here since I’m in the Guard but I’d go anywhere our mission brings us.”