From Chinese citizen to Warrior of the North

Airman Robbie Day restocks the dessert fridge with fruit March 20, 2014, at the Airey Dining Facility on Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D. Day emigrated from China with his family when he was 19. He recently became a U.S. citizen and plans on becoming a registered nurse and commissioning as an Air Force medical officer. Day is a 319th Force Support Squadron food service apprentice. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Xavier Navarro)

American Airman: From Chinese Citizen to Warrior of the North

Airman Robbie Day, 319th Force Support Squadron food service apprentice, restocks the dessert fridge with fruit on March 20, 2014, at the Airey Dining Facility on Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D. Before emigrating to the U.S. and joining the Air Force, Day was a certified chef in China, and spent most of his time cooking traditional Chinese entrees. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Xavier Navarro)

American Airman: from Chinese citizen to Warrior of the North

Published April 2, 2014
By Senior Airman Xavier Navarro
319th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

GRAND FORKS AFB, N.D. -- Airman Robbie Day, 319th Force Support Squadron food service apprentice, became a United States citizen in a Fargo, N.D., federal courthouse, Nov. 22, 2013.

He and his parents are from Hefei, the capital and largest city of Anhui Province, China. They moved to the U.S. in 2011 because they wanted a better life. At the time Day was 19 years old.

"It's hard to make a living in China because it is overpopulated and it's tough to find a job," said Day. "My family waited for 12 years to be able to emigrate to America."

They first settled in Gaithersburg, Md., for more than a year. He attended Montgomery College in Rockville, Md. and wanted to pursue nursing, but only finished two classes because he joined the military.

Day said the language barrier was one of the many hurdles he overcame when his family moved to the U.S.

"English is easy to read, write and learn on paper," said Day. "But it is hard to speak and listen,".

He recognizes how different U.S. culture is from China, and said if you work for it, you get it.

"What I like the most about the U.S. is the important value this country gives to freedom and the human rights, it's fair," said Day.

Even though he is an only child, his family was very supportive about his choice to enlist in the military.

"My family and I were very emotional when the time came for me to leave for basic training," said Day. "I am proud of myself because I am able to do something that not many people get to do."

Day expressed his gratitude to the Air Force for expediting the citizenship process.

"I feel like I was reborn becoming an American citizen," said Day. "I cannot believe I got my citizenship in less than two years, but it is because I am in the military."

With his U.S. citizenship now completed, Day hopes to continue with his plans on becoming a registered nurse and commissioning back into the Air Force as an officer.

"It has been a dream of mine to become an officer," said Day. "I am not in it for the officer pay grade, but I want to help aid my brothers and sisters that have been on the battlefield."