MILITARY

The United States military has had a lasting legacy on American Sāmoa since the Navy administered it in the beginning of the twentieth century. 

For the past several decades, American Sāmoa has consistently placed at the top of the list for the highest recruitment rate per capita in all of the United States and its territories. 

American Samoans can enlist in any of the branches of the uniformed services; however, they cannot become officers unless they become United States citizens. All residents in American Sāmoa, unless at least one of their parents were citizens before they were born, are born as non-citizen "nationals." This odd status is uniquely given to American Samoans and has been a contentious issue for a while.