Kenyan Immigrant Reveals Why He Left Nursing to Join the US Army

Kenyan immigrant Newton Kipchumba has joined the United States Army after leaving nursing and care work, saying he made the decision suddenly after struggling to balance work and further studies.

Kipchumba, who arrived in the US three years ago, initially worked in nursing and care roles while pursuing further education. He said the difficulty of combining his studies with a job he found unfulfilling led him to reconsider his plans.

“I woke up one day and decided to join the Army, and so I started that process,” he said.

Kipchumba said he had considered joining other branches of the US military but chose the Army because he could not swim, which ruled out the Marines in his view. The enlistment process required him to provide several documents, including his green card, Kenyan passport, US driving licence and Social Security number. 

He then underwent medical examinations and background checks as part of the recruitment process. Kipchumba said the process became less daunting once he had made a firm decision to enlist. His experience, he said, showed the importance of being clear and committed when making a major career change.

His TikTok videos in camouflage and other military gear prompted questions from viewers about how a Kenyan who had recently moved to the US had been able to join the Army. By explaining his journey, Kipchumba outlined the requirements he had met as a lawful permanent resident and described the steps he took to enlist.

His experience also reflects the varied career paths pursued by members of the Kenyan diaspora. After initially working in healthcare, he has taken a different professional direction through military service.

Kipchumba’s account comes as immigration policies and enforcement practices remain a significant issue in the US, including reports of increased efforts by agencies such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to track undocumented individuals.