Regulation

• According to DoD Instruction 1304.26, all members of the military must be either U.S. citizens or hold permanent residence status. This requirement can only be waived under extreme circumstances.
  
  

Function

• The I-766 EAD is a card issued to non-citizens who are eligible to work in the United States. It does not, however, grant them status as a citizen or a permanent resident alien. Therefore, it cannot be used to join the Army].
  
  

Types

• Although the I-766 EAD cannot be used, those who have been granted permanent residence status can join the military by using their permanent resident card, or green card. This document establishes an applicant's identity as a permanent, legal residence of the United States.