The "Wanting To Join Another Military" Thread- Them To Us- Us To Them

[pjocsak]

There was an interesting article in last week's The Economist current affairs magazine. It highlighted the British Army's recruiting campaign in Commonwealth countries and the success that it's had in addressing the manpower shortage in the Army. I don't know all of the specifics about the program, but I gather that by enlisting in the British Forces you can gain citizenship. Assuming that you serve out the required terms of service of course. I know that the American military has a similar program in place. I was wondering what other forum members thought of this, and could it represent a possible solution to at least one of our current problems?

The article noted there has been little concern about the loyalty of the non-British soldiers. The British Army has a long tradition of actively recruiting within the Commonwealth. Note the close to 3500 Nepalese in the Gurkhas. The only problems are with regard to different socialisation. Fijian troops have a tendancy to beat their wives, and Jamaicans tend to resort to knives to solve problems far to frequently. This has lead to a few incarcerations. On the whole, though, most of the Commonwealth recruits have been well received in their new units after a short adjustment period. On top of that, many have chosen to make the army a career. With the pay and benefits, it represents a level of stability that new arrivals to a country might not enjoy otherwise.

In the case of Canada, I'm sure we would have little trouble finding young men and women from Commonwealth countries who would be willing to serve out 5 or 7 years in the CF in order to become citizens. There's tonnes of people lining up for a chance to come here. Why don't we take advantage of this possibly immense labour pool and offer them another avenue to gain citizenship. La Francophonie countries could also be used to recruit French speaking soldiers to keep the bilingual balance in the forces. I'm pretty sure that we would have lots of takers. I for one think it is an option that we should explore.

Patrick

 

[QORvanweert]

I think that is a great idea, and would most likely work. However, we do not have the training infrastructure to assimilate hordes of new recruit into the CF. never the less, I cast my vote in favour...

 

[George Wallace]

I read this with interest and then you had to bring up the 'Bilingualism' issue.  That may be the downfall of your whole idea.  We should not be recruiting Anglophone and Francophone foreigners from other nations to fill our shortfalls for the sole reason of the language they speak.  Bilingualism is a major stumbling block here.

I can see the historical significance and logic of allowing members of Commonwealth countries to have free access to joining the CF, but I do not see any historical precedence of allowing members of the Francophonie to join the CF.  They are not members of the Commonwealth and have no true ties to Canada historically.  As Chinese is now more prevalent in Canada than French, your logic would mean that we should allow people fluent in Chinese from other nations better access to joining the CF.

I think that it is a fairly good idea to open the gates to Commonwealth nations.  Bilingualism policies are in place, and these folk will have to follow them as do all anglophones in the CF if they want to advance.  Francophone recruiting will not follow the same precedence and more or less be restricted to persons who have already made the decision to emigrate to Canada as is the policy of today for all CF members, no matter what language they speak.  I am now talking about the various immigrants from Eastern Europe, Asia, Middle East, etc., who are now calling Canada home.

GW

 

[pjocsak]

George Wallace,
Your point on bilingualism is well taken. I hadn't thought about it from that perspective.

 

[humint]

The new policy is that only CDN Citizens can apply to the CF, and this applies to both the RegF and ResF. This came out post-Sept 11.

The only loophole is if you are applying for a special trade (i.e. one that is having trouble recruiting new members due to level of qualifications), such as dentist or medical doctor. In this instance, you need to be a permanent resident.

See the CFRC for more info, or go to the CF recruiting website at www.dnd.ca

 

[Marius]

Hello,

I am new here. I am new in Canada too, I have been here 9 months. I am not Canadian citizen but I am landed immigrant. I know that the requirement is to be Canadian citizen, but on the recruiting website it says: "you may be eligible if you are landed immigrant". Does anybody know if I could be eligible ? I don't want to wait 3 years to get citizenship, I am already kind of  "old" (33). But I really want to join.

Thank You

 

[SEB123]

I think the exception is for officers, like dentist or a doctor , a job that they really need already qualified people.

 

[Tracker]

You might be considered for enrollment if you where a doctor and licensed to practice medicine in Canada, if you where an F18 Hornet pilot, that sort of thing.

 

[oittoi]

Hello.  I'm a foreigner who is planning to apply for permanent residenceship this year.  At the same time, I am now planning to go to Toronto to enroll in Graduate school.  After getting my permanent residenceship, I would love to sign up for reserve three years from now.  I am now 30 years old.
I have read that it is harder for permanent residents to join Canadian reserve nowadays.  Would there be any way I be eligible to join at that point as a permanent resident? And would I be too old to join at age 33-34? 

 

[Britney Spears]

And would I be too old to join at age 33-34?

No, you'll probably do better than the 17yr old snotnoses who will be training beside you.

I have read that it is harder for permanent residents to join Canadian reserve nowadays.

The recruiting process, even for citizens of foreign birth, is a jumble of arcane forms, security checks, and many people give up because it takes too long.  If you have your heart set on it, and your schedules are flexible (good for you),  start drawing pentagrams and sacrificing goats, because there seems no rhyme or reason to the proccess.

 

[Roger]

I am not sure but I think you also had to reside in Canada for at least 5 years

 

[Eowyn]

Would there be any way I be eligible to join at that point as a permanent resident? And would I be too old to join at age 33-34?  

No, you can't enroll in the Reserves as a permanent resident.   You must be a Canadian citizen.   You would not be too old at 33-34.   I have seen 40 year olds, enroll.

This has been discussed in this topic.

http://army.ca/forums/threads/23328.0.html

 

[RyanNS]

I thought ??? I may have read somthing on here before (although I can't find it now by searching) that it was possible for Canadian military members to transfer to foreign militaries (Other Commonwealth countries, Australia, U.K.). Was I just dreaming this or is this possible? Sorry if this was covered before and I missed it.

 

[ReadyAyeReady]

RyanNS,  Check out this thread...it was started by Pieman and it tells of his experience in applying for the Brits.  It might be of some help...I'm in the app process with them right now as well...still waiting to hear back from them...

http://army.ca/forums/threads/16844.0.html

Cheers.

 

[RyanNS]

Thanks. Alot of good info there, but I was wondering if it was possible to transfer after you had already been in the Canadian military. Not just apply to a foreign military as a straight up civilian.

 

[1feral1]

Yes its possible, but its not a transfer, you must show proof of discharge, then when you sign up, its classsed as a re-enlistment. Its not as easy as it sounds, and I speak only for Australia, especially in the post 9-11 world. Try www.defencejobs.gov.au and have a look around. It took me almost a year, so plan way ahead. That was in March of 1994, and I have been here over 10 years (10 yrs, 8hrs and 31 minutes to be exact).

Five visits back to Canada in that time (1 in 1997 [holiday], 1 in 1999 [mother's illness], 2 in 2000 [mother's illness and funeral], and 1 in 2004 [holiday]), and as wierd as it sounds, Canada soon becomes a memory, and in many ways a stranger. Different news, different sports (no hockey, no CFL no lacross, no baseball. Its Cricket, AFL or Aussie Rules), and different cars. You really get to know who your real friends are too, and even after 10 yrs, I have friends here sure, but NOT like the friends back in dear ole Canada.

People move on, fewer and fewer letters, less contact, etc. However some things remain constant about Canada, such things as our flag, the smell of a winter's morning, the migrating sound of Canada Geese, Houston's Pizza [on Hill Ave, Regina], Robin's Donuts, those vast wheatfields of Saskatchewan, the fishing and hunting, and the skyline of your home town. I guess I am just being sentimental a bit today, as it was 10 yrs ago today I arrived at Kingsford-Smith, Sydney.

Depending on the season I come back to, I can hardly wait to see these familiar things. I just hate good-byes too, preferring to catch a cab from 'the house' not even looking back. I lick my wounds (brief spells of occasional homesickness once back in 'Terra Australis' - yes still) on my own time, and after a while I am fine. Although I am proud to be an Australian, I will never in a 1000 lifetimes forget where I come from.

So, its no big   'fantasy', its bitter reality, but one reaps what he sews, and for me things are great. Call it luck, perseverance, and plain bullheadedness. For me the good times out balances the bad.

I'll also say its not' romantic', or 'cool', as when you leave Canada to live in another country, it aint no holiday, or no picnic, and you are a long way from home. You must be prepared to leave for life, never to come back and live, at least for 5 years anyway. Once you are established here, some things get easier.

Taking up the responsibilites of becoming a second citizen, and putting Canada in the back seat is not easy, as from when you come here you start over (you have the chance to re-establish your life, like a second chance, sort of), and have to prove yourself time and time again.

Although I would not change anything if I had to do it again, the novelity wear's off pretty quick when you are faced with challenges both here and back home ( illnesses, deaths,etc - plus those good times too, Christmas's, birthdays and special family occasions, all missed. Been there and done it, and it aint easy). Otherwords its more than a 3 hr flight home. Here its 17 time zones, reversed seasons, different culture, different weather, different driving, different language and slang, different beer, different women, yes everything different, but its not all bad. A Canadian accent is always the flavour of the month here. Plus the fact of learning a whole new way of doing things Army wise.

Those wishing to accomplish to do what I have, I suggest you take a long hard look at the entire picture, as once committed, there is NO turning back.

One becomes stronger, more independant, more resiliant, in short better. Yes, and if there is any more growing up, its done pretty bloody fast.

Good luck in whatever you follow.


Cold beers,

Wes

 

[RyanNS]

Thanks for the info Wesley. This is just one of the many options I am weighing in my head now and it will be a few years before I make any major decisions like living in a foreign country permantley. I have lived in forrign countries before, but never for more than a year at a time. If its alright with you I may send you a PM some time with some questions? Thanks. Ryan

 

[Pieman]

This is just one of the many options I am weighing in my head now and it will be a few years before I make any major decisions like living in a foreign country permanently.

Hi RyanNS,

For the UK Army, you have to keep in mind the age limit for NCM is 27 years 11 months. Do you have a millitary background already? If not, you will be too old by the time you do your time in the CF.

While in the CF, I believe it is possible to go on soldier exchanges with other armies. Something to look into.

Pieman

 

[RyanNS]

No military background yet unfortunatley. Hopefully thats not the same for the Aussie forces, as they are the only one I would really consider going too. If i join the Canadian forces it will be as on officer, I don't know if that makes a difference.

 

[Major Pom]

Hi Ryan, do you know anything about commonwealth troops (say UK for example) leaving their Army to transfer into the CF? I've got 20years Engineering under my belt and am considering moving to Canada, a change of uniform would make the move a little easier. Harvey