Applications to join foreign forces (Britian and Australia)

[Pieman]

considered Air Traffic and RAF Gunner for a time but finally decided upon Gunner as I read a little more about the actual job.

Good for you! I looked into being a Gunner Officer myself as it looks like an incredible job, but believe it or not at the ripe old age of 27, I am too old.   :-\   I could be a NCM Gunner, but it would kinda be a waste of my education. Anyway, good luck to you on that.

 

[ReadyAyeReady]

Tribal Jedi,

When you say that your security clearance satisfied some of their residency and application requirements what did you mean by that?  Do you mean that you basically don't have to go through a Brit secutiy clearance?  That would definitely speed up the process I'm sure.

Hey Pieman,

I just got a huge package in the mail with all the medical forms and other application stuff.  They also sent me a form with a bunch of questions concerning my interest in the British Army and my relationship to the UK.  I'm not sure if any of you got this form as well but it basically has a bunch of questions like: Have you ever lived in the UK before?  Do you have any relatives in the UK? etc. etc.  Anyway, the first question on that form is: Why do you want to serve in the British Army? Well...I could go on for pages about that...so I'm just wondering how you handled that question...did you just write a few brief lines or did you give them the whole story...I guess I'm just wondering how important the questionnaire is.

Rob.

 

[Pieman]

Why do you want to serve in the British Army? Well...I could go on for pages about that...so I'm just wondering how you handled that question...did you just write a few brief lines or did you give them the whole story...I guess I'm just wondering how important the questionnaire is.

I filled it out so long ago...Just use the space provided. I believe i just noted that both my grandfathers and a few of my Uncles have served with the Canadian Forces and some have fought along side British forces. I also said that I was a proud commonwealth citizen, and that I believed that because we all serve under the same Queen and share the many of the same values, I did not see much difference between our two countries. I also said that I felt there were more career options and greater opportunity in the British Army. I did not mention the Canadian Army at all.

Whatever you do, always use a positive tone in these kinds of things, as a negative tone reflects badly on you. i.e. Don't say 'I am applying to the British Army, in part,  because my Canadian application has been sitting one some guy's desk collecting dust for 6 months' It may be true but they don't want to hear that.   :warstory:

In all, I don't know how much weight it carries, probably not much since it is such a small part of the application. But I don't think they want a long letter. In fact, after you pass the RCB Briefing, you have to write an essay before you go to the RCB Main Board. I am willing to bet that is the question you have to answer.

 

[hiv]

Tribal Jedi,

When you say that your security clearance satisfied some of their residency and application requirements what did you mean by that?   Do you mean that you basically don't have to go through a Brit secutiy clearance?   That would definitely speed up the process I'm sure.

I can't really get into specifics but the US and the UK among other countries share a clearance system for better interoperability. Basically the way it goes is our clearances here are valid in the UK and vice-versa. Anyway, since I'm already cleared Top Secret they don't really need to do a background check et al because it would just be redundant.

 

[NavyGrunt]

Hey guys

I've seen some former Royal Marines floating around here and I've got a question. Im not looking for anything from those of you who havent been an RM. Not a slag just Im sure I know as much as you. For the selection course what physical standard was competitive? I got my paper work and I meet the minimums but I dont want to look like an ass. Its an expensive trip to just fly over and get kicked in the ego.

Send me a PM if you would.

Cheers,
Aaron.

 

[Canuck_25]

I regret what im about to inform you guys. Please read the E-mail i recieved this morning.


Dear Robert,
I am sorry to inform you that as from tomorrow there is a change to the
Officer process. All applicants must have resided in the UK for 5 years to
be considered eligible for a Commission in the British Army. So, I am sorry
to say that if you have not lived in the UK for this stated period then you
could not be considered for Financial Sponsorship or Direct entry to the
British Army.

Your only alternative would be to do 3/4 year Degree in the UK funded by
yourself and then 6 months prior to completion of the Degree apply for a
Commission in the British Army.

I am sorry to impart this disappointing news.

Regards
L. Bradbury (Mrs)
Overseas Officer Recruiting group
02/11/04

 

[Pieman]

Greeting from London,

I made the jump across the pond thiis weekend and I am working hard to get myself set up here. It is a very difficult transiiton, leaving the country. I got myself in a hostel type of dorm and I am hunting for a flat and job. Living in dorm like conditions again is very unpleasant, and the cost of living here is pretty retarded. Everywhere, and I mean everywhere you go it it crowded and busy. I have not had time to stop for a pint of Guiness yet, but I hope to soon.

Canuck_25, I was really shocked to read that message. It looks as though I got a little lucky.  A strange move for them to do that, I wonder what the modivation was? security I can only guess, but it seems they are cutting off a valuabe source of soldiers. I will try to see if I can find some more info on that topic.

Anyway, my first two interviews are next week. I will post again after that.

 

[hiv]

Good luck!

I'm still waiting for the RAF to sort themselves out here. Hopefully all goes swimmingly.

 

[Torlyn]

Pieman,

  Nice to know you respond here...    Hope things are going well, and the interviews are (relatively) easy.  Marco sends his regards, and yelled at me for the party.  He's got your email, so he may send you something.  Cheers, and remember, ALWAYS cheer Liverpool. 

T

 

[hiv]

Liverpool?

GUNNERS!!!

 

[Big Bad John]

Re: Physical quals for the RM.

This is the toughest course outside of SBS or SAS selection in the UK Forces.  60% of all students on the All Arms Commando Course fail due to insufficient physical prep.  Train hard and long for the course
John

 

[winchable]

Good on ya Pieman,
Welcome to my home (away from home though I'm not calling it home right now)
It's crowded, smelly and rude! Though you'll find the women are fit, the tube is the fastest way to get around if you don't mind the idea of Romanian street gangs watching you for any signs of wealth and of course the bar is always open.
Tell me, have you taken up smoking yet? Don't worry, you will ;D
Londons great though not my favorite city. When you do start looking for a place to establish yourself I reccomend Birmingham, it's like London..without all the English. ;D
My reccomendation is go to Piccadily circus and stand there for a few hours and you'll be caught up to speed with the rest of the city.
Bath, Southampton, Portsmouth (though you're going army so you might not enjoy that) Brighton (see what the gay prince built himself)
Don't get stuck in London, it's really not what England is about I find.
Get yourself a train pass of sorts and see the rest of the country.
Do all the tourist stuff, whatever you do DO NOT waste a day on the millenium Eye.
Take up Cricket, it's actually the friggin sweetest game if you get into it. How many sports can you sit there with a beer and a cigarette all day and still call it a sport?

Once you find a job though you'll find the prices aren't as bad, though you'll never find a cheap house or apartment.
Don't ask for Guiness if you want to fit in either. Always get bitter, never a lager.

 

[Pieman]

Hey Che, I am way the heck up in Cricklewood. The tube in London is really awesome but expensive. It is fast, but I have discovered that you can spend half the day walking in tunnels....I decided to go with bus after this, it is cheaper and you get to see the sky once in a while.

Playing cricket sounds good, I will try it out I think. I gave up smoking over two years ago so I am not about to start again!

Don't ask for Guinness if you want to fit in either.

Take my Guinness from me? Not from my cold dead hands!!!   :blotto:

I agree that London is not the best place, I am going to do my best to see the rest of the country, and I have been applying to jobs in other cities.

To   update my situation I had my first Army interview today. It was with a civilian clerk and it was fairly straight forward. We walked through my application and talked about my education and CV. She asked me lots of standard questions about what I thought an Officer in the Army did, why I wanted to be one, etc. She asked why I wanted to join the British army instead of the Canadian. We then spent the rest of the time talking about the rest of the selection process.

I asked her if she really felt my age was going to be an issue, and the short answer to that is yes. I am 27 and she felt that this could be a fairly major issue in my application. She said that when an applicant is 20 years old, they are looking for potential. i.e. can they mold this person physically, and mentally into the type of person they want. However, at 27 there is less time for this and they will be watching me a lot closer in the selection process. They want a product that has most of the skills they want already developed.

She went on to show me some selection results from a person who had applied at the age of 28. This person scored well on the aptitude and physical tests. They said he showed a little trouble with agility climbing ropes, but was otherwise in good shape. When it came to the leadership exercises he did well, but in one of the exerciese is turned a little bit passive, and was not in total control of the exercise. For that reason, they did not choose him saying that because of his age, his leadership skills would probably not improve.

This news has me very worried now. I have only one shot at this, if I do not make it through all these selection processes this time around, i will be too old to try again. This does not mean I don't have a chance, but it appears that because of my age, the odds are stacked against me. I really have to market myself to these people in a smart way. I am not going to be the strongest or fittest person there, and I will probably be the oldest. The major card I have is my education, which is probably going to be a lot higher than anyone there. So, I will have to play that up a lot and convince them it is an advantage to take me.

The situation kind of reminds me of what Gimli said in the Lord of the Rings:
'Certainty of death. Small chance of success......What are we waiting for? '

 

[Canuck_25]

Thats to bad, well i guess you couldnt apply again anyway, because you wouldnt be eligible. I spoke to CF officer recruiters yesterday, started to make me think of other options.

 

[enfield]

Hey, Pieman, any word on why they shut down recruiting Commonwealth citizens?

 

[Pieman]

Hey, Pieman, any word on why they shut down recruiting Commonwealth citizens?

I asked about that in my initial interview. She said that the order came down through the system, but the funny thing about it is that the 5 year residence policy was in effect for many years now, they just never enforced it. So she says it is really going to be a wait and see matter as it is not clear if the higher-ups want the policy enforced rigidly or not. So if you are thinking about trying to join, give it some time before you give up.

The second phase of my application is getting a regiment to sponsor me. I have begun visits to different regiments I am interested in. Yesterday I went to the 2 Para company in Colchester for a tour and interview. It was a great experience for me because I got to step on a actual British base for the first time. I walked up to the gate and was greeted by two Para guards both holding SA80 rifles (It is SA80? i forget the exact name) A bit of a shock for me because all of a sudden what i was doing became very real. I told them why i was there and they directed me through the compound where I met up with a Major. What a great man, very friendly and open. I was there with three other officer applicants, all of them British, and all of them about 20 years old. We sat through a small lecture and watched some videos. The best part of the day came next where we got to go to the Officers mess for lunch.

These guys have it all, they have a nice lunch room and sitting room with servants bringing their food and drink to them and taking it away. Oddly enough all the servants are tall blond 20 year old girls...in fact almost all the suppport staff seem to be young beautiful girls. Anyway, I had a great conversation with several of the Para men there, they seemed to be surprised I came all the way from Canada to join the Brits, but some said it was fairly common. After lunch we went for tea and talked some more. It was a very comfortable atmosphere, and you could tell these men were tight knit and almost like family. It looks like a fantastic place to work.

After lunch, I had my interview with the Major. The first thing that happened was he looked down at my file, and then he looked up and said 'So....You're 27 years old?'

I have to say my heart sank a little bit because this age issue is proving to be a bigger stumbling block than I would have guessed. He went on to say 'You're age is an issue, this is a young man's game...It is human nature for us to pick the younger man because that is what we want...but your education is profound and your work experience is terrific. So that has the effect of balancing things out.' So I got a spark of hope when he said that.

The conversation continued and he asked me what other regiments i have been to. I told him this was the first one of many that I will visit. He then said that he felt that I would be much better suited in a specialist role simply because there should be a place where   I could uutilizedmy skills. He said that I was like a peg with a shape and I simply have to find the right slot. But no one can tell me what that slot is, I have to decide that and go for it myself.   A young man is like a piece of clay, they can take them and mold them into the shape they want.

In all, he said that after I visited all the different regiments, and if I came back to him and said 'Para or nothing! This is what I want to be' then he would put me through the selection process. But, unless I showed that determination, he felt there is somthing out ther better suited for me. So he is not saying no, but that I should make a very careful choice.

At this point, I think he is right. I feel that there should be something out there that simply screams to be 'This is your job!' but despite all the research I put into understanding the army I am not sure what that is. I love the idea of being a Para of course, but I suspect there is something out there a little better suited to me.  

 

[Canuck_25]

Wow, that post was really terrific. its to bad that they do not make commonwealth applicants eligible anymore. what i plan to do now, is in my second year of uni, do a University transfer. This way i can go to a British UNI, and join the TA while im there. Im hoping that if they see that im in the TA, they might turn a blind eye at the citizenship.

 

[Pieman]

Wow, that post was really terrific. its to bad that they do not make commonwealth applicants eligible anymore. what i plan to do now, is in my second year of uni, do a University transfer. This way i can go to a British UNI, and join the TA while I'm there. I'm hoping that if they see that I'm in the TA, they might turn a blind eye at the citizenship

That is not a bad idea Canuck_25, but if I were you, I would consider joining the Canadian reserves while I was in university. Why not start that process now? If your trying to come to the Brit Army because you think it is 'better' you are coming for the wrong reasons. It is not why I am over here, I have a multitude of other reasons.

If you do decide to do a university transfer and join the Brit TA, then you will already have some military experience under your belt. In other words you will be a much better candidate by the time you go for officer selection.

One of the other applicants I was with at the Paras was a TA soldier, he had served in Iraq for a short while and was fully trained. He made a very very strong candidate, and if you get that kind of experience under your belt, you will be too.

 

[Canuck_25]

That is not a bad idea Canuck_25, but if I were you, I would consider joining the Canadian reserves while I was in university. Why not start that process now? If your trying to come to the Brit Army because you think it is 'better' you are coming for the wrong reasons. It is not why I am over here, I have a multitude of other reasons.

If you do decide to do a university transfer and join the Brit TA, then you will already have some military experience under your belt. In other words you will be a much better candidate by the time you go for officer selection.

One of the other applicants I was with at the Paras was a TA soldier, he had served in Iraq for a short while and was fully trained. He made a very very strong candidate, and if you get that kind of experience under your belt, you will be too.

I do not want to join the British Army simply because its "better".
I am not ruling out the CF after i spoke with the recruiters, RMC really impressed me. The British army recieved more money than the CF, is far more appreciated by its people and its officer selection proccess is far different. One Person, at my high school went to RMC simply because it was free. He said he didnt care much for the military, he just wanted a good education, which he thought the RMC could well offer. Now, if the CF has officers who simply want a free education, that dosnt impress me. The British army accepts mostly those who have a BS or BA, so no free education.

I hope you are selected though, best of luck.

Robert

 

[enfield]

I wouldn't sell the CF so short Canuck_25. I too am interested in the oppurtunities available in the British Army, but I've done some time in the Canadian Reserves, worked with Cdn Reg Force, Brits, and a few others, and I think its dangerous to place the Brits on a pedestal and assume the CF is in the gutter, especially with no prior military experience.

Yes, many (most?) RMC cadets are there for the free education. Many (most?) of them will end up in non-combat positions, and if we need to bribe highly qualified people to serve, so what, as long as they do the job. I would say no one, anywhere, goes professional infantry just for the money or benefits. The US military, all branches, all trades, have troops and officers mostly there just for the benefits. If they do their job well, who cares why they're there?
I'm sure the Brits are full of similar candidates. Many Brit soldiers are there because they have few or no other options in their lives. Some would be there for the money, and I suspect they do have some sort of education/benefits reward scheme. You state they mostly recruit officers with degrees, but a fair percentage of their officers have no tertiary education. The Brits do get more money, but they have a retention problem just like the CF, only recently have their small arms reached a standard equivalent to the CF, and there are other issues and problems that are common to all militaries.

Don't stereotype all soldiers and officers and their motivations with one brush. Try out the CF, the Reserves are a fairly easy option and a good eye-opener.