Joining UK Armed Forces

[readyfourzero]

er-I don't know what is it?

 

[mdh]

The CF retirement policy is 55 years old with the possibility of extension to 60.  (As an aside, in terms of recruitment, you can join most branches aged 17 to 52  - and that includes the combat arms).  Age restrictions are applied to aircrew which I believe is 46 for pilot/navigator.

cheers, mdh

 

[nate]

I too am thinking of joining the British Army, more opportunity than in Canada, and you're still serving under Elizabeth II.  I was talking online with a CSgt. in England a couple of weeks ago and he said NCO combat arms recruitment process for overseas applicants can take 6-8 months, you live there for a couple months while you apply are tested.  He did not say you have to live in the UK for 2 years to be able to serve, is that really true?

I am going to college in the fall for police foundations, and the CSgt. told me to finish, then apply.  I am going to do this, so it will be a long 2 years.

cheers,

nate

 

[nate]

One more thing-

for everyone wondering about the difficulty of joining the British Army, it is hard to imagine it would be any harder than getting into the Canadian Army, if you are born Canadian and especially if you have family living in the UK.

I say this because a buddy of mine from Newfoundland told me there are more Royal Marines recruiting offices on the rock than there are CF offices. 

They must be there for a reason.

 

[kincanucks]

I say this because a buddy of mine from Newfoundland told me there are more Royal Marines recruiting offices on the rock than there are CF offices. 

BS!

 

[Infanteer]

I say this because a buddy of mine from Newfoundland told me there are more Royal Marines recruiting offices on the rock than there are CF offices.

They must be there for a reason.

You have a phone number for this recruiter, or are you making stuff up?  Since when is Canada's sovereign soil the recruiting grounds for a foreign military?

 

[winchable]

I've got it figured,
We've all somehow been transported back to 1812.

 

[nate]

I'm not making this up, this is what a good friend told me from Newfoundland, he has no reason to make this up, but if it's not true, it's not true.

 

[Infanteer]

Well, substantiate your posts here - if you don't you are violating the conduct guidelines.

 

[PJ D-Dog]

If there are more British Royal Marine recruiting offices in Newfoundland than CF ones, then they don't have a phone number.  I did a search on canada411 for recruiting and nothing comes up for the Royal Marines.  I also did googled it and nothing comes up relevant to this either.

The information being presented on this must be bogus or they are secretly recruiting from inside pubs and alley ways.  I've never heard of this before.  A new one on me.  Unless of course the come over on a visit and conduct mobile recruiting activities.  Just thought I'd let you all know.  Hope I didn't violate anything by posting this.

Regards,

PJ D-Dog.

 

[Infanteer]

No, you didn't - it is good to teach people not to treat Army.ca like a bathroom stall where they can write up whatever they feel like.

 

[winchable]

For all those interested, the nationality and residence requirements have been altered on the Royal Navy site, not sure if it's different on the army site.
Make what you will of it:

Nationality and Residence

To be eligible for unrestricted employment in the Royal Navy as a Royal Marine, you must at all times since birth have been a citizen of Britain, Ireland or a Commonwealth country.
You will be subject to a detailed security clearance procedure prior to joining.

You will be made aware of full eligibility requirements when an application is made. Applicants (including those who do not reside in the UK) should initially contact 08456 07 55 55 and those who do not meet the full eligibility requirement should be aware that in some circumstances :
Initial employment in Commando units (40, 42 and 45 Cdo RM) will be limited to General Duties, Driver, Assault Engineer, Chef or Heavy Weapons capacity, at Mne or LCpl rank. This restriction will apply until they receive their full security clearance (normally after 3 years service) after which time restrictions will be lifted for most employment specialisations.

They will not be employable in the RM Communications Technician, Combat Intelligence, RM Information Systems or Yeoman of Signals specialisations. In addition some limitations may be placed on employment in the Signals, Clerks and Swimmer Canoeist specialisations.
Although applicants should be aware of the restrictions above, they will not restrict normal career progression provided no problems arise during the security clearance process

 

[Jascar]

Nothing new on the British army website about residency. The new rule from the navy looks just as wishy-washy as their residency policy has been in recent months, only now it's in writing. Oh well, looks they've kept the doors open to us commonwealth wannabes at least.

 

[winchable]

Exactly, puts the 'I heard's' Into writing, which is good.
No mention of residency requirements at all though so that will be welcome news to a few colonials. 

 

[Infantree]

For those worrying about living there for certain amount of time, don't worry about it if your going infantry. I'm not sure on other trades but i was chatting with a recruiter today and they said that if your going infantry you can get in as soon as you get over there. Don't believe me ask WO2 Doug.

 

[teddymtl]

Hi,

I have read most (if not all) of the previous threads on the subject. I have not been able to find any more recent information though, and it seems recruiting policies change often. I also fear many of those knowledgeable in those first threads no longer post here.

I am out of high school currently working full-time in Quebec. I have never held residency (or even been) to the UK. I am interested in joining the Royal Marines as a NCM. I have already taken the initiative to the contact the recruiter. I just got off the phone with one actually, and he said they will be sending me a RM information pack and the overseas recruiting will contact me in about a month. He speculated for the position I am applying my residency/citizenship should not be an issue, but those policies are not his expertise.

So if I am in contact already, what am I doing asking about it here? Well, first of all I'm excited to be put it bluntly. I have no problem with waiting, just trying to stimulate myself in the meantime. I also have some special circumstances which I'd like some advice on.

First off, I am very serious about this. It is something I have considered seriously since I was 17 (I am now 20). I am in shape, and as of now I am confident I could pass any fitness tests, though I will be training for it specifically regardless. I chose the RMs as I am interested in amphibious operations, not to mention the prestige of being a RM alone. There are no questions in my mind that I would like to pursue a military career at this point. The office job life is genuinely depressing for me, I need to do something different. Not to mention I am passionate about travel and would love nothing more than to get off this continent and immerse myself in different culture(s).

And so here is my situation:
- 20 years old.
- Physically fit. Never had a peep wrong with me. Never even admitted to a hospital.
- Secondary School (High School) graduate.
- Canadian citizen residing in Montreal.
- I have lived in the US recently, but informally, and still had a residence in Canada. More of an extended vacation. I bring this up because they asked specifically if I had resided anywhere else in the past 3 years. Why do they ask this and how should I be prepared to explain the US situation? Would seriously be a let down if that would bar me.
- I have a criminal record, but in the USA. All sentences/stipulations of have been served in entirety. This is not apart of my Canadian record. The charges are not for domestic violence (I believe that is a particular condition for recruiting). Will this be an issue as the charges do not even really exist on my Canadian record? I would like to be completely honest about it if possible.

If someone could advise me on the current recruiting policies for commonwealth RM NCMs, and perhaps how they would apply to my particular circumstances it would be greatly appreciate. I could not thank you enough.

Thanks for taking the time to read this!

-Teddy

 

[medaid]

Teddy,

    If the reason they ask you about your residency i because just like the CF they conduct background checks. One of the reasons for residency profiles is so that they can get a better idea of you, and where you've lived. You should prepare to explain this by telling the TRUTH. Yes the TRUTH, and nothing BUT the TRUTH, and WHOLE truths, not half ones. Of course this will tie directly into your criminal record in the US. One thing you have to be aware of is that having a criminal record, regardless of where you got it from, could bar you from entering into a foreign country.

  The last time I read up on entry into the US, it seems like you're pretty much out of luck there. You may never be able to enter the US. I don't know how this will effect your application with the RM, but hey, if they ask tell the truth. You don't want to be called out later and discharged for false enrollment. NOW that will be a bigger problem.

 

[AmmoTech90]

Try asking here

http://www.rumration.co.uk/

If they are like their brethren on ARRSE (http://www.arrse.co.uk/cpgn2/Forums.html) you may be in for a rough ride...

 

[daftandbarmy]

Based on my time with the Royal Marines, a domestic violence conviction could be a career enhancer as an NCO 

Here are my suggestions:

1) Before you buy a plane ticket, PHONE them and tell the truth about your prior convictions. Don't go all that way just to get the FO at the HP. As a guiude, if the CF won't let you in, you might not make it in the UK
2) You may be fit, but I can probably guarantee you that you 'aint Royal Marine fit. There's lots of information on this site about fitness training for the infantry. Times most of that advice by two, and stay unijured, and you might be OK. As a guide, the closest type of sports training that will get you ready is probably something like boxing training, with alot more running and chin ups/ rope climbing, for about 3 to 4 hours per day.

Best of luck old chap.

 

[teddymtl]

Teddy,

    If the reason they ask you about your residency i because just like the CF they conduct background checks. One of the reasons for residency profiles is so that they can get a better idea of you, and where you've lived. You should prepare to explain this by telling the TRUTH. Yes the TRUTH, and nothing BUT the TRUTH, and WHOLE truths, not half ones. Of course this will tie directly into your criminal record in the US. One thing you have to be aware of is that having a criminal record, regardless of where you got it from, could bar you from entering into a foreign country.

  The last time I read up on entry into the US, it seems like you're pretty much out of luck there. You may never be able to enter the US. I don't know how this will effect your application with the RM, but hey, if they ask tell the truth. You don't want to be called out later and discharged for false enrollment. NOW that will be a bigger problem.

Like I said, I have no desire to lie/half-lie about anything. Please don't get that impression.

I have a deportation order in the USA, so I definitely won't be able to travel to the USA (for 10 years at least)... To be honest though, that doesn't bug me in the least bit. Very much so did not enjoy that country.

I've personally never heard of the UK denying entry to people over convictions. I imagine especially so Canadians.