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I thought only citizens of Commonwelath countries where the Queen is Head of State are eligible for HM Forces...

thx to all for responses

It cant be that hard to get in as a foreigner as the Army seems to made up of Fijiens and other foreign people.

But still you lived to tell the tale !

Hows it going mate ?

Hey Yumix,

I am also a South African in the application process (a total bitch) and know loads about joining the Army or Royal Marines from SA. I have done all the research and have waded through all the bureaucratic bullshit that I can from SA.

I am hoping to join the Royal Marines (but may have nationality difficulties so my second option is the Paras).

PM me if you need to know anything about joining the Royal Marines or Paras from SA.

Cheers

PS: things are slightly different for SA's and SAfrican's are not eligible to join the Royal Marines (at least thats what I get from here but will try face to face in the UK next year).

Cheeze wrote: . . . PS: things are slightly different for SA's and SAfrican's are not eligible to join the Royal Marines (at least thats what I get from here but will try face to face in the UK next year).

Cheeze, I'm not sure where they got the information that SA's aren't allowed to join the RMC's, however, I asked the CSM at CTC and he said that you're allowed to join.

There are a number of South African lads in 1 Para, and I have found them a great bunch.

Thanks Tab and Kat.

I know that you can join the Paras being a SAfrican but thanks anyway!

Kat are you sure that SA's (who are South African citizens, ie no Brit passport, duel nationality, ancestral visas etc) can join? If that is correct then it is the best news I have heard ages.

I have emailed and spoken on the phone to various AFCO's and the official Royal Navy site and each time was given the same response: That SA's specifically (doesn't apply to other Commonwealth nations), are not allowed to join the Royal Navy and therefore the Royal Marines (even as a commando not officer). This is because only recently the South African Government won't allow the UK to carry out the necessary security checks (mainly, I think, because SA has had all sorts of problems with mercenary companies and have locked down really hard and don't like the idea of foreign countries recruiting SA's to join their armies). I don't understand why you can still join the Paras though?

There is still a chance for SA's if you are willing to live in the UK for 5yrs prior to joining (which I don't want to do). But I am still going to try face to face once in the UK and just not take no for an answer and see how far I get.

So if you can tell me for sure Kat, I would be stoked (to put it mildly!).

Thanks again,
Cheers

Thanks Sticky.

Actually I have a very English (at least not SA) sounding name. I'm a Clarke not a van der Westhuizen, or a Botha!!

I am sure there are plenty of SA's in the RM's, but the question is did they join in the last couple of years since the new laws came into effect, did they come directly from SA (didn't live in the UK for ages before joining as I am sure a lot did as there are loads of SA's living in the UK), and were they pure blooded SA's (as I explained in my last post)?

If someone can tell me that they know someone who is a RM and fits this criteria, it owuld be a huge help.

Thanks,
Cheers

Cheeze, With luck I will be at Dover on the 24th, if I see any of the SA lads I met the last couple of time I will ask them how they wound up in the Regiment for you.

Thanks Tab that would be much appreciated!!!!

I know that SA's can join the Paras. It is just that for various reasons the RM's are my first choice, but if I can't get in I will definitely be headed for the Paras.

It would still be great to hear what they say though (like how long security checks took as I have heard rumours that they take up to a year).

Thanks,
Cheers

PS: I can't get over how helpful people are on this forum and how with the click of a mouse someone is actually willing to go and speak with serving memebers of the Regiment. Thanks!

Cheeze wrote: . . . PS: I can't get over how helpful people are on this forum and how with the click of a mouse someone is actually willing to go and speak with serving memebers of the Regiment. Thanks!

Marines don't have Regiments

Kat, I was referring to Tab offering to speak to SA members of the PARACHUTE Regiment.

So do you know if SA's can join the RM's with my criteria?

Cheers