New Zealander in the RM's?

[ace_compton]

ok guys...heres the deal.
Im from New Zealand, and im in NZ now, I want to join the military, but the NZ defence force is a joke (we dont even have any fixed wing attack planes in our airforce!?) so I though about joining the French Foreign Legion, I have reaseached joining them, and they seem too dis-organised and who wants to serve the french?.
What im hoping to find out is a citizen of the commonwealth allowed to join the Royal Marines, I have e-mailed and mailed the recuiters in 4 different cities about 2 months ago, and not one of them has got back to me.
Do any of you fine gentlemen know any info regarding to this? or have any of you served with a foreigner in the RM's?

I hope someone out there in the inter-web can help me.


respectfully


ace_compton (stupid name, i know)

thanks

[ace_compton]

guys, please, dont just read the post....post something yourself

[druadan]

Ace, in short, the answer is yes. I won't try and give you details as I don't know, but certainly Commonwealth citizens can join the Corps. We have an Ozzie and a Canuck in our troop. I believe there is some difficulty over having a dual nationality, but as I said I don't know the details, this is just what I can remember off the top of my head. My best advice is to ring the London AFCO, go to www.royal-navy.mod.uk and follow your nose to find their number; from what I remember they're the best people to call about foreign recruitment. BTW, no chance of officer recruitment from Commonwealth.

[ace_compton]

cheers druadan,
i didnt mean to confuse you, dont worry about me mate, Im a pure bred kiwi (if there is such a thing) And i dont want to be an officer, i wanna be at the bottom of the pile.

cheers again

[al(spider)]

there was loads of new zealanders in the corps when i was in , just be prepared to be called kiwi for all your time in and good luck

[Artist]

As al(spider) says there were NZ lads in the Corp.

One of my Bezzy Oppos was a bloke called "Pedlar" (Kiwi) Palmer. Born and Bred in NZ and a cracking good bloke. Just apply.

They will give you two choices: Yes or No. Go for it!

Artist

[al(spider)]

another word of advice ace, if you`re gonna join then bring a swanndri ranger shirt with you (olive) for when you get to a unit ,i only discovered them when i left the corps better than a fleece or awooly pully any time and bomb proof,you`ll not regret it and as you probably know swannis are all over new zealand,cheers al

[ace_compton]

thanks so much for all your comments guys, its made me feel alot better about trying to join.
I guess im gonna have to foot the bill, and call long distance.
i guess you guys kinda answered my next question already, but just for my sake, how much shit will everyone give me....i.e. a foreigner in your army, or would it be more of never-ending kiwi jokes?
im in palmerston north by the way AequitasBellum

cheers

[ace_compton]

also, someone said, thats there is no chance of being an officer if your from the commonwealth.
Does that mean, i cant go directly to officers trainer, but can i still be promoted if i start as a RM?

cheers

[druadan]

You can't go straight in as a YO...speculatively I would say you could get a commission either through Corps Commission or Staff Officer Late Entry, but that's based only on the fact that the CTW CO isn't British born...so don't take it as gospel!

[ace_compton]

im not too fussed about being promoted at this stage, its just nice to know i have that option,

cheers again guys

[Shoulderholster]

Ace
Don't worry about it mate,plenty of lads from the Commonwealth are in the Corps.As for the officer thing we once had a Rhodesian for a Coy Cmdr.
Just bring a sense of humour with you and your sorted.
All the best.
SH

[harry hackedoff]

ace_compton, nice name. Were you ever in Blackadder?

Commonwealth Citizens are entitled to apply for entry into the Corps and as far as I know, that means as an Officer.

Best of luck there Kiwi. Can I come to your next hungi(or thingy, or whatever you call it when you chuck perfectly good food in a hole in the ground where a fire has been and then forget about it because you`re too pissed. Great fun, all the same )

[ace_compton]

hi harry,
can't say ive ever actually cooked or eaten a from a hungi, thats more of a maori thing, i usually get my food from the big 3...mcdonalds, burger king and KFC.
Just curious, I dont suppose new zealanders (commonwealth citizens) are eligible for the SAS? its not like i will ever be good enough to try and join them, but its always nice to have options.
any ideas?