Intro - Canadian interested in the British Army

[RRCanuck]

Hello Everyone,
I've been reading the forum for the past few weeks, and have read plenty of good tips and info for the application process. I'm considering joining as a combat medic. Any ideas? Good choice?

Are there many Canadians in the forces? Do my fellow countrymen do us proud, or is it my job to be the first?

[anglo-saxon]

RRCanuck: I believe you have to be a resident of the UK to apply (it might have changed). In any case, one of our lads was half English and went into the Paras. The Brit Army careers pers were pretty good at providing info. He had to leave the CF and go to England to submit his application I got him some temp digs through a contact and he was on his way.

[Wee Willy Winkie]

i think you have to get all the qualifications as a doctor AND THEN join the forces to be a medic. www

[Dave_n]

Quite a few South Africans in the Marines, so i've heard.

[Doc]

i think you have to get all the qualifications as a doctor AND THEN join the forces to be a medic. www

To be a doctor you have to pre-qualify in civilian strasse.

To be a medic they train you in house. There is a difference between a Doctor and a Medic, a medic is the good looking one

[Wee Willy Winkie]

yeh i knew i was on the right lines but was not 100% accurate. at least you dont have to study then, straight into the forces you go my wee canadian chum. w.w.w

[df2inaus]

RRCanuck,

Are there many Canadians in the forces? Do my fellow countrymen do us proud, or is it my job to be the first

There are quite a few, I know one officer in RGJ who's Canadian. I've posted on this subject a few times, so check my posts out by clicking on my profile. You shouldn't need to be a British national, unless there have been changes since 2002 when I went through the process as a Cdn citizen.

df2inaus

[RRCanuck]

I don't think I'll have a problem, according to the stern Sargeant that I spoke with at the Commonwealth recruiting office in London. There are several guidelines, but they don't seem to be carved in stone. They say you "should" have resided in the UK for 5 years, and "it is advisable" to have at least 4 years left in your passport. I don't quite have 4, and the Sarge said, "meh, we can probably push it through". I'm not sure how it works if somebody wants to apply in Canada, but I'm currently in London.

Overall it seems kind of flexible in some ways....not as much red tape as there has been for me to join other gov't institutions, such as the London Fire Brigade, and the Met Police.

[Worthers Original]

How come we let people of the Commonwealth join our mobs but it doesn't work the other way round? Should be quid quo pro (or whatever it was Hannibal Lector said).

[RRCanuck]

Perhaps they allow us to join, as maybe they have "special" jobs for us?

"allright, you boys in commonwealth squad go in first...we'll wait here and ummm...cover you..."
-Anyone seen South Park the movie? Operation: Human Shield?

I imagine the British army needs plenty more recruits than commonwealth countries? Wouldn't they be one of the world's leading military forces? There are plenty of jobs that you have to be a british citizen to do. I don't think I could be an officer, and there are a number of soldier jobs that have more restrictions on them as well. Perhaps they save the more important jobs for you guys, and make us do mostly gruntwork? "allright Canuck, your mission is to dig that trench there, while we supervise...it's an important job, so get to it"

"Yes, Sir!!"