What Armies can you join being Irish?

PaurGasm

In relation to me being Irish, I know these few...

Irish Defence Forces
French Foreign Legion
Irish Royal Regiment(British Army)
US Marines(But you need a Green Card and 5years living in US or something like that)

What other military forces can Irish join?

__________________________________________________________


Now don't be like my dad and give me some patriotic speech **** about how I HAVE to join The Irish Defence Forces(Im mad to get a Cadetship in the coming years!). I just want to know what my options are...

LondonIrish90

You can join far more than the Royal Irish Regiment if joining the British Armed Forces was the path you decided you wanted to go down.

Evangelion

Been years since I had a look at the US army, but then it was Green card to Join as a recruit and Citizenship for Cadet.

Citizeship required 5 years of living in the States, but that could be reduced to 1 if you served in the armed forces (Green Card equired), or less if you serve in a "fighting war"

There's no restriction on BA. The selection process is quite lengthy (over a year anyway), and you need to be within the age limit by the time you enter RMAS

xflyer

I'm sure Al Qaeda have a fairly limited requirement to join.

BigDuffman

I've heard that you cannot become an officer in the Royal Marines Commando if your Irish!

Gandalph

Do you not lose your citizenship if you pledge allegiance to another country? I dont really know I just heard stories like

Lemming

BigDuffman wrote: »

I've heard that you cannot become an officer in the Royal Marines Commando if your Irish!

AFAIK, there are few if any limits on what roles an Irish person can sign up to in the British armed forces; gender restrictions not withstanding.

It wasn't me!

The RN, of which the Marines are a component group, require five years' residency before you are eligible for a commission, so you can't wander in from Ireland and become an officer, but you can serve for five years, during which you're resident in the UK, and then apply.

Donny5

Lemming wrote: »

AFAIK, there are few if any limits on what roles an Irish person can sign up to in the British armed forces; gender restrictions not withstanding.

That's not true at all. There's a load of them. You can't work on submarines, you can't get join the Navy (or Marines) as an officer, you can't be an RAF pilot and there's a load more. Obviously, these don't all apply if you have dual citizenship and I'm sure there are workarounds.

Donny5

It wasn't me! wrote: »

The RN, of which the Marines are a component group, require five years' residency before you are eligible for a commission, so you can't wander in from Ireland and become an officer, but you can serve for five years, during which you're resident in the UK, and then apply.

It's not just five years residency. It's five years residency and citizenship for Navy commissions.

Lemming

I stand corrected. I have dual nationality.

paky

you can join the israeli army too. have a look at the mahal. it helps if your jewish

the bald guy from miami ink served in it

cyrusdvirus

Lemming wrote: »

I stand corrected. I have dual nationality.

As do any of us who's parents were born before 1948.

If your parents were born before 1948, before the Republic of Ireland act, they can apply for UK citizenship. And then you can.

BUT it does mean one of your parents giving up their Irish citizenship!!

Lemming

gatecrash wrote: »

BUT it does mean one of your parents giving up their Irish citizenship!!

That's ok; one of my parents doesn't have Irish citizenship anyway

xflyer

BUT it does mean one of your parents giving up their Irish citizenship!!

There in no requirement to give up Irish citizenship. In any case your parent would only be a British Subject not a citizen.

In any case the residency requirement applies. The main reason there is a restriction on certain jobs is because of security clearance issues in part forced on the British for their use of American equipment.

RMD

It wasn't me! wrote: »

The RN, of which the Marines are a component group, require five years' residency before you are eligible for a commission, so you can't wander in from Ireland and become an officer, but you can serve for five years, during which you're resident in the UK, and then apply.

Not true, the Irish can join as a Marine Engineer Officer, a Dental Officer, an Environmental Health Officer, a Medical Officer or a Nursing Officer.

PatsytheNazi

xflyer wrote: »

I'm sure Al Qaeda have a fairly limited requirement to join.

ROTFL

digme

xflyer wrote: »

I'm sure Al Qaeda have a fairly limited requirement to join.

you mean cia right?

xflyer

digme wrote: »

you mean cia right?

Well they recruit you not the other way around. :rolleyes: Unless you're already American.

Richard

xflyer wrote: »

There in no requirement to give up Irish citizenship. In any case your parent would only be a British Subject not a citizen.

And British subjects can't pass this status on to the their children.

I think US citizens may lose their citizenship if they join a foreign army.

MickJB1989

Richard wrote: »

I think US citizens may lose their citizenship if they join a foreign army.

Bang on, the US consider it tantamount to treachery to serve in another nation's armed forces. You'll probably find most European armies will take anyone without a criminal record as an enlisted man, they don't tend to mind who dies for them, as long as foreigners don't lead them.

The EU's free-movement of persons as might prove a way to enforce/ challenge this.

Evangelion

I may be wrong, but the way I understood the BA works for Irish people, is that they are considered British, and ROI residency counts as British for the purposes of joining. I looked at it before and it was very unclear on the site, including on the application form. All your post needs to be routed through the base in Belfast

RMD

As far as I know we are considered Commonwealth citizens by the Navy and RAF, while British citizens in the view of the Army. I remember when filling out some online form before there was no "Irish" nationality, it was under "British - Irish" on the Army website, not sure about the RAF or Navy.

effluent

I've noticed that the azzies don't get a mention when someone is considering joining another countries army. I remember reading an article about an Irish lad in the Austrailian special forces who was killed in Afghanistan. (If I find the link I'll post it)

Wouldn't it be easier for someone to get the citezenship requirements to join the Australian Defence Force's as opposed to the American military?

Teyla Emmagan

gatecrash wrote: »

As do any of us who's parents were born before 1948.

If your parents were born before 1948, before the Republic of Ireland act, they can apply for UK citizenship. And then you can.

BUT it does mean one of your parents giving up their Irish citizenship!!

I never knew that, that's mad.

mattjack

Teyla Emmagan wrote: »

I never knew that, that's mad.

it is Ted......

Corsendonk

effluent wrote: »

I've noticed that the azzies don't get a mention when someone is considering joining another countries army. I remember reading an article about an Irish lad in the Austrailian special forces who was killed in Afghanistan. (If I find the link I'll post it)

Wouldn't it be easier for someone to get the citezenship requirements to join the Australian Defence Force's as opposed to the American military?

RTE were replaying a radio documentary from the 1990s on RTE Choice a couple of months ago about Irish lads that fought in Vietnam for America and Australia. Was interesting listening to them talking about their experiences,

Zambia

effluent wrote: »

Wouldn't it be easier for someone to get the citezenship requirements to join the Australian Defence Force's as opposed to the American military?

That takes 4 years

pablomakaveli

paky wrote: »

seems like 'the Irish' are good enough for cannon fodder but not good enough for commanding

Irish citizens can be officers in the Army. But any job that requires security clearance ,which a lot of RAF and Navy jobs would require, are normally unavailable to Irish people who apply because you need to be resident for 5 years in the UK to get the security clearance.

effluent

Zambia wrote: »

That takes 4 years

Is that for a Visa/Green Card or citezenship?

I was thinking this would be a quicker/realistic option compared to trying to join the American Forces if one had a low chance of getting a green card?

Zambia

Citizenship, once you get that you can apply that's another year ish so I hear.

Manic Moran

[Mod]

Oh, hell no.

No warnings on this one, I'm going to go straight with the banhammer for the next offence.

The thread question is purely an objective one. What armies can one join. The question was not 'what armies do you approve joining', not 'what armies should I join' (though I will accept a discussion on pay, benefits etc), and not 'what armies can joining it cause offence to political sensibilities'.

Keep the discussion empirical. Discussion of cannon fodder perceptions or how the nasty Mexicans abused the St Patrick's Brigade by placing them against the US Marines (or whatever) are out of place here.

Alles Klaar?
[/Mod]

NTM

mattjack

Manic Moran wrote: »

[Mod]

Oh, hell no.

No warnings on this one, I'm going to go straight with the banhammer for the next offence.

The thread question is purely an objective one. What armies can one join. The question was not 'what armies do you approve joining', not 'what armies should I join' (though I will accept a discussion on pay, benefits etc), and not 'what armies can joining it cause offence to political sensibilities'.

Keep the discussion empirical. Discussion of cannon fodder perceptions or how the nasty Mexicans abused the St Patrick's Brigade by placing them against the US Marines (or whatever) are out of place here.

Alles Klaar?
[/Mod]

NTM

yessum....

SamuelFox

If you are interested in joining the British forces get onto Belfast and they will set you straight. In my experience the Army is best – it is the biggest, has year round recruiting for Officers and there is no career path in the Royal Navy or RAF that you can’t also follow in the Army – fast jets, big boats and submarines aside.

The residency requirement of 5 years is the same for all services, but the Army habitually waive it for people living in the South. The Navy are less inclined to do this and the RAF absolutlely won’t. Additionally, if you have been travelling for more than 3 months outside Ireland this will be a problem, so you need to discuss it in Belfast.

As regards anti-Irish discrimination, HM Forces consist of about 400,000 regulars and reserves, drawn from all walks of life and all personality types. There is total intolerance for bigotry of any form, and you will be expected to muck in with whoever you find yourself with. You will equally meet some Neanderthals who will take any excuse to have a go, and you may find that your nationality is the easiest target. Such is life. What you won’t find is any kind of organised or widespread racial discrimination- the army is too diverse for that.

If you are seriously thinking about joining up, do it now. My only regret is the time in my early 20s that I wasted. Get the number in Belfast, give them a ring and see what you think after you’ve met them.

pablomakaveli

SamuelFox wrote: »

The residency requirement of 5 years is the same for all services, but the Army habitually waive it for people living in the South.

I'm not sure if this is the case anymore. My recruitment officer rang me last week and told me my three job choices are now unavailable to me because they all require security clearance so i have to pick another three. He said i could re-train in 5 years if i wanted but that i can't do them now.

SamuelFox

That's possible - they change things very frequently. Do you mind me asking what the choices were?

Your security clearance should not really be affected by residency - the links between the Guards and the DVA over here are good - I'm surprised that its now an issue for you.

If you are dead set on one of those choices maybe you could join anyway and transfer later? Its generally not a big deal to do so.

mattjack

spoonface wrote: »

I hate to ask the obvious question, but why would you want to fight and kill or die for a country that is not even your own?

read post 51

pablomakaveli

SamuelFox wrote: »

That's possible - they change things very frequently. Do you mind me asking what the choices were?

Your security clearance should not really be affected by residency - the links between the Guards and the DVA over here are good - I'm surprised that its now an issue for you.

If you are dead set on one of those choices maybe you could join anyway and transfer later? Its generally not a big deal to do so.

Electronics technician, Installation technician and Armourer.

He said the electonics one isnt possible because they will be getting Apaches which means security clearance will be required. I presume its the same with the Armourer job. The Installation tech is with the Royal Signals and he said all Royal Signal jobs are closed off as well.

Ill still pick 3 other jobs and join anyway. But it is annoying because i had picked those original jobs back in February and had learned all the info i needed to know about them for the interview and icebreakers.

SamuelFox

That's a pity. Chat to your recruiter and see - if you go through basic with another trade (all recruit training is the Common Military Syllabus) you may be able to transfer later, particularly if you get the support of your CO. I was told in RMAS that my desired Choice of Arm was out of the question at the beginning, but after a few months in the system they made an exception and I commissioned in there. Admittedly it wasn't a problem with my nationality, but I've never heard of a prohibition in the Army that hasn't some loophole! Good luck with it!

pablomakaveli

SamuelFox wrote: »

That's a pity. Chat to your recruiter and see - if you go through basic with another trade (all recruit training is the Common Military Syllabus) you may be able to transfer later, particularly if you get the support of your CO. I was told in RMAS that my desired Choice of Arm was out of the question at the beginning, but after a few months in the system they made an exception and I commissioned in there. Admittedly it wasn't a problem with my nationality, but I've never heard of a prohibition in the Army that hasn't some loophole! Good luck with it!

Well i've a degree in Electronic Engineering so hopefully they might decide i'd be more useful as an electronics technician and make an exception but ill still be happy to go with another job and maybe transfer a few years down the line.

Agent Larkin

Donny5 wrote: »

That's not true at all. There's a load of them. You can't work on submarines

My Uncle was on the Royal Navy submarines and he's Irish.

Donny5

Agent Larkin wrote: »

My Uncle was on the Royal Navy submarines and he's Irish.

Maybe so, but you can't now.

bunny shooter

Note to Mods and all BA recuiters here

AFAIK ........................

It is a criminal offence under the Republic’s Defence Act of 1954 to encourage a person to join a foreign army.

discus

SamuelFox wrote: »

but I've never heard of a prohibition in the Army that hasn't some loophole! Good luck with it!

I nearly ended up as an Ammo Tech, and I'm CP4 (lowest possible colour vision!). It seems that if they're looking for a type of person for a specific role, they'll make a route for you.

Manic Moran

A.Tomas wrote: »

Maybe they should try Stormfront.:D

That was easy. Banned for a week.

NTM

amen

degree in Electronic Engineering

out of curiosity if you have a degree why would you not try as an officer?

Manic Moran

gatecrash wrote: »

Bye Bunny.

In fairness, he is generally correct. (S312)

However, I wonder about the applicability of it, as S256 seems to say that you can't plug for the Irish Defence Forces either, unless you're actually authorised (in writing, in your personal possession) to do so. Which, I think, screws over every RDF open house ever held as well as any postings here suggesting that people join the Defence Forces.

S227 needs updating too. (allows the death penalty)

It may come down to a case of reasonable construction: Would a judge read the intent of the law as to cover actual recruiters, as opposed to general commentary? I do not know if there is any case history to reflect upon, I'll go ask the legal heads.

[Edit: Out of curiousity, is there anyone on here who actually is authorised by a foreign government to recruit people into that country's service?]

NTM

pablomakaveli

amen wrote: »

out of curiosity if you have a degree why would you not try as an officer?

I went for the Cadets in the DF last year and when i was up in the Curragh and two current cadets gave us a presentation on life as a cadet and officer. It didnt really appeal to me.

bunny shooter

gatecrash wrote: »

Bye Bunny.

Where are you going

Manic Moran wrote: »

In fairness, he is generally correct. (S312)................

Thank you

"312.—(1) It shall not be lawful for any person—

"(a) to induce, procure or persuade any person in the State to accept or agree to accept any commission or engagement in any military, naval or air force maintained by the Government of any other State, or

"(b) to print within the State or cause or procure to be printed within the State any notice or advertisement in relation to the procurement of personnel for any military, naval or air force maintained by the Government of any other State, or

"(c) to publish or cause or procure to be published within the State any such notice or advertisement as is mentioned in paragraph (b) of this subsection which is printed within the State.

"(2) Every person who acts in contravention of this section shall be guilty of an offence under this section and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof to a fine not exceeding one hundred pounds or, at the discretion of the court, to imprisonment for any term not exceeding six months or to both such fine and imprisonment.

"(3) In this section— the expression “the Government” in relation to any other State includes any person exercising or assuming to exercise powers of Government in or over such State or any part thereof; the expression “military, naval or air force” does not include a voluntary aid society duly recognised and authorised for the purposes of the Geneva Convention for the Amelioration of the Condition of the Wounded and Sick in Armed Forces in the Field signed at Geneva on the 12th day of August, 1949."

Manic Moran wrote: »

...................[Edit: Out of curiousity, is there anyone on here who actually is authorised by a foreign government to recruit people into that country's service?]

NTM

They're here alright :eek:

They have been stoped actively recruiting on other Irish forums :cool:

Sorry OP for derailing you're thread. I hope you get whatever it is you want

It wasn't me!

An insane piece of legislation if ever there were one. Love the idea that if I tell Joe Bloggs that he should join the British Army, I'm a criminal.

RMD

Someone who works in the army giving their opinion does not equal active international recruitment.