Joining foreign air forces?

Maybe_Memories

I've posted a few times about this, here;s a broad question?

Is there any country which doesn't have a law stating you need to be a citizen of the country to join the air force? The RAF and USAF have this issue, is there anywhere that doesn't? Anyone know about the French air force?

Thanks.

El Guapo!

You can join the RAF if you're Irish.

RMD

You don't need to be British to join the RAF. You're just restricted in what trades you can be. I'm not entirely sure, but other than the RAF I'm positive you'll have to be a citizen of the country you wish to join or at least have a visa.

Captain Chaos

Dean09 wrote: »

You can join the RAF if you're Irish.

You can join but you cannot fly anything ever.

Maybe_Memories

Captain Chaos wrote: »

You can join but you cannot fly anything ever.

Precisely what I want to do. Jets. Not helicopters, so I'm leaving out the British Army Air Corp from this.

47

You must also be resident in the UK for three years.

Maybe_Memories

47 wrote: »

You must also be resident in the UK for three years.

Thought it was five?

RMD

Maybe_Memories wrote: »

Precisely what I want to do. Jets. Not helicopters, so I'm leaving out the British Army Air Corp from this.

AFAIK it's not going to happen then. There's some form of international agreement I think restricting people of foreign citizenship from positions of power which give them access to jets, submarines, naval weapons and other positions relating to it. Hence positions like RM Officer are blocked (guarding British nuclear subs), RAF / Navy jet pilot (Access to jets), any Officer position relating to Naval weapons / subs etc. I think this isn't just something British, I think it's international.

Then again, this could be just some bullshít rumor I've heard.

El Guapo!

Captain Chaos wrote: »

You can join but you cannot fly anything ever.

Oh ok, I didn't realise that, cheers.

Maybe_Memories

RMD wrote: »

AFAIK it's not going to happen then. There's some form of international agreement I think restricting people of foreign citizenship from positions of power which give them access to jets, submarines, naval weapons and other positions relating to it. Hence positions like RM Officer are blocked (guarding British nuclear subs), RAF / Navy jet pilot (Access to jets), any Officer position relating to Naval weapons / subs etc. I think this isn't just something British, I think it's international.

Then again, this could be just some bullshít rumor I've heard.

Ah I see! I never actually understood why the law was in place, thanks.

Anyone know anything about the French Air Force? I'm assuming it'll be the same thing, but I can't find a recruitment webpage.

Ah shur, you never know, the Irish air corp might buy a second hand jet some time in the next 10-20 years.

RMD

Maybe_Memories wrote: »

Ah I see! I never actually understood why the law was in place, thanks.

Anyone know anything about the French Air Force? I'm assuming it'll be the same thing, but I can't find a recruitment webpage.

Ah shur, you never know, the Irish air corp might buy a second hand jet some time in the next 10-20 years.

Again I'll reiterate I'm not 100% if this is true or not, just fairly positive. It would make sense though, we (Irish) can go into Officer trades not relating to combat such as Medical, Dentistry, Logistics, HR etc.

OS119

RMD wrote: »

Again I'll reiterate I'm not 100% if this is true or not, just fairly positive. It would make sense though, we (Irish) can go into Officer trades not relating to combat such as Medical, Dentistry, Logistics, HR etc.

sorry, you've been missinformed - the only rules are security rules - and once you're in they get bent if you're the right guy for the job.

you can do lots of frontine, combat jobs in the UK forces if you're Irish - certainly i know an RA Battery commander (AS90 if you're interested) who is Irish, and i'm pretty sure a recent CO of one of the PARA Bn's was also Irish - and, i heard, a former member of the RDF/FCA - the issues around what jobs you can do revolve around access to US supplied int, US supplied equipment, and nukes.

the way to circumvent the direct entrant citizenship rules is to not be a direct entrant - join a trade/branch that allows Irish citizens, gain UK citizenship through service and residency, then apply for aircrew selection.

xflyer

As OS says, rules get bent once they know you, particularly with the Brits. But you're gambling and it's a long shot. I don't know anything about the French but you can guarantee you'd better be French or living there forever.

Like it or not the days when Irish citizens could aspire to a career flying fast jets for anybody is over. Least of all the RAF unless you're from north of the border.

Sorry but you need to leave aside that particular dream. You were born in the wrong country.

westdub

Dont forget that every nation is cutting their defense budgets due to the economic situation and most Air Forces are downsizing which means there is a lot more competition to get the few places that are left, The RAF let 175 trainee pilots go earlier this year and imposed a recruitment ban ....

So not only are you in the wrong country, but even if you were in the right one with the all the right qualifications the chances of getting to fly a fast jet would still be very slim....

Jesus Nut

Maybe_Memories wrote: »

I've posted a few times about this, here;s a broad question?

Is there any country which doesn't have a law stating you need to be a citizen of the country to join the air force? The RAF and USAF have this issue, is there anywhere that doesn't? Anyone know about the French air force?

Thanks.

haha. I love this queston because there is one country that I know of, and guess what, its fecking Ireland !!!
A nigerian lad and a lad from Dubai where in my Air Corps selection not to long ago and a couple polish lads aswell.
Typical, isnt it!