Can I join as a US Veteran?

[BloodyPheonix]

I am an American currently living in America, prepping to join the United States Armed Forces because that is the only way I can afford University. I plan on doing around eight years in the US military to set myself up with enough of a squirrel fund to leave the US. I have a few countries that I'm considering moving to and Canada is at the top of the list.

I plan on getting a Bachelor's degree and joining the Forces as an Officer once I gain citizenship.

In the US we have regulations that a member of a foreign military present or past cannot join our armed forces and I am worried that the Canadian Forces have similar  policies.

So after that meandering introduction I pose my question.

Can a United States Veteran join the Canadian Forces?

 

[Master Corporal Steven]

Good day BloodyPheonix,

Thank you for your interest in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF)

To apply to the Forces, you must:

1. Be a Canadian Citizen.

2. Be 17 years of age, with parental consent, or older, except:
Regular Officer Training Plan – Junior applications must be 16 or older.
Have completed at least Grade 10 or Secondaire IV (in Quebec).
Certain entry programs and occupations require higher levels of education.

In rare circumstances a waiver may be granted to citizens of other countries who have obtained Permanent Resident (PR) status in Canada. This waiver can only be granted if the CAF has a "special need" for a unique set of skills held by the potential applicant, the position for which the waiver is sought cannot be filled by a Canadian citizen, and the national interest would not be prejudiced.

The CAF continuously monitors the manning levels of all occupations. Currently, due to the slowdown in the economy and successful recruiting campaigns the vast majority of CAF occupations are in a healthy state and we are having no difficulty meeting recruiting objectives with applicants holding Canadian citizenship.

The Following link will take you to our recruiting website for more information about joining the CAF and opportunities available to you.

http://www.forces.ca/en/home