Canadian Citizen in the US Marines

[Walter Brunszwick]

I ain‘t too sure that I like the idea of tearing someone apart with a 7.62mm NATO round... In a war it is not personal I know, it is for one‘s country, but nevertheless, the idea isn‘t too appealing to myself. Maybe I‘m just a soft guy... I personally have a slight taste for combat, but on the whole, especially after studying previous wars in history, I‘d avoid one.

Actually, I would prefer it if armies existed only to protect the world from major natural disasters, and aliens, or any aggressive intruders from space and beyond. If so, then there would be reason for defense.

 

[bbupd]

Sherwood.. regarding my comments being garbage, I am shocked you would take it so literally... Simple truth of the matter is that Canadians are generally more well received around the world than Americans.. And although this is a general stereotype, I can assure you first hand that I have felt a significant difference in my travels... I‘ve literally had people refuse to wait on me in restaurants, only to end up kissing my *** when they realized I was Canadian.. And been forthright and upfront telling me they thought I was American... I can also tell you of my experiences in tourism, serving American tourists that I understand why it is that people around the world would find American‘s to be rude, in general... But then again, all ethnic groups have their "quirks"...

So why, if I feel this way, would I join a US military force? I have to admit, in this day and age, Citizenship is simply a case of political designation and categorization.. Technology has made this world much smaller.

 

[Rian_Ca]

muskrat89 : I have also heard these stories.Im hoping that by going across the border they might be willing to help me out more.Over the phone and internet they dont tell you much at all.Its some kind of law about recruiting from outside the US.

Would you be able to tell me more about how your friends got in? If they had any family over there or any ties that worked in their favor?

 

[Jarnhamar]

"If you‘re Canadian, fight (if you need to fight, in a case of an alien invasion, for example)"

You mean like, illegal immigrants/aliens? Thats rather uncanadian of you, eh.

Whats a slight taste for combat taste like anyways? I would imagine it‘s heartburn from a bad ration mixed with pop and chips from the canteen truck.

I have to agree with bbupd. Stereo typing aside i‘ve often found american tourists very rude. Where a canadian or brit may be quiet in a different country to me it almost seems like americans will speak english as loud as they can and talk about the US. Almost like they think it will intimidate everyone around them. Americans ARE targets by international terrorsist communities.

 

[muskrat89]

Rian - I lived in a border town. The guys drove to the recruiter in the US (15 minutes away) and he hooked them up. Sorry, thats the best I can do.

To everyone else - I have seen some stereotypes of Americans proved out. I have seen a lot that were just not true. I have also seen US stereotypes of Canadians proved out These broad generalizations of both sides have proved so embellished that now I wait and pass judgement on an individual basis. Heck, growing up, we stereotyped people from the next town or county, as I‘m sure many of you did. How many times, even now, do I hear western Canadians say stuff about Atlantic Canadians that just is not accurate...

 

[Jarnhamar]

Newfies drink a lot and are hard to understand.
BC is known for smoking pot.

 

[Bert]

This thread has gone into FUBAR.

Canada and the USA are entered into NATO and especially NORAD. Any enemy, particularily a theoretical one now like Russia or China, would take out American AND Canadian targets in case of a conflict. Terrorists would definitely attack the USA and any of its allies or even countries they felt had a relationship with the States. Look at Germany, France, and Italy. They have less in common with the USA than Canada but the enacted incidents of "terrorism/Al Quaeda" are much much more common.

For that, the distinguishing between what is Canadian and American becomes more difficult since the common enemies and friends in terms of the military are the same. In my opinion, joining the Marines doesn‘t have much to do with
national pride, its more of a location of duty if one wishes to entertain that. The Canadian military represents an opportunity to do something for my country.

To join the Marines just wishing to see action may not be a good idea either. First of all, you might get what you wished for. Second, the nephew of a friend of mine has been in the Marines for a year now. Hes being posted to Okinawa for the forseeable future. Nice place to see Okinawa girls and his training schedule looks good. Hard to say right now if he‘ll get rotated to another area.

Comparing the US Marines to the Canadian military or even the Canadian Infantry is silly. Its like comparing apples to oranges. The marines are equipped and trained for a set of deployments and the Canadians another. Its better to compare elements to one another like light infantry to light infantry, counter-terrorism to counter-terrorism, or airborne to airborne. Equipment is equipment but what of the quality or level of training per member? Training the average US marine gets (Private to Corporal) isn‘t much different (in terms of capability)or better than the Canadian light infantry units. The comparsion of US Army (Reg) and the Marines isn‘t exactly are the same terms as they are trained to do different jobs in-theatre. This might make an interesting thread though.

 

[bbupd]

Last I checked the British requirements, you needed to be landed in the UK for 5 years, including your citizenship under the Queen... That means.. on the island. Or does anyone know differently than that?

 

[Jarnhamar]

I will try your scenario when I head back to Iraq, I will wear a big read maple leaf on my uniform. I am sure the terrorists will leave me be, because I am Canadian and I‘m a good guy

Actually i think they would say "Hello do you know my cousin he lives in toronto."

I‘ve read on the internet that we never landed on the moon. You should be careful with where you get your information sir
British are pretty arrogant though, no clue why.

 

[erikkusiak]

Last I checked the British requirements, you needed to be landed in the UK for 5 years, including your citizenship under the Queen... That means.. on the island. Or does anyone know differently than that?

Not if your born in Canada. Still part of the good ole Commonwealth.

 

[erikkusiak]

muskrat89 : I have also heard these stories.Im hoping that by going across the border they might be willing to help me out more.Over the phone and internet they dont tell you much at all.Its some kind of law about recruiting from outside the US.

Would you be able to tell me more about how your friends got in? If they had any family over there or any ties that worked in their favor?

Even though I had family ties that got me the Permenant Resident status, all I did was walk into the Recruiting Office and start talking with someone there. It was pretty easy and I dont think they have a problem helping other Canadians out because I am actually sending one of my friends over there in a bit. My guess would be if you live close enough take a trip down.

 

[bbupd]

My bad.. the Brit Roy Marines require 3 yrs.. not 5.. i think i got the 5 from that being how many years until I hit the age cutoff

too many decisions.. not enough easy ones..

I agree with one of the prev posts.. you‘d think that it‘d be easy for Canadians to go south, and US citizens to go north... unbelievable really.... my US Brother in Law, wants to come north wiht my sister and the two of them live in Canada.. mean while I want in the States.. Should be able to just forgo and swap birth certs

 

[nbk]

Actually i think they would say "Hello do you know my cousin he lives in toronto."

Ha ha ha. SO true..

And for those why say "we are in NORAD and NAFTA with the US so we should be with them no matter what", remember it was our government who got us involved in those things, not our citizens.

Honestly if we showed our adament opposition to the US, would Al Queda really consider us a major target? They don‘t like us because we are sympathetic to the US.

They have enough sleeper agents in our country to ensure they will not attack Canada, out of fear that the government would be well within its rights to evoke the war measures act.

 

[Walter Brunszwick]

Hehe, Ghost778, I was referring to "extra-terrestrails," and supposedly aggressive.
The way I see it, is at the rate of the expansion of the human kind, we will soon have to transfer to other planets, which will probably be as easy and a mouse-click in 50 or so years, and, we just might encounter an aggressive alien species :mg:
Humans have over-stayed their welcome on Earth as I see it, polluting the grounds and the waters and the skies, killing inferior animals, destroying mother nature, etc... If the European settlers had not come here in the Middle Ages, the Indians I‘m sure would have not done the same. Picture a bunch of Injins blowin‘ up **** with nuclear bombs... If I had it a different way, I‘d prefer it that the human race be as economical and resourceful as possible, and let all nature and animals be. Someday, I predict as had supposedly happened before, the Earth will be swept with water, or fire perhaps, and life will start over, maybe with a more intelligent species of dominators, or merely animals. Oh, I hope to God, this infested planet will soon be rid of all whom destroyed its beauty.

 

[nULL]

I‘d think it has more to do with the Western World (in this case, the US) maintaining a strong military presence in the region, as well as a history of almost "giving" Israel weapons which it uses to murder Arabs.

As well, Western culture is beginning to assimilate that of other civilizations, so I suppose it would be only natural to go on the defensive to preserve your way of life. I mean, when you see Walmart moving into your neighbourhood, don‘t you wish that perhaps they would f*** off and give a Canadian retailer a chance to re-establish some visible form of Canadian identity? I mean, I find it insulting when an American store masquerades to the public, stamping a maple leaf onto it‘s logo in an attempt to gain sales through false national pride.

 

[Rian_Ca]

I wonder how many people move to Canada from the US or UK to join the army.

 

[Bert]

On the other hand, there are not great hordes of Canadian military wannabes going to the US or the UK.

Granted the US has interesting military deals with Isreal, but then again, check out the military arms deals Germany, Russia, France, Brazil, and China have within their spheres. Germany last year sold submarines to both Isreal and Eqypt as well as a few other countries.
Ooooo.

Maybe Walmart is American but do you really think great Canadian Icons like Zellers and Tim Hortons has your Canadian best interests in mind. Naw, they just want your business.

The point is.....?

 

[McInnes]

A letter from:
Overseas Cell, HQ Recruiting Group
(ACIO Upavon) Army Training and Recruiting Agency
Room 009A, Building 38B, Trenchard Lines
Upavon, Pewsey, Wiltshire, SN9 6BE

Dear Mr. <insert your own ruddy name>,

Thank you for your enquiry about service in the British Army. This letter, which is sent out to all overseas applicants, explains the entry criteria you have to meet before you can be enlisted.

First, you must be a Commonwealth citizen (which includes British citizens) or a citizen of the Irish Republic.

Second, you must have been born in the United Kingdom, The Republic of Ireland or a Comonwealth Country or, if you were born elsewhre, you must be a British citizen who holds a current passpot issued by the government fo teh United Kingdom (as distinct from the government of a British overseas or dependent territory).

You must qualify (or already have been granted) leave to enter and remain in the United Kingdom under the Immigration Rules. Commonwealth citizens may be given leave to enter by the British High Commision in their own country to take or seek employment within the Armed Forces without a work permit, privided they obtain an entry clearance for the purpose of travelling. You passport will be checked on arrival to ensure such clarance has been granted and that you have the right of abode in the United Kingdom.

Next, there is a requirement for some applicants to have resided in the United Kingdom for the 5 years (10 years in some instances) immediately prior to enlistment. If you cannot meet this criterion it may limit the employment opportunities within the Army. However, waivers may be granted in some cases. Please complete and return the attached Personal Details Questionnaire to establish your nationality and residency status. We will notify you if you are ineligible for enlistment.

You must be between the ages of 16 years and 26 years 11 months (at the time of enlistment) and be abelt o produce a birth certificate. Additionally if you are between the ages of 16 and 18 years, you will require the written consent of both your parents. The maximum age for entry fora full career engagement in most empolyment groups is 26 years 11 months, but limited opportunities do exist for applicants up to the age of 30 years. For officer candidates the maximum age for entry is under 29 years. (Please note that the minimum commitment for service in the British Army is four years from the date of enlistment.

BRENDA WHITTON (MRS)
Administative Assistant
for Commander Recruiting

 

[Duotone81]

Mr. Sherwood

These types of comments make me physically ill, there is really no reason for such garbage.

When frequenting this Canadian discussion forum you should really grow some thicker skin. Especially considering these opinions orginate from a medium which allows every Tom, **** and Harry an international voice. But I digress...

I have to agree with Aquilus Lupin here. The primary function of a military is to preserve self interest where self interest is defined as self defense, economic, politcal etc. Obviously there are the peace-keeping missions as well. To join a military for the sole purpose of doing "good"? You mean by preserving that nations existance right?

 

[Jarnhamar]

French gave them weapons in the 70‘s. Americans have done pretty good at taking over.
Now their talking about killing the head boss? Thats not going to start a riot.