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Joining UK Armed Forces

Further changes to British Security. It seems I have arrived here at a strange time as the UK is beefing up security measures that I thought they would have implemented a long time ago. (New laws passing similar to the Terrorist act, and issuing National ID cards) I don't see how this particular change helps their security at all, commonwealth citizens have been fighting along side the British since they were established...Makes you wonder why one would pledge allegiance to the Queen, when you can't even fight for her anymore without becoming British.

http://www.opinion.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2004/11/21/ntroop21.xml&sSheet=/portal/2004/11/21/ixportaltop.html
===============================================================================
Become British or be sacked, Commonwealth troops are told
By Andrew Alderson and Sean Rayment
(Filed: 21/11/2004)

Hundreds of Commonwealth troops working in sensitive positions in the Armed Forces have been ordered to adopt British nationality or lose their jobs, The Telegraph can reveal.

The ultimatum from the Ministry of Defence has angered the estimated 8,000 Commonwealth servicemen serving in the British Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force.

   
Private Tukatukawaqa, who died in Iraq, was Fijian
They are incensed that their loyalty is being questioned after years of risking their lives for Britain in war zones.

Some of those asked to switch nationality have decided to resign rather than comply. MPs and British servicemen are also furious at the move, which they say questions the troop's commitment and professionalism.

The so-called loyalty test has been ordered as part of a wide-ranging security review of personnel employed in positions with daily access to top-secret and classified information. It is aimed at tackling espionage and terrorism.

Troops serving in the special forces, such as the Special Air Service (SAS) and the Special Boat Service (SBS), in addition to intelligence, submarines and other "sensitive" jobs have been asked to become British or face demotion.

The Ministry of Defence refused to say how many servicemen were affected by the ruling.

The Telegraph has seen a copy of a letter sent from the Directorate of Naval Life Management, the section of the Navy that deals with personnel issues, to a New Zealand leading seaman serving on a submarine.

The letter, from a Royal Navy officer, informs him that "changes in the world situation as well as advances, particularly technical changes in equipments, and access to nationally caveated material, have meant that the Royal Navy has had to review which branches and specialisations can be open to personnel who have a particular nationality status".

The letter warned the serviceman that if he chose to keep his New Zealand nationality he "would be unlikely to spend any further time in submarines . . ." Servicemen are, however, allowed to have dual nationality.

The letter claimed that "no one is doubting your loyalty, integrity or trustworthiness". It explained how the submariner could apply for British citizenship using a fast-track naturalisation process.

The Telegraph has been told that the serviceman has decided to leave the Royal Navy because of the "loyalty test".

The man, in his mid-thirties and married, with a small child, is planning to retrain and move back to New Zealand after 17 years in the Royal Navy. "I've never been so insulted in my life," he told a friend.

Servicemen and women from the 53 Commonwealth countries traditionally have been recruited by the Services since the creation of the Commonwealth in 1949. They have fought in many campaigns, from the post-colonial wars through to the Falklands and the current Iraq war.

The SAS, in particular, has a long reputation of recruiting Commonwealth troops, especially those from Fiji, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

The last British Army soldier to be killed in action was Pte Pita Tukatukawaqa, 27, who was Fijian. He was killed on November 8 while on patrol from Camp Dogwood in Iraq when an off-road mine detonated against the side of his Warrior armoured fighting vehicle.

Andy McNab, the former SAS soldier turned best-selling novelist, said he was appalled at the test. "There are other security vetting systems to filter out potential spies or terrorists," he said.

"My first squadron major in the Regiment [SAS] was a Fijian and to question his loyalty would be ridiculous."

All service personnel are vetted and must sign the Official Secrets Act. Those involved in sensitive work may also undergo "developed vetting" - the process for recruiting MI5 agents.

Patrick Mercer, the Tory shadow minister for homeland security, said: "The security aspects are nonsensical. Why would any al-Qaeda 'sleeper' who has bothered to get himself into the Armed Forces blanch at this extra piece of bureaucracy?"

The Queen is certain to have private concerns about the move if, as likely, it causes alarm among serving Commonwealth soldiers and their governments.

The Queen has repeatedly praised the courage of Commonwealth servicemen, and last year she marked Armistice Day by unveiling an Australian war memorial at Hyde Park Corner.
=========================================================================
 
Pieman said:
Further changes to British Security. It seems I have arrived here at a strange time as the UK is beefing up security measures that I thought they would have implemented a long time ago. (New laws passing similar to the Terrorist act, and issuing National ID cards) I don't see how this particular change helps their security at all, commonwealth citizens have been fighting along side the British since they were established...Makes you wonder why one would pledge allegiance to the Queen, when you can't even fight for her anymore without becoming British.

http://www.opinion.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2004/11/21/ntroop21.xml&sSheet=/portal/2004/11/21/ixportaltop.html
===============================================================================
Become British or be sacked, Commonwealth troops are told
By Andrew Alderson and Sean Rayment
(Filed: 21/11/2004)

Hundreds of Commonwealth troops working in sensitive positions in the Armed Forces have been ordered to adopt British nationality or lose their jobs, The Telegraph can reveal.

The ultimatum from the Ministry of Defence has angered the estimated 8,000 Commonwealth servicemen serving in the British Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force.

   
Private Tukatukawaqa, who died in Iraq, was Fijian
They are incensed that their loyalty is being questioned after years of risking their lives for Britain in war zones.

Some of those asked to switch nationality have decided to resign rather than comply. MPs and British servicemen are also furious at the move, which they say questions the troop's commitment and professionalism.

The so-called loyalty test has been ordered as part of a wide-ranging security review of personnel employed in positions with daily access to top-secret and classified information. It is aimed at tackling espionage and terrorism.

Troops serving in the special forces, such as the Special Air Service (SAS) and the Special Boat Service (SBS), in addition to intelligence, submarines and other "sensitive" jobs have been asked to become British or face demotion.

The Ministry of Defence refused to say how many servicemen were affected by the ruling.

The Telegraph has seen a copy of a letter sent from the Directorate of Naval Life Management, the section of the Navy that deals with personnel issues, to a New Zealand leading seaman serving on a submarine.

The letter, from a Royal Navy officer, informs him that "changes in the world situation as well as advances, particularly technical changes in equipments, and access to nationally caveated material, have meant that the Royal Navy has had to review which branches and specialisations can be open to personnel who have a particular nationality status".

The letter warned the serviceman that if he chose to keep his New Zealand nationality he "would be unlikely to spend any further time in submarines . . ." Servicemen are, however, allowed to have dual nationality.

The letter claimed that "no one is doubting your loyalty, integrity or trustworthiness". It explained how the submariner could apply for British citizenship using a fast-track naturalisation process.

The Telegraph has been told that the serviceman has decided to leave the Royal Navy because of the "loyalty test".

The man, in his mid-thirties and married, with a small child, is planning to retrain and move back to New Zealand after 17 years in the Royal Navy. "I've never been so insulted in my life," he told a friend.

Servicemen and women from the 53 Commonwealth countries traditionally have been recruited by the Services since the creation of the Commonwealth in 1949. They have fought in many campaigns, from the post-colonial wars through to the Falklands and the current Iraq war.

The SAS, in particular, has a long reputation of recruiting Commonwealth troops, especially those from Fiji, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

The last British Army soldier to be killed in action was Pte Pita Tukatukawaqa, 27, who was Fijian. He was killed on November 8 while on patrol from Camp Dogwood in Iraq when an off-road mine detonated against the side of his Warrior armoured fighting vehicle.

Andy McNab, the former SAS soldier turned best-selling novelist, said he was appalled at the test. "There are other security vetting systems to filter out potential spies or terrorists," he said.

"My first squadron major in the Regiment [SAS] was a Fijian and to question his loyalty would be ridiculous."

All service personnel are vetted and must sign the Official Secrets Act. Those involved in sensitive work may also undergo "developed vetting" - the process for recruiting MI5 agents.

Patrick Mercer, the Tory shadow minister for homeland security, said: "The security aspects are nonsensical. Why would any al-Qaeda 'sleeper' who has bothered to get himself into the Armed Forces blanch at this extra piece of bureaucracy?"

The Queen is certain to have private concerns about the move if, as likely, it causes alarm among serving Commonwealth soldiers and their governments.

The Queen has repeatedly praised the courage of Commonwealth servicemen, and last year she marked Armistice Day by unveiling an Australian war memorial at Hyde Park Corner.
=========================================================================

Well, as the world keeps turning, so does change.
 
Let me Introduce myself first, I am Jonathan from Halifax Nova Scotia and I am a extremely proud   :cdn:

1 Reason is I'm tired of being DICKED around by Canadian Army Recruiting processes, it takes far too long. I hear about Man power shortages in the tens of thousends on the news, and I get recruiters who are seemingly non enthusiastic about potential new citizens interested in signing up.

2 I have always wanted to live in Great Britain, and This seems like the easiest way to gain citizenship there. I am unclear as to what the benefits of Commonwealth Citizenship are, and I was really confused by the sheer amount of information I was bombarded with when I looked into Immigrations and work permits etc. I was talking to a UK army Recruiter and I asked very direct questions about the possibility of Joining the British Military for the said reasons and my desire to live there for a good deal of time. He simply asked for my weight and a few questions about why I wanted to do what I want to do etc, How I would get over there and how they can help once I am over there, I had to explain that I was a "Canadian Citizen" with no prior military service and not a UK citizen in any way shape or form and he said this wasn't a problem.

3 I want to Re-Iterate that I am a extremely proud   :cdn: citizen and that will never change, I just am tired of being to the recruiters twice and getting the run around when infact they should be recruiting more and more people to supplement a Army over stretched by ever increasing international commitments, I have absolute faith and confidence on our troops in the field and I respect and salute them all. But honestly to be a Foot Soldier a Grunt its taking more time and effort and aggravation then if I was to Go south of the boarder get a green Card and Join the US army ( a Definite NO in my case, I respect the US army but I would never in a million years were the stars and stripes, England is a little closer to home thus why I would chose it ).

Does anyone have any Advice? Maybe Insight? anything would be greatly appreciated and I anticipate being more active on this forum, depending on how active I see this board being.

Thanks in adv for reading through this
Peace   :salute:
 
Johnny_H said:
Let me Introduce myself first, I am Jonathan from Halifax Nova Scotia and I am a extremely proud   :cdn:

1 Reason is I'm tired of being DICKED around by Canadian Army Recruiting processes, it takes far too long. I hear about Man power shortages in the tens of thousends on the news, and I get recruiters who are seemingly non enthusiastic about potential new citizens interested in signing up.

2 I have always wanted to live in Great Britain, and This seems like the easiest way to gain citizenship there. I am unclear as to what the benefits of Commonwealth Citizenship are, and I was really confused by the sheer amount of information I was bombarded with when I looked into Immigrations and work permits etc. I was talking to a UK army Recruiter and I asked very direct questions about the possibility of Joining the British Military for the said reasons and my desire to live there for a good deal of time. He simply asked for my weight and a few questions about why I wanted to do what I want to do etc, How I would get over there and how they can help once I am over there, I had to explain that I was a "Canadian Citizen" with no prior military service and not a UK citizen in any way shape or form and he said this wasn't a problem.

3 I want to Re-Iterate that I am a extremely proud   :cdn: citizen and that will never change, I just am tired of being to the recruiters twice and getting the run around when infact they should be recruiting more and more people to supplement a Army over stretched by ever increasing international commitments, I have absolute faith and confidence on our troops in the field and I respect and salute them all. But honestly to be a Foot Soldier a Grunt its taking more time and effort and aggravation then if I was to Go south of the boarder get a green Card and Join the US army ( a Definite NO in my case, I respect the US army but I would never in a million years were the stars and stripes, England is a little closer to home thus why I would chose it ).

Does anyone have any Advice? Maybe Insight? anything would be greatly appreciated and I anticipate being more active on this forum, depending on how active I see this board being.

Thanks in adv for reading through this
Peace   :salute:

I too looked into the British army extensivly. Reasons why didnt fully engage myself into the possibility were for 3 reasons

- The British Army is seeing its budget being decreased
- Officers must have residence requirements (2-5 years)
- Lower pay than the Canadian army

I would like to point out that there recuiting process is great. I recieved all information on becoming an infantry officer in 4 days. Information on joining the infantry reserves had taken 7 days (only 800km away)

The tradition in the british amy in flamboyant, and if your a history buff, it makes the prospect of a career even more apealing.
-
 
There's a couple of threads on this already. Do a search. You may find it's not easy to join them anymore. One of our regular posters just returned after wasting about 8(?) months trying to join over there.
 
sorry for not making use of the search, I had to break into this board with some sort of Topic, to introduce myself and get direct answers to my questions provided the veteran members here didn't mind answering them.


I was just asking cause I'M seriously interested in this, I am a history buff in a big way and I want to do something differant.
I would never in a million years give up my Canadian Citizenship cause simply put this is home, But getting away for a while and doing something unique with my life doesn't sound like such a bad option. As I already stated I have for ever since I was little been fascinated with the prospect of going to England.

I was also referring to going over as a Non Commissioned member, I have my High School Grades but No Post Secondary or University to speak of.
 
Johnny_H said:
sorry for not making use of the search, I had to break into this board with some sort of Topic, to introduce myself and get direct answers to my questions provided the veteran members here didn't mind answering them.


I was just asking cause I'M seriously interested in this, I am a history buff in a big way and I want to do something differant.
I would never in a million years give up my Canadian Citizenship cause simply put this is home, But getting away for a while and doing something unique with my life doesn't sound like such a bad option. As I already stated I have for ever since I was little been fascinated with the prospect of going to England.

I was also referring to going over as a Non Commissioned member, I have my High School Grades but No Post Secondary or University to speak of.


Well then, if your not going for officer status, it wont be 8 months. The 8 month example was Piemans. He had the ambition to join as an ifantry officer, but was turned down becuase of his age (he was 27)
 
I also have a close friend over there who can Vouch or "Sponsor me" i could even crash there a few days long enough to get my own place. Does this make any difference IE increase my chances or no difference at all?
 
Johnny_H said:
I also have a close friend over there who can Vouch or "Sponsor me" i could even crash there a few days long enough to get my own place. Does this make any difference IE increase my chances or no difference at all?

Im pretty sure it does. I too have many relatives across Britain, and I considered living with them while going to a British UNI.
 
Johnny_H,

I recently returned from the UK after making a Officer application, which unfortunately was not successful. Too old to make the cut for Officer.

If you are interested in joining as a NCM, the process is a little different, and the chances you will be turned away are a lot lower.   I can probably help out with info on several aspects of getting yourself over there and set up. If you are planning on living in London, I got lots of advice for you.

Like the others mentioned, the first thing you must realise is that there is a strong 2 year residence requirement. You will not be able to apply to the forces over there until you satisfy that. This is a new policy they implemented while I was over there. So that is 2 years of doing what? Can you study over there? Are you willing to wait that long?

How old are you? Age is a very important issue there, if you are going to be over 25 by the time you have lived there for 2 years then it could be a serious obstacle.

Not to discourage you, but that is the reality. Really, I was so impressed with all the Army members I met over there, and it really does look like a great place to work. Lots of opportunity. But also a very different philosophy on how to do things that I found strange. They are, after all, British.  

If your reasons for going are because you don't want to wait until your CF application comes through, then think about why you want to do this some more. Yes, the UK is a pretty cool place to live, but do you really want to stay there for that long? It is different. It can be a difficult country to be in. It is very expensive! Just be sure you understand all the implications it will have on your life, good and bad.

I don't consider the time I put into my British application to be a waste of time at all. It took about 8 months, but I was in the UK for only about a month before I faced the selection board. I got to live in London, and have a wonderful time.   I did met some tremendous people there. Most importantly I learned a great deal about myself.

Mind you, if I had to live there for 2 years just to apply, I would not have done it. I am, after all, old. ;)

If you understand the risks/implications, and you feel this is your calling, then go for it.

Feel free to PM me of you have questions.

Pieman

 
My advice is to think about this decision a hell of a lot.
Britain is a pain in the arse, but that's what makes the Brits unique..they all seem to hate it, but that's worked into the good humor and dry evil sarcastic wit. At the same time they're quite cheery despite living in..well...England.
One thing I've noticed is that the English adapt quite well to other countries, but people rarely fully adapt to living in Britain.

I'd reccomend a long vacation there first too, one where you're not a "tourist" and have to ride the rail at 0530 to make to work in London for 8 because you couldn't find an apartment in London and have to live in Plymouth...just an example sorry.

My first vacation there was as a "tourist" and I've now been back 10 times (For varying lengths, at the expense of schoolwork no less) and I've found my rose coloured view of the majestic Isles have become tainted somewhat since my first trip. This was after living there as a young child for about 5 years, Englands changed even since then however.

I still maintain that the closest I've ever been to heaven was sitting on a Canal in Lichfield with a huge plate of Fish n' Chips, a Boddingtons and the most attractive young Englishwoman I've ever met laughing at my "wonderful Canadian Accent"

At the very least, don't go there without having at least taken a 2 week tourist junket to London...that's normally enough to discourage most but on the off chance you're a complete sadist try Manchester, Newcastle, Birmingham see if you can make out a scouse accent, travel to London and try and understand a cockney then head south and see if you can "'ear wot et es they're troiying to sey" that's actually the funnest thing I've done yet.
Put a scouse, a cockney, a welshman, a scotsman, An Irishman, and a southern fairy in a room together and you really appreciate how painfully wierd and different England is.

I also notice you're from Halifax, North America's tailpipe, oi, me too. You'll find that England in general...pretty much looks like Nova Scotia..with more people....more lanes on the motorways (not more motorways however) and a lot of fat people and smokers (word of advice folks if you're trying to get your puffing under control, England is not the place to be)

Anyhow, my time spent in England is fairly extensive given my age and the fact that I live in Halifax. I have an address in Lichfield, UK however and maintain a passport and a Social Insurance diddy there too. So, if you're looking for advice you've got myself and Pieman for the "canadians lost in the UK" perspective as well as a few others around here who are transplanted from the UK to here, or still live there and long to enjoy our Frigid Water, Snow, Praries and...uh..Toronto.

I think the overall message is "The grass is not greener" it's actually sort of..sooty, but there are benefits, but it's best you know about all the negatives before you figure out the positives.

Ah that glass gets more empty everyday.

Sorry for the tangent folks, I just felt like being nostalgic for a moment.

 
^^ I loved reading that whole thing man, Except for Northamericas Tailpipe. I happen to think Halifax is a beautifull city and a wonderfull place to live.
 
Yeah, self-deprecating humour is going to be something you'll have to adjust to as well.
 
One thing I think all Canadians are familiar with is the sense of humor to poke fun at ourselves.
I read what you said the top paragraph about England to a very close friend I would be there with when I go, and she said "Sooo true"
concerning this

Britain is a pain in the arse, but that's what makes the Brits unique..they all seem to hate it, but that's worked into the good humor and dry evil sarcastic wit. At the same time they're quite cheery despite living in..well...England.
One thing I've noticed is that the English adapt quite well to other countries, but people rarely fully adapt to living in Britain.

I'd reccomend a long vacation there first too, one where you're not a "tourist" and have to ride the rail at 0530 to make to work in London for 8 because you couldn't find an apartment in London and have to live in Plymouth...just an example sorry.


Point of this is, Army or not I am going to England and I originally planned to go there as a Civilian, But I thought maybe the army would be a good way to go there should i decide to stay much for the same reasons the army is a good option here, as its a stable secure and although the pay is less its still pretty good once you get going. I was thinkin of it in terms as a "Job" if I decided to stay there, But its not looking like its as easy as the UK Army recruiter told me it was.

So Ill shelf the army Prospect and work on getting enough money together to go there for a extended stay.
 
Do it! join the british army, don't worry about being an officer, chances are that unless you join a corps or a relatively low profile county regt or the RTR (the peoples cavalry) you'll find the mess and subsequent lifestyle a bit, snooty. IMHO anyways. I joined 4 years ago and never looked back. seen a hell of a lot of the world, gotten recognised civvy qualfications out the wazoo, get paid to keep very fit, and every day is something different. beats a grey lifeless cubicle any day.

And if you do want to see england and experience life in england, the army is definitely one way of doing it, plus seeing alot of the world you wouldn't see with the CF (Cyprus, Falklands, Gibraltar, Iraq, Kenya, Sierra Leone, Brunei, Germany, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi, umm Alberta!).

Yes, the food is not like a canadian cookhouse, but it all depends on where you're posted. The pay is actually quite good, comparable to the CF, however the cost of living is greater.

Anyways, good luck with the joining up, if you do go for it that is.

oh and you'll probably get tired quickly of the rip-off that civvy street is over here, ie the cost of living. All I have to worry about as a single soldier is getting up on time and doing my job properly each day, what to do on the weekends, and where in the world I'll be going this year. Simplistic view? maybe, but it's certainly fun while you're young.

oh and Canuck_25, although the budget is being 'cut' so to speak, the biggest place the cuts are being felt is in the infantry, most other regiments/corps are expanding, for example, the sappers (my chosen vocation) are getting a new regiment, plus about 3-4 new close support squadrons, plus a new EOD squadron and geo tech unit.

Pm me or feel free to ask here any other questions you may have for someone serving at the moment.
 
DON'T DO IT!!!!!!

That being said, please consider joining the Royal Marines.   We truly are the Elite.   The best people doing an amazing job.   Joining the Corps is like joining a family, the people that you meet, and even those you don't meet will always be there for you.   just ask around the forum.   Che and Marine837M can vouch for this.

Good luck!
 
big bad john said:
DON'T DO IT!!!!!!

That being said, please consider joining the Royal Marines.   We truly are the Elite.   The best people doing an amazing job.   Joining the Corps is like joining a family, the people that you meet, and even those you don't meet will always be there for you.   just ask around the forum.   Che and Marine837M can vouch for this.

Good luck!

The variety of trades and qualifications available is what I like about the army. Elite or no, I can walk out of the army and into a decent job. I don't know much about the Marines, so what sort of civilian qualifications can someone get with them?
 
If you are talking about joining the British Army for 5 years to get a trade, stay in Canada and do it here.  Serve your country.  You will have some difficulty not going into Combat Arms in the UK.
 
Che said:
I still maintain that the closest I've ever been to heaven was sitting on a Canal in Lichfield with a huge plate of Fish n' Chips, a Boddingtons and the most attractive young Englishwoman I've ever met laughing at my "wonderful Canadian Accent"

Don't listen to him, Lichfield is a sh*thole  :dontpanic:. I used to live in Whittington 3 miles outside of Lichfield and my dad lives there (sort of). It's an evil place and it's getting worse! Going to be there next week, lets hope I come back alive (ok not quite that bad). The only good thing about it is that it is probably the only place in the whole of the UK to have mini golf, that is if you count concrete slabs as putting greens. The Cathederal is a sight to behold though.

I'm sure it wasn't the city or the can of Boddies that made is heaven though  ;)
Cheers,
Morgs
 
I'm no expert on the Brit Arny, but I did live in the UK for 2 years when I did my Master's and as the others on this board have said, its a huge adjustment...the England that we are often shown on TV and what not forms a very small part of the real UK...there is alot they don't show us...its not all that its cracked up to be...that being said, I loved my 2 years over there and am now a certified Anglophile (I should be committed)...

I would love to go back there and recently tried for an Officer Commission...that didn't work out too well in the end because even having had my 2 years residency (2001-2003...not that long ago), they still wanted me to spend some more time there...so remember that the 2 years requirement is an absolute minimum...you could be waiting for up to 5 years as stated by the MOD...anyway, thats for Officer's so I don't know if its different for NCM's...even then, I was pretty well established in the UK (Bank Accounts, NHS registry, Voting Registry, Permanent Address for 2 years, University, Uncle living in Leeds etc.) and that still wasn't enough...its a shame, I would have loved to go back there...but I'm 26 and so time is a huge factor, as Pieman indicated, the older you are the tougher it is on the RCB...at 26 I don't have the time to wait and it would be too much of a gamble when there are no guarantees...

All I am saying is that be forewarned that you could be waiting for a while...if you're young and willing to wait then sure...but if you're keen on getting going right away then don't be dissapointed when the Queen tells you that you have to live in Bally-go-Backward, UK for 2 years before you can enlist...

Also remember that you're dealing with an overseas application...even with the CF's slow-ass recuriting process you could be waiting just as long or even longer with the UK app...I didn't even get over there and I spent easily 5 months getting all the forms filled out and sent away...there are loads of forms!...and then they have to do background investigation as well...so it might just take as long as the CF and there is just as much red tape...your medical forms could get sent back for clarification due to something as minor as a previous ankle sprain...its just common sense that when you are dealing with this from across the Atlantic its going to take much longer!  And this is all before you even get over there for interviews and stuff...

From my experience my advice is to seriously consider it because you could be waiting longer then you think and with all its recuriting faults, the CF is really no different or less efficient then the Brits...just because they send you your info forms in 4 days doesn't mean the process will be any quicker...Royal Mail has always kicked ass anyway!

I'm no expert, but from what I see of the CF, they have just as much tradition and just as much great history as the Brits...maybe not as long of a history but still packed with great stories and traditions...alot of them taken diredtly from the CF's British heritage...that's just my though on that issue...

Anyway with that, a few things I remeber about the UK:

1-In the grocery store...the furits and veg take up half an aisle while the chocolate and crisps occupy 3 aisles...and the frozen fried foods take up another 2 aisles...
2-Most public spaces seem to double as general garbage dumping grounds...especially along the rail lines...I've seen full sofas thrown down the side of the train tracks...
3-Recycling...what's that?
4-London-Absurdly expensive
5-Pair of Levis in Canada-50 Dollars/Pair of Levis in England-50 Quid

Every Brit I know who lives in Canada thought I was crazy for wanting to move to the UK...they all say they will never go back there to live...

Great place to visit...being a Canadian in London is loads of fun...but not so great place to live in my mind...

Cheers...sorry for the long rant!


 
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