Righty-o, got in touch with a canuck who has pretty much joined apart from tipping up and getting kitted out. Stand-by for quote:
from a PM received via @ www.aarse.co.uk
If I can help any Canadians, then will always offer a hand. A little information about myself, first and foremost, this is my second trip back to that lovely little island. I was first in England last year April 18th, through to August 6th heading into the Royal Marine Commandos, I went through the process, PRMC etc. left at the end of the PRMC, to return to Canada, b.c I was under the idea that if I returned I would marry my child hood sweet heart. Ignoring the advice of Cpl.**** (who is at the PRMC in Lympstone)
I boarded the train, waited around, realized I had made a mistake leaving the Royal Marines, and applyed for the army. Now here is where some people might have also been discouraged, the reasoning of my return to Canada and the wait for 6 months. In defence minster Hoon's wisdom he decided to make it more dififculy for 'overseas applicants' That applying for the Army etc, would be like applying for any other job, so I was quit discouraged last summer. They told me things would not change till roughly January 2005. So I headed home and waited, now this is what any canadians have to do. Ingnore immigration, rules b.c they do not apply to Canadian citzens you are able to enter the country without a visa, but you do need a "police certificate' which annouces that you have no prior convictions. Contact the overseas cell 011 +441980 6188 72, ask for a application form. Now I have heard from a few contacts such as previous recruiters, and a good friend of mine who is a basic training instructor Cpl. **** **** (fellow canadian) that the application is quicker if you arrive in England insted of waiting here in Canada. Which from personal experience is true. It takes a minnimum of 8 weeks to recive a response, from Over Seas Recruiting if you are staying in Canada (mail, clearance, all play factors to the minnum 8 weeks) whereas citzens of the Commonwealth who are already staying in the UK can apply at any Army Careers Information office (Thos in London must use the Strand Office) You will be asked to show your passport and visa (not needed for canadians) At the ACIO you will be asked a few basic question, they will hand you 'overseas cell' application you return it to them filled out.
Now I would recommend, ordering the overseas cell application package to Canada, b.c there is alot that needs to be filled out. LOTS! Criminal records, eye checkups, passport information, doctors checkup, immunization records.
It takes roughly 10 - 12 weeks, process to get into the army, it took me roughly 8-10 weeks with the Royal Marines, but that is b.c I waited my overseas application processs here in *****, BC. The 2 year wait, is nonsense, take it from someone who has been there and waited. You recive all benefits that other Commonwealth citzens recive. There is alot to fill out with the overseas cell application, just do not get discouraged. The application for Officer is different and I can not comment on that aspect, but this is the process for Non Coms' it is not as hard as they say for Canadians over there, the hardest thing is the wait. So its recommended to get a pub job, stay fit and run lots. It is harder for people from Fiji, india, North Ireland etc. The only wait is the over cell secuirty check, and make sure everything is done to the '9's!' when filling out the papers. If I can help anymore, feel free to email me *******@****l.com I am leaving in roughly a weeks time so if I can help just give me a shout.
*****
(Edited to remove any remotely personal details)
This is pretty much the same process I went through, apart from the extra 'overseas cell' paperwork.
Bound to add a bit of fire to the debate methinks!
It's always better somewhere else. The British Army don't have the same benefits that we have.
