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Questions about how to join the US military...

  • 22-08-2009 7:38am
    #1
    Dub83
    Registered Users Posts: 7 ✭


    Hey guys,

    I know from previously being on here that there are a couple of guys currently in the US Army & was wondering if you can answer a few questions for me.....I'm working as a contractor in Iraq at the mo, sick to death of the company I work for & am unable to get picked up by another company due to the poor reputation of the company I'm employed by...guilty by association I guess....As there is no jobs back home, I have decided to join up and decided upon the US Army (I applied to the Irish Navy, was half way through the process & they froze it). I know that there is a retention officer/nco on camp, but have been unsuccessful to date in locating him. I need to know what is required, permanent visa, previous education,what jobs are available to me (I want to get into SF, so will my not being US citizen hinder me) etc... also if there is any kind of waiver of said visa if you intend on joining the Military upon entering the US....

    Any help would be greatly appreciated....

    Phil....stuck in a very hot & humid Iraq :D


Comments

  • #2
    diverdriver
    Closed Accounts Posts: 987 ✭✭✭diverdriver


    Contractor? As in a military company or just some civilian role?

    Anyway to answer your question, you need a green card, period. No green card, no enlistment. On top of that many specialisations and officers have to be US citizens.
    (I want to get into SF, so will my not being US citizen hinder me) etc... also if there is any kind of waiver of said visa if you intend on joining the Military upon entering the US....
    It will hinder you and there is no waiver for people intending to join the military. If there was half the US Army would be foreigners.

    Unless you have some form of specialist skills in demand in the US, you won't get a green card. There is an annual green card lottery though, you could apply for that.

    If you want a military career you only have two options, the British army or the Legion.


  • #3
    Manic Moran
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 16,502 Mod ✭✭✭✭Manic Moran


    You can always just visit the Army's website. They have online advisors you can chat to.

    You're not going to get SF straight off the bat. You need a security clearance, and they don't give 'em to foreigners any more.

    NTM


  • #4
    Dub83
    Registered Users Posts: 7 ✭Dub83


    Contractor? As in a military company or just some civilian role?

    Nah, unfortunately I'm still in civvies, just making a living as a spanner monkey, I say contractor because I don't like to refer to the misfits I work for, I think you can guess who it is :) I was vetted the other day and I asked about clearance, was told I'm eligible for an interim secret clearance, so that may be 1 hurdle cleared....so the major obstacle at the moment is a green card, I tried the lottery already & applications are closed already for 2010...but as of this morning i have a first sgt scouring the base for the retention officer....so if there is negative feedback there, I'll just work for Subway!!

    Dont worry, I'm under no illusions, I know I'll have to pass basic, then Airborne & then I might get a shot at SF, but I've always thought if you're gonna do something, you may as well get the full experience..

    If you want a military career you only have two options, the British army or the Legion....

    I'm trying to avoid the bunch across the water, but may have no choice...
    As for the Legion, I dont think I could go through basic & learn french at the same time....the easiest option would be the Brits, but I haven't exhausted all possibilities yet....will try the Army website today..

    Appreciate the feedback though, if anyone else has any other info that wasnt touched on please let me know....


  • #5
    djtechnics1210
    Closed Accounts Posts: 923 ✭✭✭djtechnics1210


    Why not john british army and try for sas or john royal marine commandos and go for sbs


  • #6
    iceage
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,533 ✭✭✭iceage


    I would love to know who this outfit that you work for is. They can't be that bad...can they?


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  • #7
    diverdriver
    Closed Accounts Posts: 987 ✭✭✭diverdriver


    You need a security clearance, and they don't give 'em to foreigners any more.
    Indeed and that same security clearance issue is an issue with the Brits too. Many jobs in the British forces are closed to Irish citizens (and others of course) these days at the insistence of the Americans largely because of their use of American equipment. It's all about security clearances. Aircrew in the RAF being the most obvious example.

    Damm security:mad:


  • #8
    Dub83
    Registered Users Posts: 7 ✭Dub83


    Well I have finally found the retention NCO on base & have an appointment later today....spoke to the careers advisor for the Royal Marines, they were a bit hesitant to send out the info I requested when I told them I wanted it sent to Iraq!!!! Might have to wait unitl I go home for R&R at crimbo to sort it out...

    As far as the company I work for....I've got 3 letters for you...K...B...R...
    I'm not proud of the fact, but they pay my bills :(


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