I'm Irish, years ago in the eighties I applied to the RAF as officer aircrew only to be told I had to be resident in the UK for five years before I could apply. After some haggling this was reduced to one year. This put me over the age limit so was a no go. Later I queried about enlisting as NCO aircrew and the five year issue came up again.
The Royal Navy and Marines stuck strictly to the five year residence rule.
Ironic considering the number of Irish in the UK armed forces historically. I suspect that rule hasn't changed unless you happen to be tranferring in from another air arm like the Kiwi's and Aussies do.
The army of course had no such residence rules for Irish people anyway. They have to fill those Irish regiments somehow.
I imagine our Dutch friend will fall foul of the same residency requirements even if he had some British relatives.
Last edited by corsair; 22nd May 2003 at 19:25.