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Canadian in the RAF

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Old 19th Nov 2008, 19:54
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Canadian in the RAF

Top of the morning to you all,

To start off, I have done a bit of researching, been on the RAF site, and the archive stuff on here, and if I missed anything major, smack my ass, call me Sally, and show me what I've missed
So, I was wondering what is necessary for a Canadian-born, but Canadian/British citizen (courtesy of my Father) to enter the RAF as a pilot. I'm currently at college taking liberal arts courses (useless crap really, but its what I enjoy and its what I'm good at) but I didn't do too well in upper level Math and Physics courses in high school, but I'm doing really well in history! Is being Canadian a detriment to joining the RAF? Will I have to live in the UK for a certain amount of time before I can join? Will I need to finish my college degree in order to join?

Cheers
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Old 19th Nov 2008, 20:22
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I myself am currently looking at joining the RAF so i might be able to offer some advice.

While I dont think that maths and physics are essential to join the RAF. Obviously they will help a lot so that might be an issue for them as you have said that you seem to excell more in arts/ himanities.
I can tell you that they prefer candidates straight out of A level (18 years old) and the upper limit is 23 years so you can easily fit in a degree if you wanted. I might be confusing myself with the army but im sure the RAF have online recruitment chats- you should check it out.
With regard to educational requirements you can check the website though im not sure if Alevels/ UCAS points will mean anything to a canadian.

I shouldnt think being canadian will be detrimental to your application- it doessay commonwealth countries and even Republic of Ireland oddly enough. Have you thought about the Canadian forces? I've recently been watching a TV show on discovery about the Canadian air force- F18 hornets! Does Canada have an army air corp or fleet air arm?
ollie
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Old 19th Nov 2008, 20:22
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You may need residency qualifications.

You do not need to finish your degree however it would possibly be a better move.

Your subject does not matter; it is the recognition of your ability to study at a higher level, and stick at it, that is important.

Talking of stickies, have you read the stickie at the top of the page as I think you will find you are not the first.
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Old 19th Nov 2008, 21:08
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Are you a proper Canadian or one of those Frenchie types....? Proper canadians can join but the Garlic eaters can bugger off
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Old 19th Nov 2008, 21:22
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Just tell them that there are so many Brits leaving to join the Canadian Forces and you're just trying to redress the balance!!
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Old 19th Nov 2008, 21:53
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At the turn of the sixties some 30% of active pilots in the RAF were described as 'Dominion, Colonial or Overseas.'
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Old 20th Nov 2008, 00:02
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YVRKid,

Why do you want to join the RAF instead of the Canadian Forces?

OBD
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Old 20th Nov 2008, 00:07
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Sorry to steal your post, but are the Canadians accepting commonwealth applications yet? I remember speaking to a C130 pilot a couple of months ago who said they were going to start accepting them soon.
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Old 20th Nov 2008, 00:28
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YVRKid,

Why do you want to join the RAF instead of the Canadian Forces?
For Queen and Country!
In all seriousness, my family is strongly British, I have great pride in being British, my great uncle was a Spitfire pilot who was shot down, and he's a legend in the family, plus, why fly for Canada, when I can fly for Britain, the big Kahuna, as it were.

Plus the RAF is in active Ops and the Air Force arm of the CF is sitting at home (save the transport guys).
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Old 20th Nov 2008, 01:12
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What's it all aboot, eh?

A couple of my best buddies in the RAF are Canadians. Good luck but be prepared for endless Terence & Philip jokes.
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Old 20th Nov 2008, 08:40
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Greetings OBD....I see your lack of productivity (save the odd trip to Home Depot) gives you plenty of time to lurk in these parts! Trust all is as expected.....steady yourself for the inevitable invasion of the BBD clan!!
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Old 20th Nov 2008, 08:49
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Back in 2003 RIAT, spoke to a RAF QFI (Bell 412) from DHFS who mentioned they had a CAF exchange officer who was going to transfer to RAF and become a UK citizen. In fact I was told that this guy was more Brit than Brit and the squadron thought he was a Winston Churchill kind of character!! considering in his quarters he had the Union Jack everywhere and a kind of shrine to Churchill.
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Old 20th Nov 2008, 13:07
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The chap to whome you refer is in the RAF and was so long before the time you state. I know of 2 Canadians in RAF service (both helicopter pilots) and I am sure that there are many more Canadians in BritMil service..
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Old 20th Nov 2008, 14:42
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My mind aint what it was, but wasn't there a Canadian Jag pilot whose brother was a CF-18 flier?
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Old 20th Nov 2008, 17:33
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There is a Canadian Techie at a large Cotswold Transport base. Looks just like Ned Flanders!! Oakley Doakley!
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Old 20th Nov 2008, 22:07
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From spheroid:
Are you a proper Canadian or one of those Frenchie types....? Proper canadians can join but the Garlic eaters can bugger off


ahhh yes, got it! don't spheroid rhyme with hemorrhoids ?
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Old 21st Nov 2008, 12:37
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Shouldn't be too much of a problem. As a Canadian, I completed 18 years in the RAF. Never had a Brit passport. Made life interesting with regard to NATO travel orders on occasion.

camlobe
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Old 21st Nov 2008, 12:46
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...Britain, the big Kahuna...
We like you already. Welcome aboard. You'll do well.

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Old 18th Oct 2011, 05:10
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A Canuck Joining the RAF

I am a 16-year old from Victoria British Colombia, and I am finishing high-school early. I will be finished in June of 2012 (I will have just turned 17), and am taking all of the sciences and maths and getting great grades in all of them. I am then going on an exchange to Germany from September 2012 to June 2013, and THEN I want to join the RAF (Royal Air Force) as a fighter pilot. That is the whole reason I am finishing high school early. I have Canadian citizenship, but may be able to get British citizenship through my Dad's side of the family. I have looked at the RAF site, can anyone tell me if I am missing anything, or need to complete anything before joining the RAF? Any tips or anything of the sort?
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Old 18th Oct 2011, 09:47
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Good luck but be prepared for endless Terence & Philip jokes.
"Blame Canada, Shame on Canada,
It's not even a real country anyway .....!"
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