Foreign Talent?
 

Hi guys,

Just wondering as to whether USAF,RAF or any other airforces accepts foreign pilots into their ranks....Say if I were to migrate and take up a permenant citizenship with them just after completing my studies overseas,would they allow me then to join em' ? Intend to further my studies at Embry-Riddle University in States...Really appreciate if you guys could give me some advice on that matter.Thanx! :D

Best Regards,
Vibes

Sorry, came into this thread expecting something else. Still, whilst I'm here... That lass who worked in Bruggen mess was nice.

I hear the girls in Arizona are quite accommodating.....:E

Vibes,

Rules for the USA used to be that you must be a naturalized Citizen (or US Born) to hold a commission (all Pilots are officers (or Warrant Officers in the Army)) - this means you have to go through all the immigration hoops first then wait at least 5 years before becoming a naturalized Citizen.

You can enlist as a permanent resident (Green Card) and then get assisted path to citizenship through the military, but obviously can't be a pilot.

Might have changed, but you can also get a posthumous award of citizenship if you are killed as in the service of your country - I kid you not.

I can't speak for USAF but they're probably stricter than the RAF. I came over from NZ and joined the RAF a few years ago. This process was enabled because NZ is a member of the Commonwealth. Any citizen of the Commonwealth can join the RAF provided they meet certain British citizenship criteria. That means having a British born parent or having either an ancestral visa from a British born grandparent (which enables a 4 year working visa) or a Right to Abode, all of which are slightly different.

The UK Armed Forces will accept Commonwealth citizens during their first 5 years BUT be prepared for grief over security issues, especially if you are going aircrew as things like aircraft tactics manual are usually classified for UK Eyes Only. So you may end up getting through elementary flying training easy enough, only to find that on a flying squadron you can't get combat ready or you won't be privvy to certain briefs because you are from somewhere dodgy, like Australia. :E

No matter which way you end in up in the UK, if you stay legitimately for 5 years then you can apply for a British passport. If you're really keen then you can renounce your original citizenship and become proper British, old chap. The Brits are pretty good about this once you have a British passport, but be prepared to get the persona non grata treatment from the Spams on exercises or ops unless you are single-nationality. This is not a decision you should take lightly, especially if you want to return to your home country, but you may find it restricts your career potential if you don't.

I'm not sure of the recruitment situation with aircrew at the moment, but a lot of initial intake training has been reduced over the years in all branchs and trades. Of course if you fail flying training, you can always go FC for the '3rd man in the cockpit' experience. (snigger)

Good luck.

Edit note: Just saw that you are from writing from Singapore so you can probably get in under the Commonwealth rules.

Aren't the Auusies recruiting at the mo?

Just to correct 4Foxtrot. Look to the future. No more backseaters so its actually the '2nd man in the cockpit'.:E

You could always go Army Air Corps.


*Puts flak jacket on*

What about the Republic of Singapore Air Force?

Good question by Blapto - what's wrong with the RSAF?
All my dealings with them have shown them to be a very professional organisation, with some good kit... and since you are currently a NSman, arent you 90% of the way there? (unless you are NS'ing for the Army I guess).

Or is your focus more on getting an airline job, as you seemed to indicate in your other posts on the other forums?

Hi guys,

Well,gd qns Blapto.Actually I did try out for the RSAF only to be rejected along the process.This was partly due to the fact that I am of a minority race and down here,its kinda hard for a minority to serve in the armed forces as an officer.This is especially true for the air force and the navy.That's why I'm asking around as to whether other countries are willing to accept foreigners into their ranks.Frankly speaking,I don't see why I can't make it cause educationally,I have the upper hand (Diploma in Aeronautical Engineering) and I'm physically fit.I even did flew with the youth flying club while I was studying in polytechnic.I sincerely hope you guys can fill me in on this cause I'm really interested in joining the military as a pilot be it flying fighters,transport or even choppers for that matter,I'll take it.However,the last resort,as per mentioned in my other post,was to join the airlines but I'll try to avoid this path as much as possible.I really appreciate whatever advice you guys could give me :)

Best Regards,
Vibes

Time is a concern, how old are you Vibes?

22yrs.......