Aussie Old Blue

[englishangel]

viewtopic.php?p=48047&highlight=#48047

This is where he told us all about it.

I think people from the Commonwealth can enlist in other Commonwealth forces. Johnson Beharry is West Indian.

[Foureyes]

There is no question of Brits joining Commonwealth forces, or vice versa, being regarded as "mercenaries" since all serve the same Queen. Large numbers of Commonwealth citizens joined the British (as opposed to their own forces) in World War Two and served with great distinction. Their presence was regarded as perfectly normal and scarcely worth remarking on. This has continued to today. Similarly, there have been endless exchanges, where individuals in one force can spend up to three years with the forces of another Commonwealth country and nobody thinks twice about it. A French officer (for example) serving on exchange with the Biritish Army would not have discplinary powers over British soldiers, but an Australian, New Zealander, etc, most certainly would.

Thus, for Greg to serve with the Australian Army as an Australian (but of UK origin) is simply a minor matter and my question to him one of idle curiosity, nothinhg more. In no way can his service be construed as making him a mercenary. Similarly, there are Fijians who enlist in the British Army, and they, too, are not mercenaries. I knew a Fijian warrant officer in a British unit and nobody, but nobody, treated him with anything but the utmost respect - he was the company sergeant-major and that was it.

[loringa]

Slightly amended excerpt from http://www.defencejobs.gov.au

Foreign nationals who do not have prior military experience must apply for enlistment through Defence Force Recruiting (ADF Recruiting Offices) once they have satisfied normal Australian residency requirements. The Australian Armed Forces, however, each have Labour Agreements with the Department of Employment Workplace Relations and the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs. This enables them to provide sponsorship of Permanent Residency Visas for those individuals with appropriate military experience who are recommended for processing for appointment or enlistment.

These individuals have to satisfy a number of criteria including that of filling a shortage area but they do not have to be citizens of the British Commonwealth.

I suspect this is the route Greg took and is the one I am currently following.

[englishangel]

Greg, if you are still watching "Happy Birthday" for the BIG 30