anyone know anything about transferring to the australian/american army

[kerryk]

dh has someone in his battalion who has transferred to the american army, another left the army a few years back but is now moving to australia to join the army out there.

does anyone have any info on how to do this, any info at all actually would be good.

not really something dh or i have ever thought about bfore but it has always been our dream to retire abroad, cant hurt to look into things a bit

I think it buggers up your pension as well.

My DHs colleague is transferring to the Australian Navy. Apparently you drop a rank for at least a year, but then can work to regain it. I believe they offer a fair bit of support (eg visas, accommodation etc) but you need to finance the process which can take a long time.

Have a look at this for the Australian Services.

The Americans would only accept you if you became american. I think that the Australians have a more open policy (they can join the British armed forces and brits can join theirs, because of the Commonwealth)

I know a few people who have gone to the australian AF

so how do you become american?

thank you for the australian links my dh would have a fit if he could see my writing this

A friend of mine I joined up with joined the RAAF, he's in Sydney now having a fantastic time and has never looked back.

Americans will only allow you in if you can show that you can do something that they need (IYSWIM) you need to get a Green Card and apply to become an Americal National. It can be quite a complex process

I have an Army friend who has just been accepted by the NZ Army having done his 22 and have a friend who is an RAF Officer who is leaving to join the Aus AF this summer, again who has done his time in the RAF.
Sorry don't have any info about applications but it certainly doesn't seem too uncommon, at least to NZ and Aus.
American would be hard I would have thought and I would not want to join them .

One of my mindees parents did thid to Australia, last year, and another is doing it this year. (maybe it was something I said )

Hi kerry Mindees mum says email her at [email protected] and she will tell you how they went about it.

shoshe thats great thank you.

is it ok if i put "shoshe at mumsnet" put me in touch so she knows what i am talking about or do you want to be kept anon. (dont want to put my foot in it)

Just put it was her childminder that put you in touch love, she was stood behind me reading the thread and told me to give her email, so will know who you are, I did say it would be from Kerry.

Keryy - are you army? There is LOADS of stuff on ARRSE about his - we have been looking at Australia too at DHs 22 yr point.

yes we are army, why does everyone wait till they have done the 22 years first? can you stay in the australian army till you are much older than the british army?

Hi Kerry, my DH nearly joined the RAAF this year (but got an offer he couldn't refuse from RAF so we stayed) - one reason everyone waits is because you keep your pension when you emigrate then the time served in Britmil counts towards your new Aus pension too! Yes they pay less, but the lifestyle is cheaper and weather far better and you are getting UK pension plus new Aus salary iyswim. The age limit may be a factor - it depends on whether they are short of people with your DH's experience/rank etc.

Hi KerryK

I have copied a page from their website for you, it is below. I know 2 familes that have done it and both have now left the amry, one was a RSM dropped a pay packet stayed for the minium 4 years and now does some contract work for them. The other was was a Sgt in the REME transferred and got posted to Darwin they absoutely hated it, nothing there at all for the wives and children and just really not what they were led to expect.

Think that if your hubby can get on the 6 month exchange that they do would be a good start as it would give him some insight in to it. I don't know if all corps do the exchange but know the Engineers do for def.

I believe it takes about 2 years and is really thorough, eveybody has to have a medical, and in my friends case they also spoke to her children, although they were 12 and 14.

I think a lot depends on your hubbys trade and rank as well.

SCMA Transitions
Overseas Lateral TransfersOverseas transfer is the process of transferring serving or ex-serving foreign soldiers who have skills that are valuable to the Australian Army. There are two ways to transfer, Labour Agreement (LA) and Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS).

Labour Agreement (LA)

LA allows the Australian Army to recruit foreign soldiers in identified skill shortages of the rank of Sergeant and above.

Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS)

ENS allows the Australian Army to recruit foreign soldiers that are highly skilled that do not come under the LA. Each application is considered on its individual merits and can take in excess of 18 months to complete. Circumstances under which Army might attempt to recruit under ENS are as follows:

An individual who is of the rank appropriate to the LA, but who has not completed the minimum level of formal study required by the LA. This individual will have operational experience or other skills which SCMA deems sufficient to warrant recruitment action under ENS; and
An individual who is below the rank specified in the LA but who has operational experience, skills or formal training sufficient to warrant recruitment action under ENS.
If you have any questions please contact Sue Laurence on (03) 5258 0637, CPL Peter Anderson (03) 5258 0659 or Mr Shane Howard on (03) 5258 0632 email Overseas Lateral Enlistments

Please Note: The cancellation of an Offer/Authority for all transfers will be considered by SO2 Transitions upon the receipt of the following documentation:

Minute by member stating reasons why cancellation is sought;
Members minute is to be actioned by the unit Commanding Officer/Officer in Command with comments confirming as such;
Minute is to be signed both by member and unit Commanding Officer/Officer in Command; and
Trade Transfer cancellation is to be forwarded to SCMA TRAC.

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great thanks everyone. australia here we come

right after i tell dh that is!!!