Ok I posted this in the Joining the Military part of the forums and have decided to repost it here because 1) there are Marines on this part of the forum and 2) I'm obviously blind and couldn't see this part before. Anyway this was my post:
I am an Irish citizen, 19, looking to join the Marines Corps. As I do not live in the United States I can't get much information and I can't contact a recruiter to get the information I want and need. If someone who has joined the USMC as a foreigner or knows someone or even if a recruiter on here could help me I would be so, so grateful.
The kind of information I am looking for is like, how easy or difficult would enlisting be for someone like me? What would be a sort of average wait time between seeing a recruiter and stepping on the bus for Parris Island be? Also, the kind of stuff the a recruiter would give someone that came to see them. Would my involvement with the Irish Reserve Defense Force make me exempt from serving in any branch of service in the US? There is more which I will post some other time when I remember them.
Some information about me that may be helpful, I'm 19, currently unemployed, a member of the Irish Reserve Defense Forces (Air Defense), no criminal record. I have an Aunt and cousins who are all US Citizens and two Uncles that served in the US Army during Korea and Vietnam. I am going to the US embassy at the end of the month to begin my application for a Green Card, I am also going to try and speak to a Marine there but I don't think that I will be able to due to security reasons.
Now, for those who will surely try and bash me or tell me to stay at home, that the US doesn't want me or what ever, don't bother! For those who wonder why I don't just join the Irish Army, well it's because it just doesn't cut it for me, the Army here is bubble wrapped. Also they have this crap excuse for not recruiting.
Anyway, any help or information would be much appreciated. Thanks
I'm hoping the someone who has gone through the process of getting a Green Card and then Citizenship and then joined the Marine Corps could shed some light on what they went through to get to where they are now.
I'll contact one of my room-mates from my first enlistment. He is Filipino and earned his citizenship after enlistment. In the meantime go to my profile and select me as one of your friends, so we can go to private messaging and exchange e-mail.
I'll ask him if he wants to assist and hopefully put you in contact with him.
Davecerami1965 thanks but I have read that post several times and although I don't think that it is untrue I also don't think that it is entirely true for everyone. Like I don't think that a Chinese ex-PLA soldier would be allowed to join the marines, but I have heard of many Europeans and Central Americans joining. Thanks for trying to help though.
There is always the French Foreign Legion if you really want to troop and can't get on here. Those Boys are pretty tough and always put up a good scrap with whomever they go up against.
One thing, you may want to drop the negative attitude and stop believing that anyone here is going to degrade you by telling you we don't want you because you're Irish or whatever. Our history is filled with outstanding people WHO HAPPEN TO COME FROM IRELAND but CHOOSE TO BE UNITED STATES MARINES and they gave a pretty good account of themselves.
Just give us the same open mind you're asking us to give you and we'll get along fine.
I hope you make it in with us as you seem like that 40 Commando exchange officer we had with us once. You're just as feisty and that's a good thing we admire. But you both have no clue that we don't even know you folks so how can we have anything against you??? We're a melting pot country so it's not our Corps' way.
Best of luck in whatever you choose and however it works out for you.
Originally posted by Deanosaur: One thing, you may want to drop the negative attitude and stop believing that anyone here is going to degrade you by telling you we don't want you because you're Irish or whatever. Our history is filled with outstanding people WHO HAPPEN TO COME FROM IRELAND but CHOOSE TO BE UNITED STATES MARINES and they gave a pretty good account of themselves.
I just put that in because from all of the forums I have been looking at over the last few months there is almost always somebody that will stick their nose in where it's not wanted. I suppose, in hindsight, I was only looking for trouble putting that in but thanks for the advice and I will keep it in mind. Oh, and with regards to the FFL, I'm not all that good at learning new languages.... I had considered it before but discounted it as I believe the Marine Corps is exactly what I want.
GT6238, there is nothing wrong with being Irish but it does make it harder for me to join the Marine Corps.
From what I can tell my best course of action is to apply for my Green Card and some how contact a recruiter, I've been told that there is a USAF recruiter in England so I guess I'll give them a ring and see if they can put me through to the right person.
If anyone on this forum has gone through the same process that I will be going through, I mean like getting a Green Card, setting up in the US and going to a recruiter etc., could they please help me and tell me something about it. Please keep the advice and help coming its really appreciated, really!
Look... you seem like a squared away "bloke" with a lot of heart. However, the USAF recruiter is going to tell you what I've been posting on here. You aren't a US citizen or a legal US resident, and they can't help you unless you've become one of the two. If you have a hot looking "Mum", I'll marry her and adopt you. All kidding aside... you're not joining our ranks anytime soon until you get that legal aspect taken care of. Good luck on your endeavors.
Why not go directly to the source/decision makers and telephone Headquarters Marine Corps direct to see exactly where you stand and what your process really is?
We're still in the middle of a shooting war so who knows, maybe there may be some special program or something else which may help you expedite the process of foreign enlistment. They're the ultimate decision makers so they're the ones who really know.
Good luck man, I hope you achieve what you're looking for.
You have to have "legal status" in the USA to join the Marine Corps. If you are a permanent resident alien (commonly known as a green card), then you can join. Other than that, not much hope.
Originally posted by Deanosaur: Why not go directly to the source/decision makers and telephone Headquarters Marine Corps direct to see exactly where you stand and what your process really is?
We're still in the middle of a shooting war so who knows, maybe there may be some special program or something else which may help you expedite the process of foreign enlistment. They're the ultimate decision makers so they're the ones who really know.
Good luck man, I hope you achieve what you're looking for.
I would but that would cost me a fortune in phone bills and I'm unemployed.
How bad do you want to be a Marine? There's always emails so think of alternatives. Being a Marine is not about seeing obstacles, it's about overcoming them.
Dude it's just as easy to say yes as it is no and the real fun is always in making the impossible happen when everyone else said it couldn't be done.
Improvise, adapt and overcome man, make your dream happen.
