so obviously its allowed? or AM I mistaken?
2006-12-16 12:06:59 · 20 answers · asked by I AM=iam 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
It's only treason if you're enlisting in an army your country is at war with. There may be other legal restrictions, in the country where you're trying to enlist, or in your own, but it's not treason.
2006-12-16 12:09:28 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
It's not treason unless you join an enemy force. If you were to join the Canadian army or the Japanese Navy, you would suffer the loss of citizenship. But not treason unless you join an army actively engaged in combat with the USA.
As for Canadians, that is Canadian law.
On another note, the WWI fliers in the Lafayette Escadrille, actually part of the the French air force,the USA pilots fighting the Germans before the entry into WWI by the US were given transfers into the United States Army Air Service and retained their citizenship.
2006-12-16 12:24:29 · answer #2 · answered by iwasnotanazipolka 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
You could only be charged with treason for fighting against your nations forces. Even then if you were in a uniform it is unlikely. Of course if you were a terrorist that's different. They are not an army. Americans and others joined the British in the RAF long before we became involved in WWII as a nation. The "Flying Tigers" joined the nationalist Chinese. Americans fought in the "Abraham Lincoln Brigade" in the Spanish Civil War. The recent movie "Flyboys" was about the Lafayette Escadrialle fighting with the French in WWI. Your main problem would be if you were in the infantry in anyway and captured shooting at your own country's. You might be shot on the spot depending on who captured you. Still happens.
2006-12-16 12:38:15 · answer #3 · answered by Marc h 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
In Vietnam: many thousands of Canadians served in our military,
I know that quite a few died. I had several in my units.
Yanks did join the Canadian and British military in WWI and WWII. Not always a flyers. WWII's "Eagle Squadron". Most of the men who flew in WWI joined the French Army.
Let us not forget the American Merchant Marine who for over two years before the US entered WWII delivered supplies to England at the cost of many thousands of seamen. My uncle served with these men.
One if thinking about doing such only has to ask the State Department or inquire at a countries Embassy.
But it is a situation that we likely will never see again: no need for "great" land armies in our age. Yes, we are needing our fine military today but none of America's allies are facing or will face "extinction" by another Hitler.
Fools, fanatics, adventure seekers, well they do join other armies, often regreting such.
2006-12-16 15:18:21 · answer #4 · answered by cruisingyeti 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is allowed as long as you don't enlist the army of a hostile nation or a nation we are at war with. Even then if you renounced your US citizenship, it would not be treason as you would no longer be a citizen.
The French Foreign Legion is the most well known army to enlist non-citizens.
In fact many people in the US armed forces are from other nations. For these individuals it is just a job that pays well compared to their wages in their home country.
2006-12-16 12:13:36 · answer #5 · answered by my_iq_135 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The regulations and rules of any country differ for each country. It may seem innocent, but you may have to figure out why you want to join a foreign army and not the one of your own country.
Are you willing to give up your citizenship? What if the other country tells you to do so? Will you listen? What if the others in the foreign country don't like you? What then?
Complete thought must be given to any serious undertaking that could cost you your life, and your home.
GOD bless.
2006-12-16 12:17:26 · answer #6 · answered by May I help You? 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
In my opinin if you join the opposing side those who have attacked a NATO country then the answer is yes. You have no idea what wierdos these Middle East Islams are, they don't give a damn about anyone and kill babies...you need to open up the Quran and read, you will find the underlying reason for the hatred of the country that you have enjoyed.
If on the other hand you agree with the war your country is involved in, and you simply wish to fight with a different group of the same effort, then no, it isn't treason.
Seriously consider before making such a decision.
2006-12-16 12:13:29 · answer #7 · answered by northstar 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Treason is defined as giving aid and comfort to the enemy. If you joined Al Queda or the Iragi insurgents then Yes that would be treason since they are the current enemy. If you join the British army or some other allied army then no it would not be treason.
2006-12-16 15:52:09 · answer #8 · answered by ikeman32 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
On every US passport it states; "Under certain circumstances, you may lose your U.S. citizenship by performing, voluntarily and with the intention to relinquish U.S. citizenship, any of the following acts: 1. being naturalized in a foreign state, 2. take an oath or making a declaration to a foreign state, 3. serving in the armed forces of a foreign state, ..." When signing up with another armed force, they may require an oath of allegiance. This may conflict with being an American. You can't serve two masters.
2006-12-16 16:04:00 · answer #9 · answered by Richard B 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, it is not treason. Plenty of Americans joined the British army in WWII before American entered the war.
You will need permision from the state department, but I don't think that is hard to get if you are joining a friendly army.
2006-12-16 12:16:34 · answer #10 · answered by Walking Man 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋