Irish Guy: British Military?

Question

Allright everybody,
I am planning to join the RAF. I know Irish citizens can join, but there's a residency requirement mentioned on the
RAF website. It says that a person has to be resident in the UK
for three years before applying . Can anyone confirm that? I
don't want to waste the AFCO peoples' time
Thanks.
P.S. Does the residency thing apply to the Army, Marines e.t.c

Answer 1

I don't think the residency issue applies to the Republic of Ireland. I read somewhere, sometime, that the UK, in agreement with the Irish government, does not see ROI as a foreign country.

Answer 2

I know unless the rules have changed that, that rule doesn't apply to Irish people .I was in RAF for five years and we had a lot of Irish most of whom came direct from Ireland .Eire has a unique relationship with UK that has nothing to do with EU.Requirements for the other forces will be the same this is not a particular service that would be allowed to discriminate.On checking the RAF site it clearly states you can join if you are British,Commonwealth or Irish by birth.Only a very few jobs are reserved for British citizens I don't know what be would imagine those connected with intelligence.

Answer 3

This is a new one one me. I was always of the impression that Irish citizens could join the British forces at a recruiting office somewhere in Dublin. When I was in the Brit Army I had an Irish bloke in my troop with us in Germany. He had served in WW2 and had three rows of campaign medal ribbons. Blimey. That was in the early 1960s. Maybe things have changed. The Irish Guards for example, recruit more or less exclusively from Ireland [Eire] - so what's the problem with the RAF?

PS The Irish are not foreign. Yes Eire [Ireland] is a free and independent country from UK but the Irish have played a major role in the making of these islands. Welcome to the asylum and don't blame me.

Answer 4

I seem to recall the residency requirement does not apply to Irish Citizens. It would be worth your while to contact the careers office to save any confusion. I know the RAF tend to be a bit picky, they think they are the Senior Service. The British Army and Royal Navy (Royal Marines) will take you.

Answer 5

I know that men from the North and South of Ireland worked together as a great team in the Irish Guards if that's of any use to you.

I'd have to ask my godson who's in the RAF about the RAF.

Why don't you move across the border into the North for a wee while until you have signed on the dotted line? or stay with relatives who may live there or on the UK Mainland?

Given they Armed Forces are looking for anyone and everyone, I doubt you'll have TOO much bother, as long as you have a clean record... that would speed the process up ;-)

Answer 6

I joined the RAF in 1957 I'm from Dublin but I had to go to Belfast to join ,we were then shipped over to Bedford.
There are many Southern Irish who joined British armed forces.
but to enlist you have to go to Belfast or come to the Main land.

Answer 7

Good on you mate, I hope you get in.. I'm sure there is no residency requirement for Irish citizens.

Answer 8

There are some super Irish regiments with an fantastically long and proud background - the Queens Royal Irish Hussars, the Irish Guards... choose for it, sturdy persons are consistently welcome. you will no longer have any issues whatsoever! thank you for the correction...

Answer 9

im quite sure it allows people from ireland or commanwealth countrys to join without being a uk citerzen

Answer 10

Just go for it, my mate is from Dublin and has no problems at all.