# How can an American join the British military? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 9, 2007, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-an-american-join-the-british-military/407353 "2007-06-09T12:18:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Ximenean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/aca169/32.png) [@Ximenean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ximenean)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2007, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-an-american-join-the-british-military/407353/22 "2007-06-10T16:37:49Z")
I know, but according to **Lust4Life** soe people from the south are/were in the British army. ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2007, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-an-american-join-the-british-military/407353/23 "2007-06-10T16:39:16Z")
OK, didn’t realise that was what you were replying too. ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2007, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-an-american-join-the-british-military/407353/24 "2007-06-10T16:41:48Z")
[QUOTE=Usram] I know, but according to **Lust4Life** soe people from the south are/were in the British army. [/QUOTE] From the FAQ in my link above: > [@](#): > > **I do not want to be the only Southerner in the Battalion, how many other people from the Republic are serving in the Battalion?** > > You will not be the only Southerner in the Battalion. In fact there are quite a few of us. The last Regimental Sergeant Major of this Battalion was a Dubliner, one of the Company Commanders is a Dubliner and three out of four of the Company Sergeant Majors come from the Republic. Southerners are employed in all the skills across the rank structure, in whatever they wished to be trained to do, including sniper, drivers, anti tank missile operator, mortar operator, signaller and musician. > > \*\*Will I still be able to retain my Irishness in the Battalion? > \*\* > > We hope that you will never lose your Irishness. Irish men have been joining this regiment and its antecedent regiments since 1689. The character of the Regiment, the people, the music, the culture, the banter, the style, the jokes, the clothing, the sports clubs, the clubs we support all reflect that which you would find in Cork, Limerick, Galway and Dublin. We will never lose our Irishness. ---
**Author:** ![Commodore\_Penguin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@Commodore\_Penguin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Commodore_Penguin)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2007, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-an-american-join-the-british-military/407353/25 "2007-06-10T18:32:37Z")
[QUOTE=chowder] Well if you do becomae a naturalised Briton that’s just the first hurdle. There are many other obstacles facing you, here are just a few. 1, You have to learn to love Fish 'n Chips AND mushy peas with a passion 2, You must abhore American football, baseball and basketball 3. You must love real football aka soccer 4. Pronounce “Isn’t it” as “innit” 5 Dislike of Manchester United FC is mandatory Master these 5 and you’re almost there, not quite. but almost [/QUOTE] 1. I already like Fish 'n Chips… mushy peas I’ll carry a plant around with me for when no one’s looking 2. ESPwut? Oh, the sacrifices I make… 😛 3. Done. I hope to train myself into regular Victorian-era Cockney 3&5. I used to play Soccer when I was 10 at the YMCA… that counts dunnit? Heh. I’m arbitrary about my team affiliations; usually I go after what jersey & logo I like best. Manchester United can go have tea without sugar! (or something) > [@Struan](#): > > [UK-Yankee](http://www.uk-yankee.com) is a site run by American expats in the UK. There is a ton of information on immigration procedures there, and there are very active forums full of helpful types. Thanks for that link, it’s a real help. Looking through that site, it seems it would be near required I have a special set of skills or training or degree or some sort that they are specifically looking for, and coming from a developed, western nation with the same language isn’t enough? ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2007, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-an-american-join-the-british-military/407353/26 "2007-06-10T18:49:28Z")
[QUOTE=Commodore Penguin] Looking through that site, it seems it would be near required I have a special set of skills or training or degree or some sort that they are specifically looking for, and coming from a developed, western nation with the same language isn’t enough? [/QUOTE] Pretty much, I think. You could meet a nice British girl, marry her, and take up British citizenship that way I suppose. ---
**Author:** ![Rayne\_Man](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/df705f/32.png) [@Rayne\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rayne_Man)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2007, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-an-american-join-the-british-military/407353/27 "2007-06-10T19:08:56Z")
[QUOTE=Struan] Pretty much, I think. You could meet a nice British girl, marry her, and take up British citizenship that way I suppose. [/QUOTE] I think they have even tightened up on that. You have to prove that it is a genuine marriage and not just a ploy to get into the country ---
**Author:** ![snetplit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ebca7d/32.png) [@snetplit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snetplit)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2007, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-an-american-join-the-british-military/407353/28 "2007-06-10T19:30:15Z")
[QUOTE=Struan] Pretty much, I think. You could meet a nice British girl, marry her, and take up British citizenship that way I suppose. [/QUOTE] I almost did that once not to be British mind you. One of those internet things, it almost turned real, but then it got all weird. Love is a funny thing. It can even make even British cooking seem minor. Anyway sorry for the hijack. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2007, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-an-american-join-the-british-military/407353/29 "2007-06-10T19:34:47Z")
[QUOTE=Rayne Man] I think they have even tightened up on that. You have to prove that it is a genuine marriage and not just a ploy to get into the country [/QUOTE] What! They want _pictures_? Peace, mangeorge. BTW; this is the best chuckle I’ve had in a few days. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2007, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-an-american-join-the-british-military/407353/30 "2007-06-10T19:40:28Z")
[QUOTE=Struan] Pretty much, I think. You could meet a nice British girl, marry her, and take up British citizenship that way I suppose. [/QUOTE] Will taking up citizenship get me a nice British girl? An English Rose? **Helen Mirren** , for example? My heart, it pounds! ---
**Author:** ![devilsknew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4da419/32.png) [@devilsknew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/devilsknew)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2007, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-an-american-join-the-british-military/407353/31 "2007-06-11T02:20:05Z")
If you are, perchance, a descendent of the Electress Sophia of Hanover then you might have a case for citizenship. > [@](#): > > Eligible descendants from the Electress Sophia of Hanover may hold British Overseas citizenship based on their status as British subjects before 1949. Where such a person acquired a right of abode in the UK before 1983, it is possible for British citizenship to have been acquired. See also History of British nationality law and Sophia Naturalization Act 1705, … Otherwise, join the US Military and request a British post. Knock a pretty girl up, and live there ten years. ---
**Author:** ![cerberus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/71e660/32.png) [@cerberus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cerberus)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2007, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-an-american-join-the-british-military/407353/32 "2007-06-11T04:58:09Z")
There are bits of the US Code that address this. In short, service by US citizens in foreign nations is not at face value illegal. However, serving in the forces of a nation engaged in hostilities with the US will likely lead to loss of citizenship. Serving in senior posts in foreign service may be interpreted by the US as intent to relinquish US citizenship. [cite](http://travel.state.gov/law/citizenship/citizenship_780.html) ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2007, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-an-american-join-the-british-military/407353/33 "2007-06-11T12:52:10Z")
[QUOTE=devilsknew] If you are, perchance, a descendent of the Electress Sophia of Hanover then you might have a case for citizenship. … Otherwise, join the US Military and request a British post. Knock a pretty girl up, and live there ten years. [/QUOTE] Oh man! Do we have to start saying “knocked up” again, just because of some silly movie? I’d hoped that expression ws dead. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![chowder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/977dab/32.png) [@chowder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chowder)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2007, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-an-american-join-the-british-military/407353/34 "2007-06-11T12:57:31Z")
[QUOTE=mangeorge] Will taking up citizenship get me a nice British girl? An English Rose? **Helen Mirren** , for example? My heart, it pounds! [/QUOTE] The Queen is already married 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2007, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-an-american-join-the-british-military/407353/35 "2007-06-11T13:24:14Z")
Be advised: if you join the Royal Navy, they will _not_ start you out at the same rank as your username. Rule Britannia! ---
**Author:** ![Rayne\_Man](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/df705f/32.png) [@Rayne\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rayne_Man)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2007, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-an-american-join-the-british-military/407353/36 "2007-06-11T13:50:41Z")
[QUOTE=mangeorge] Oh man! Do we have to start saying “knocked up” again, just because of some silly movie? I’d hoped that expression ws dead. 😉 [/QUOTE] A [Knocker Upper](http://www.studioarts.co.uk/gallery/tombrown/knockerupper.htm) was a valued member of society years ago. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2007, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-an-american-join-the-british-military/407353/37 "2007-06-11T14:25:10Z")
[QUOTE=chowder] The Queen is already married 😃 [/QUOTE] In the clips I’ve seen (the DVD’s on the way) she looks very convincing. What is the general opinion in the UK? Knowing this may help **The Commodore** in his quest. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![chowder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/977dab/32.png) [@chowder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chowder)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2007, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-an-american-join-the-british-military/407353/38 "2007-06-11T15:09:11Z")
[QUOTE=mangeorge] In the clips I’ve seen (the DVD’s on the way) she looks very convincing. What is the general opinion in the UK? Knowing this may help **The Commodore** in his quest. 😉 [/QUOTE] I’ve seen the film and whilst I am far from being the most fervent royalist alive I have to say that HRH Helen did a great job of portraying her madge as being quite insensitive to the thoughts of the British following Dianas death Phil the Greek on the other hand is made out to be the berk he is and the guy who pays Obersturmbannfuhrer Blair is also very good. All in all quite a good film ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2007, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-an-american-join-the-british-military/407353/39 "2007-06-11T15:52:14Z")
I’m looking forward to the movie. I’ve watched what I could of her “Prime Suspect” series. Good stuff. Really good. ---
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2007, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-an-american-join-the-british-military/407353/40 "2007-06-11T17:13:34Z")
In the first world war, one of T.R. roosevelt’s sons served as a clonel in the British army. In WWII, lots of American pilots joined the RAF (in Canada). Gen. Douglas McArthur served as a files marshall, in the Philippines Army 9and caught flack for it). And many american pilots accepted commissions in the Republic of China Airforce (and flew for the “Flying Tigers”). I’m guessing the relative popularity of a conflict makes the difference (about losing your American citizenship, by serving in the armed forces of another country). Incidentally, are legal alien residents of the USA subject to the draft? ---
**Author:** ![chowder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/977dab/32.png) [@chowder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chowder)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2007, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-an-american-join-the-british-military/407353/41 "2007-06-11T17:18:53Z")
[QUOTE=chowder] I’ve seen the film and whilst I am far from being the most fervent royalist alive I have to say that HRH Helen did a great job of portraying her madge as being quite insensitive to the thoughts of the British following Dianas death Phil the Greek on the other hand is made out to be the berk he is and the guy who pays Obersturmbannfuhrer Blair is also very good. All in all quite a good film [/QUOTE] I should have mentioned that some of the scenes are of actual footage following Dianas death and the media hysteria which followed. As I said, I’m not a royalist but I vividly remember all of that and to be quite honest with you those scenes reduced me to tears at the time I came pretty close to it in the film [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-an-american-join-the-british-military/407353.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-an-american-join-the-british-military/407353.md?page=3)