Thats my question. How to do it. From what I’ve seen I would need a green card (i-551), but from what I can tell its pretty darn hard to get one if you are not already working in the US or are an “Alien of Extraordinary Ability” being a doctor or physician.
Looks like my only option left is find an American chick to marry so I can get a green card and enlist. Not sure if good idea though.
Oh yea…or get a job with an company thats in Canada and the U.S. and tyr to get a transfer to the American branch. That honestly sounds harder than marrying my way into the Army.
I’ll look into any advice you guys have so fire away.
Thanks. Seemed ok. The last post was the most helpful though all he really had to say was that it costs a lot to get the visa/green card process started, and the goarmy website and the recruiters just give the run around with standardized responses that arent very helpful (This being my own experience as well). He also reaffirmed my suspicion that getting hitched to an American is the best way.
[quote]LoRez wrote:
Why? Just wondering, more than anything. Not something you hear every day.[/quote]
I’ll be getting asked this alot.
Reason for joining US army: I’ve always been interested in the military. Joined air cadets when I was 7 and kept at it until I was 18. After college I looked into the Canadian military and there really wasnt any demand for jobs in the military. There was an opening for a MET TECH (Glorified weather man), but I dont want a desk job.
Anyways US military doesnt seem to be able to get enough people to enlist and I always loved everything military I did as a cadet. The US army has more to offer, amazing camaraderie (without being a crossfit group), more skills to learn etc. I’ll get to see action (the Canadian military actually has a huge waiting list for soldiers to see action) I’ve been selling gym memberships for the last 2 years and even though Ive done quite well at it my heart just isnt in it anymore. I just feel like I’m swindling people sometimes. Even the trainers have a saying to help them sell more training, when they present packages the idea is that: IF THEY CRY THEY BUY.
BLA BLA BLA
Theres lots of reasons that I’m sure Ill have to rehash with people over time but the main thing is that I’m very interested in pursuing the different opportunities the US Army has to offer. Moving isnt a problem I just want to know what my steps are and the surest way to get in. I truly never would have dreamed that it would be this difficult to enlist.
Thanks. Seemed ok. The last post was the most helpful though all he really had to say was that it costs a lot to get the visa/green card process started, and the goarmy website and the recruiters just give the run around with standardized responses that arent very helpful (This being my own experience as well). He also reaffirmed my suspicion that getting hitched to an American is the best way. [/quote]
Why do you think that getting hitched to an American is the best way? I would really beg to differ with that statement, not just because it’s wrong to marry someone for a green card but just that there is way more involved here then you could even begin to conceive. Trust me, I’ve just been through the whole process, which incidentally took well over two years and I still do not have my green card yet. Also, I would like to add that I love my husband more than anything. The whole process has so far cost us, I would estimate, about $10000 so far and that’s not even included just flying back and forth to see each other and any expenses associated with just seeing each other - only things related to the Visa and move.
You are in Ontario and that means you will be dealing with Montreal consulate. They are the third slowest consulate in the world. They will lose your documents repeatedly and then tell you you have to resubmit them. By the time you do that, they will have a new form that replaced the old one and you will have to fill out that paperwork. They will snub you when you call (if you can even get through to them) and all of the jumping through hoops will be your full-time job.
For me, it was completely worth it but in your case, I’m just saying it’s not easy and it’s very expensive. Unfortunately, I have nothing to offer about the army - sorry about that. If you have any questions about Visas or the process, you can ask or PM me and I will be completely honest with you.
Good luck to you with what you want to do but don’t marry some poor girl just to move to another country, please.
Anyways US military doesnt seem to be able to get enough people to enlist and I always loved everything military I did as a cadet.
[/quote]
The U.S. military is cutting it’s forces by more than 80,000 people. Most of these are being put out, not getting out on their own accord. The budget is being cut to hell.
As far as getting to see action…the majority of U.S. forces will be out of Afghanistan in the next 18 months. I doubt you will be seeing any action.
Just something to consider if you are seriously looking at enlisting.
Anyways US military doesnt seem to be able to get enough people to enlist [/quote]
This is extremely inaccurate. I’ve got about 14 years in the Army Reserve and I can tell you it’s not the best time to be trying to join. In the past few years, especially as the economy went south, all branches of the U.S. military have been raising standards as well as reducing the number of waivers they are willing to grant. Recruiters have been litterally turning people away.
To compound this issue we are facing massive budget cuts that are not only going to cause down sizing on active duty, but in the Guard and Reserves as well. In the next few years as the US draws down its forces in Afghanistan I can guarentee the draw down will accelerate.
I’m not saying it’s impossible for you to join, but I wouldn’t do anything drastic in your attempt to. It is hard to join now, it will be harder soon, and it will be even harder to make a career out of the military in the coming years.
[quote]andrew_live wrote:
Reason for joining US army: I’ve always been interested in the military. Joined air cadets when I was 7 and kept at it until I was 18. After college I looked into the Canadian military and there really wasnt any demand for jobs in the military. There was an opening for a MET TECH (Glorified weather man), but I dont want a desk job.
Anyways US military doesnt seem to be able to get enough people to enlist and I always loved everything military I did as a cadet. The US army has more to offer, amazing camaraderie (without being a crossfit group), more skills to learn etc. I’ll get to see action (the Canadian military actually has a huge waiting list for soldiers to see action)
BLA BLA BLA
Theres lots of reasons that I’m sure Ill have to rehash with people over time but the main thing is that I’m very interested in pursuing the different opportunities the US Army has to offer. [/quote]
I am in the Canadian reg force infantry and everything about this is wrong… Where did you get any of this information? lol. A huge waiting list for action? tours work on rotations so the whole country is not all gone at once. How would you learn more skills in the US military? On an individual soldier level as a Canadian infanteer you will learn WAY more. They have so many more people that each person only needs a couple roles where in Canada you will have multiple.
Why do you think that getting hitched to an American is the best way? I would really beg to differ with that statement, not just because it’s wrong to marry someone for a green card but just that there is way more involved here then you could even begin to conceive. Trust me, I’ve just been through the whole process, which incidentally took well over two years and I still do not have my green card yet. Also, I would like to add that I love my husband more than anything. The whole process has so far cost us, I would estimate, about $10000 so far and that’s not even included just flying back and forth to see each other and any expenses associated with just seeing each other - only things related to the Visa and move.
You are in Ontario and that means you will be dealing with Montreal consulate. They are the third slowest consulate in the world. They will lose your documents repeatedly and then tell you you have to resubmit them. By the time you do that, they will have a new form that replaced the old one and you will have to fill out that paperwork. They will snub you when you call (if you can even get through to them) and all of the jumping through hoops will be your full-time job.
For me, it was completely worth it but in your case, I’m just saying it’s not easy and it’s very expensive. Unfortunately, I have nothing to offer about the army - sorry about that. If you have any questions about Visas or the process, you can ask or PM me and I will be completely honest with you.
Good luck to you with what you want to do but don’t marry some poor girl just to move to another country, please.[/quote]
I wouldnt do that but from everything Ive read on the US immigration website and the armed forces web site they make getting hitched seem like the fastest way in.
