Posted on Apr 13, 2014
What do you think of joining the Australian Army?
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I heard from a buddy of mine about the Australian Army recruiting U.S. Soldiers and ex Soldiers. I would like to hear some insight on what others think before I would ever consider an option that drastic. Here is the link to the website, http://www.defencejobs.gov.au/recruitmentCentre/canIJoin/overseasApplicants/army.aspx
Army
Career Advice
Military Career
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 6
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The minute you trade your flag for a paycheck you become a mercenary. Contractor security firms are not much different as your services go to whoever is paying the bill. IMHO at that point one's services exit the realm of honorable profession and become simply a job.
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LTC Paul Labrador
True, but even "mercenaries" have to be careful about who they choose to work for and how they do the job. Develop a bad reputation, and no one will hire you....
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PFC Jason Rodrigues
MAJ Robert Petrarca, you can be a mercenary and still be honorable however it tends to increase the chances that you would not be working with those who maintain honorable intentions.
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MAJ (Join to see)
The Australian Army has fought alongside us in almost every conflict since WWI. In my opinion, as long as one's obligation is up to the US Military, there is no dishonor in serving with the Aussies. To me you'd still be on the same team and the side of the righteous and good. To compare them with service as a mercenary is unfair I think.
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SPC Ressler,
No circumstance on Earth could compel me to pledge my allegiance to the Queen of England. It would go against my loyalties and beliefs.
If you're considering joining the Australian Army, I wish you luck in making your decision. You can't be under any obligation to the I.R.R. though, so depending on your situation, you may need to wait a while before transferring.
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LTC Paul Labrador
The differnce is that we kicked England out. Canada and Australia were "granted" independence as long as they kept the King/Queen as their sovereign. So, yeah, while we came from the same family, we were the "bad kid" who left the house on our own terms, not on our "parent's" terms.....
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Cpl (Join to see)
LTC Paul Labrador And to think Australia was founded by criminals and America by Puritans.... hmmm....
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LTC Paul Labrador
Yes they were "criminals"...but their crime was they couldn't pay their debts and/or taxes. In that sense, Aussies are more like us than they are the Brits. Also, they didn't send their violent criminals to Australia. They simply hanged those dudes.
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LTC Paul Labrador
CPT Michael Barden, Australia was/is part of the Commonwealth. The Queen is still considered their monarch, even though they are an independent nation and don't owe allegiance to the British Parliment. Kinda like Canada in that regard.
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A factor to consider if looking at this would be its impact on your military retirement/benefits in the states. Australia is an ally, and I don't think the US would actively "punish" you (you have to be completely free from any remaining military obligation to your country of origin per the article you linked), however there may be regulatory/statutory language that states that your benefits/retirement are withdrawn or delayed if serving in another country.
There was another post here many months ago (by me, actually, as I found the idea interesting & was wondering what the reaction of people here would be), but I don't really know how to find/link to it. I'll look tonight and see if I can locate it.
Edit: Other thread https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/would-you-go-to-the-land-down-under
There was another post here many months ago (by me, actually, as I found the idea interesting & was wondering what the reaction of people here would be), but I don't really know how to find/link to it. I'll look tonight and see if I can locate it.
Edit: Other thread https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/would-you-go-to-the-land-down-under
Would you go to the land down under? | RallyPoint
This article from Stars & Stripes http://www.stripes.com/news/job-pool-expanding-for-us-troops-interested-in-heading-down-under-1.275395#.UzwN6NysSM5 Points to this website for the Australian Defence Force http://www.defencejobs.gov.au/recruitmentCentre/canIJoin/overseasApplicants/army.aspx Would you consider joining a military that was not the US military - always assuming that you did so without violating US...
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LTC Paul Labrador
You could also potentially put yourself in a position to lose your US Citizenship. With Australia, that is a long shot, but it COULD still happen....
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