Prospective U.S. military recruits have long been told "Uncle Sam wants you!"
Well, Stars and Stripes reports Tuesday that Australia wants you even more and is willing to pay for it.
"The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) welcomes enquiries from both officers and sailors who are interested in a new career and new life in Australia," the Australian Navy's website says.
The U.S. ally down under is seeking everything from submariners to doctors at ranks from enlisted to officers in all branches of its services and salaries can be substantially higher, according to the Stars and Stripes report.
A staff sergeant in the U.S. Air Force with six years of service makes $31,946 while a corporal in the Royal Australian Air Force makes $57,277 in U.S. dollars, Stripes reports. The difference is pay for an officer is less, but Australia still comes out on top, with a U.S. Air Force captain earning $63,263 and the Australian equivalent, a flight lieutentant, making $66,417 in U.S. dollars.
Stripes points out that Australia's economy, boosted by Chinese demand for its mineral exports, is in better shape than many other areas of the world.
Australia is seeking experienced applicants only and has a program in place to grant permanent residency to foreign passport holders.
Australia has signed on about 500 foreigners from the U.S., Canada, Britain and New Zealand in the past five years, according to the report.
© 2012 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
| Advertising practices | Advertise with us | About us | Work for us | Help
This is impressment.
No, actually, impressment is when a country forcibly enlists someone into their armed forces (typically the navy) without their consent. What Australia is doing is called "recruiting".
Joe learned a new word. Unfortunately he does not know what it means.
I wish I was younger...
I shouldnt have retired...Damn
"Put another shrimp on the barbee." damn I'm lame ofr saying that.
But they are they hiring contractors? Plenty of DoD types out of work.
Being a vet myself, I can think of few better opportunities to help serve the common interests of the "Anglo Coalition" (US, UK, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia). Love the Aussies and would fight next to them any day.
If I was in the military and unattached I'd go. Better pay, warm climate, hot Australian women.
didn't know that governments also poach each other's fighters!
As there isn't a lot of employment opportunities for our vets in the private sector, I see nothing wrong with this...
Am I the only one who is seeing something wrong with this picture? Since when enlisted service men and woman not only can be solicited to serve foreign countries offering higher salaries but also with complete blessing from the Media as if they only serve their country for money. Then what is the difference between a Marine and a mercenary!? At least if they lose their lives they would have lost it for their country and not for few dollars more.
Im from Australia , just hope any US serviceman who is considering joining the Aust armed forces makes a considered judgement, because living here could be a big culture shock for many right wing military people .
Housing and car prices are higher , we have a universal health care system and subsidised medication , public education is decently funded with extra support for lower income families, we have income tax as well as a value added tax to help fund the states, fairly well maintained cities, as well as lots of poisionous spiders and snakes
Vets considering this may want to get some legal advice before pursuing it. It could result in your US citizenship being stripped...: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/8/1481
I think the article mentions that there is a program in place to grant citizenship....not sure the program offers accent training!?
Interesting. But I gotta wonder, when you leave active duty US Armed Forces – aren't you still in the reserves for a period of time (akin to 5 years)? Someone with first hand experience please correct me on this.
If you are on reserve, I'm assuming you can't enlist in the Australian Armed Forces, as this could present a conflict if your reserve unit was called up (let's assume for the moment that we *don't* get into a conflict with Australia itself...)
So anyone they recruit has to be more than 5 years out then, right?
The increase in pay has to be measured against the increase in cost of living. Compared to the states, almost everything is more expensive in Australia.
really, JC? Like what? I have moved from Texas to Queensland, and the price of most things is comparable... although the cost of housing in some US states (but definitely not all) is cheaper. Weigh that against the superior quality of life, and far better benefits (particularly vacation time) and I would say it might be an idea to come down under. At least the economy is good!
Expect other Countries to do the same as this administration guts our military.
Yes, of course, it's Obama's fault. (Rolling eyes)
Reblogged this on News You May Have Missed and commented:
Well, Stars and Stripes reports Tuesday that Australia wants you even more and is willing to pay for it.