foreigners in SF?

[cdn_airborne]

I know I need to be a legal alien to join the US military, but which branches and units would I be restricted to? Would I be allowd to join SF? I already have my wings and I have jumped with american paratroopers. Would I have do US jump school or just do a 1-day refresher (like the Americans do when they get their CDN jump wings here)?

Thanks.

[Jeff Rambo]

Being a foreigner you wouldn't be able to obtain the proper clearance to serve in Special Forces. The topic has been discussed before over on the SEAL forums, a quick search should find it over there.

[Tracy]

Originally posted by cdn_airborne:
...Would I be allowd to join SF?...


Not any more. During the 80s, there were quite a few Canadian enlisted SF; all of whom were encouraged to get their US citizenship. My Intel NCO was a Canuck from Alberta; and the Team Sergeant and I sponsored him.

Foreigners anywhere in the US miltary are a touchy subject right now...

[Sinister Dave]

I have had a shooting acquaintance ask me the same question. I spoke directly with the SF Recruiting Company Commander, 1SG, and two line Recruiters, and they actually showed me the reg. Lodge Act of 1951 permitted it, but the new reg states "US Citizen" for both SF and Ranger (Regiment) options. Service OK in the Ranger Training Brigade.

The SF Recruiter asked if he would consider the XVIIIth Corps LRSD, since as an 11X he wouldn't necessarily need a clearance as a Private through Buck Sergeant.

The guy who wants to enlist is a US Green Card holder (granted political asylum). Former Soviet Spestnaz officer, two tours in Afghanistan. Said September 11th gave him the ass so bad he's been researching how to get into a combat MOS in the US Army, to serve in his adopted country's service.

I was amazed to find out over 70% of those who enlist out of New York City are Green Card holders. You'd think those who were born and raised here would stand up to be counted first. Ain't so.

Doesn't hurt that honorable military service also speeds up citizenship from 5 years to three.

[samurai george]

(ret.) MSG.Mizuho Bobroskie
is a Japanese-American and life member of the Special Forces Association/D-442.
He had served with 1st SFG, MACV-SOG and 10th SFG.

He was born in Okinawa, Japan.
His parents were Japanese Nationals but his mother got married again to an American soldier named Bobroskie, and then he acquired US citizenship in early 50's.

He enlisted in the US Army and was assigned to Special Forces in early 60's.

MSG. Bobroskie, 3 years Vietnam veteran, had fought with Robert Howard who is a recipient of the MOH, in the central highland of South Vietnam.

In 1980, he retired from active service at the age of 42.

He was born as a Japanese, and then served 21 years in the US Army as an American.
In Japan, he is known as one of the most famous Japanese-Americans.
(Other famous Japanese-Americans are Senator Daniel Inouye and Wade Ishimoto)

<pictures I found on the net> http://www.bestofusamkt.com/events/toys.html
http://teamhouse.tni.net/jjson.html

[samurai george]

Sorry. His number was D-446.


Mr. Bobroskie with George Tenet, DCI. http://webclub.kcom.ne.jp/ma/kat5u/mishimanet/etc/mizcial.jpg

Central highland of South Vietnam http://webclub.kcom.ne.jp/ma/kat5u/mishimanet/etc/mizuho_nam1l.jpg

[Jatekos]

Back in the early days at Toelz formations were mostly in a non-English language. I think it was a mistake placing the US Only requirement into effect.

[Daredevil]

During WW II and the Vietnam war there was a program set up for Canadians where they could become citizens if they enlisted and served in the US Armed Forces. During the Vietnam War about 30,000 Candians did so. That program no longer exists though.

[Tuukka]

There were many Finns who left Finland in the fear of reprisals for wartime actions or such, they moved mainly to the US and enlisted in the US Army. Their winter warfare skills were needed and many found their way into the Army Special Forces.

I think the name most will know of that group is Larry A Thorne, a recipient of the Mannerheim Cross(Finnish equivalent to the MOH) and also received many US awards, MIA during a SOG mission in Vietnam.

[samurai george]

Sgt. Bobroskie had a long talk with Wade Ishimoto about Special Forces and their operations.

It was printed in the March issue of Japanese magazine.

Their conversation was quite interesting.

[samurai george]

(Ret.) Captain Wade Ishimoto, US Army

Ex-Special Forces NCO. Served with Detachment B-57 (Project Gamma) in Vietnam. He is one of the founding members of SFOD-D.

There were descriptions about him in Col. Charlie Beckwith's book.

[samurai george]

Daniel Inouye is a recipient of the Medal of Honor.

He is a WW2 veteran who fought with legendary US Army 442nd Regimental Combat Team, which has been recognized as the most decorated unit in United States history.

18,000 total awards were bestowed upon 442nd, including 9,500 Purple Hearts, 52 DSCs, 7 Distinguished Unit Citations and 2 MOHs.

[Huey One Four]

I remember someone around here saying they had a Ruskie CO or Company leader or something, back in the 80s or something. How did a Russian manage to get into SF DURING the Cold War?

Cheers

RH

[Silent_warrior]

Originally posted by Tuukka
There were many Finns who left Finland in the fear of reprisals for wartime actions or such, they moved mainly to the US and enlisted in the US Army. Their winter warfare skills were needed and many found their way into the Army Special Forces.

I think the name most will know of that group is Larry A Thorne, a recipient of the Mannerheim Cross(Finnish equivalent to the MOH) and also received many US awards, MIA during a SOG mission in Vietnam.

I read that Larry A Thorne remains were found not that long ago in Vietnam, now KIA. The report said that he and other soldiers were killed in helicopter crash.

I am not 100% sure but I read that he was found.

[cmr]

Does the name Ivanov ring a bell with any of you?

Ukraine born fella. 7th grp. I never heard him speak Spanish. that might have been a treat considering his english and that accent of his. :)

[Doc]

Originally posted by cmr
Does the name Ivanov ring a bell with any of you?

Ukraine born fella. 7th grp. I never heard him speak Spanish. that might have been a treat considering his english and that accent of his. :)

Yes I remember him. He's still driving his VW Bug around town.

[Terry Jones]

IIRC Larry Thorne died in the KAL 007 shootdown in the 80s.....

[brewmonkey]

Originally posted by samurai george
Daniel Inouye is a recipient of the Medal of Honor.

He is a WW2 veteran who fought with legendary US Army 442nd Regimental Combat Team, which has been recognized as the most decorated unit in United States history.

18,000 total awards were bestowed upon 442nd, including 9,500 Purple Hearts, 52 DSCs, 7 Distinguished Unit Citations and 2 MOHs.

Dont forget that he has also served his country as a State Rep. 1959-1962 and as a Senator from Hawaii from 1962 till today.

[Tuukka]

Originally posted by Terry Jones
IIRC Larry Thorne died in the KAL 007 shootdown in the 80s.....

Larry A Thorne, known to us Finns as Lauri Allan Törni died when the helicopter he was in crashed during a SOG mission in 1965.



Silent Warrior, yes they found a helicopter crash site and the human remains found are in DNA testing.

[Aqaba]

Originally posted by Terry Jones
IIRC Larry Thorne died in the KAL 007 shootdown in the 80s.....



I think you're thinking of Congressman Larry McDonald.

[ODA 564]

CSM Ivanov, COL Sobichevisky and other 'Warsaw Pact' SF soldiers became US citizens (as didn my company's 1SG in 6th Psyop, SFC Peter Kiss (sp) - a Hungarian.

When you become a US citizen, you ain't a foreigner anymore.

D 6749!

[Razor]

If MSG Bobroskie's SFA # had beeen D-442, that would be one really neat irony, when one considers the makeup and legacy of the 442d Infantry Regiment from WWII.

[RangerRuss]

Originally posted by cmr
Does the name Ivanov ring a bell with any of you?

I'd like to ring his bell... Everybody thinks the term "Crazy Ivan" came out of the first Tom Clancy novel "Hunt For Red October." It really came from CSM Ivanov... Well deserved, too!