Topic: Attachment of American reservists to Canadian units?

[Brihard]

G'day folks, I've searched with no luck.

I work as the recruiter for my unit. Today I got a fascinating call from a guy looking to jon up. He's a dual citizen of Canada and the U.S. He was active duty marines, serving in both Iraq and in Helmand. Now he's up here in his first year at a Canadian university, and wants to join the C.F. The hitch is that he is legally bound to remain in the individual ready reserve for the Marines unless he can produce a document indicating he's being enlisted in an allied military- a document I doubt we could offer him until a decision to enrol him was made... which we probably cannot do as he remains on the rolls of a foreign reserve force. Hilarious Catch-22.

I want this guy if possible, and I'm wondering if anyone is aware of a mechanism or agreement by which American reservists are able to attach to Canadian reserve units? I know it's probably more of a long shot than pursuing a means by which he can discharge from the IRR, but I said I'd investigate any option I can think of.

Has anyone heard even anecdotally of anything like this, or have any wonderful or wacky ideas for options I might pursue?

Much appreciated if anyone can provide enlightenment.

[mariomike]

I want this guy if possible, and I'm wondering if anyone is aware of a mechanism or agreement by which American reservists are able to attach to Canadian reserve units?

"The Canada-US MOU permits selected Reservists, who are temporary residents of either nation and who are qualified in their military occupation, to undertake a Reserve assignment or to participate in training with the other country.":
http://www.cflc.forces.gc.ca/new-sp/bp/2010-04-eng.asp

[Brihard]

"The Canada-US MOU permits selected Reservists, who are temporary residents of either nation and who are qualified in their military occupation, to undertake a Reserve assignment or to participate in training with the other country.":
http://www.cflc.forces.gc.ca/new-sp/bp/2010-04-eng.asp

Thank you! That set me on the right chain of Google searches to end up finding the Canada/US MOU on the VCDS site. Much appreciated.

In case anyone should look up this thread in future with the same question: http://www.vcds-vcemd.forces.gc.ca/dres/tpd-idp/nm-npe/cus-ceu-eng.asp

[Haggis]

Brihard:  PM inbound.

[Haggis]

Just a note to let everyone know that I am the NDHQ Desk Officer for the Primary Reserve Foreign Service Agreements that Canada has in place with the United States, United Kingdom and Australia. In short, any CF Reservist who has reached the Operational Functional Point (i.e. DP1 generally) can apply to be attached to a foreign Reserve unit in these countries for up to three years.  This is fully funded by the parent unit with regards to pay.

It takes approximately 4 months to get all the approvals in place. If anyone else has questions about the process, please PM me for details.