Foo - Dual citizenship, France/America, could I be drafted?

Well my father was born and raised in France, and we just discovered that I either already am, or am eligible to become, a French citizen.
I am not living in France, does this mean I could be drafted to the French army?

um...I wouldn't worry about it too hard...

The French Army :lol: :roflmao:

does this mean I could be drafted to the French army?
dunno, but look on the bright side. Even if you were, you wouldn't have to do anything. :)

At the risk of moving this to P&R...

Twentieth century history would suggest that the Germans will overrun France, and then at some point, the Americans will bail them out. So French citizenship or not, you'll be drafted anyway. So don't worry about it. :)

Might want to pack yourself some good running shoes just in case.

Might want to pack yourself some good running shoes just in case.

:roflmao:

Look, it's the French "Army"!

http://akvalley.com/history/forts/jcb/french3.jpg

You have to be a French citizen to be drafted. You also have to be in France and enter w/ a French passport and be of draft age. Then you could be drafted, but you probably wouldn't.

Of course if they drafted him, maybe he could build the French some kind of super laser CNC killing machine.

You probably don't ride that fast, I wouldn't worry about anyone drafting you.

You probably don't ride that fast, I wouldn't worry about anyone drafting you.

:lol:

France has an army?

:)

At least the French Army has guns, the Canadian military is still trying to figure out where to get them.

At least the French Army has guns, the Canadian military is still trying to figure out where to get them.
There's this street corner in a bad part of Halifax...

There's this street corner in a bad part of Halifax...

Oh, word?

I'll mail that to the commander, right away. :)

Y'all are cracking me up with your witty jokes. Really, you're killin' me. ha ha ha

You'll want to check carefully. My husband had to fill out some form certifying that he lived in the US, not France. Check with the French Consulate in your region. I've found them to be quite helpful here in DC.

Dual citizenship has opened alot of doors for me. Not only can I travel to and work in France with no hassles, but all of the EU, too. With the political situation as it is in the US, I don't go blabbing too much about the dual citizenship thing. Best to keep it under wraps, what with unwarranted surveillance and the general intolerance of foreigners.

The French are actually some of the more militarized folks around. They used to drop atomic bombs on bits of paradise islands just for fun, it would seem. The less said about their actions in Africa the better.

Just because they opposed our most recent war, we shouldn't assume they are any less likely to be armed. Anyone remember Napoleon? There was a peace loving hippy for you.

Holy moly, my fellow Americans.... why all the French Army hating?

Did you only learn 20th Century American History, or did your teachers bother to cover the American Revolution of the 18th Century? You know, the one where Sam Adams and his buddies dumped some tea into Cape Cod and then started brewing their own beer and the John Hancock invented that groovy signature on the Declaration of Constitutionality or whatever?

Who the heck do you think bailed out the nascent American militia? Yeah, it was none other than that wimpy cheese and wine sipping crowd from France. Lafayette ain't the name of a city in virtually every American state for no reason, right?

WWI and WWII were a nice way to repay the favor, don't you think?

A friend of mine faced a similar situation re Italy. He actually was an Italian citizen, however. Eventually gave it up rather than do his military service.

I think as long as you don't apply for French citizenship (which I understand is a royal pain), you're not going to get drafted.

As for Francophobia, let's see - the quasi war of 1787-1790 when the French navy and privateers caused the loss of 300 US ships and the XYZ affair certainly showed that the earlier French support during the revolution had nothing to do with affection for the US and everything to do with France's narrow self interest. France's refusal to divest itself of it's colonies without humiliating military defeats led directly to infusing SE Asia with cold war politics and by extension US involvement in Vietnam. No need to discuss French behavior during WWII or the disruptive influence of Degaulism (sp?).

Yeah, any debt to France is long since paid.

My 5 year old son has Polish and US passports. If he enters Poland at age 18. using his Polish Passport, he could be conscripted (mandatory one year service there for males). Unlikely though - since he doesnt speak a word of Polish.

PC2 I would worry more about what would happen if the US drafted you. Your dual citizenship would come out and any chance of a high level security clearance could be fried. Front line combat for you. :(

Anyway some obscure technicalities indicate the New Hampshire never legally became a State. If Quebec ever splits from the rest of Canada you may end up serving there :D . They have a nice bike trail.

Anyone remember Napoleon?

Dynamite? Yeah, that was a pretty funny movie! :)

I think as long as you don't apply for French citizenship (which I understand is a royal pain), you're not going to get drafted.

I don't know about the drafting part; the OP should look into it somewhere other than BF. When I applied for citizenship it was not a royal pain at all. It was quite uneventful. Probably about the same as applying for US citizenship, but I don't know what that all entails.

I don't get all the Francophobia. Is it new since the oh-so-successful current unpleasantness in Babylon? What ever happened to the whole American in Paris phenomenon? Puzzling, really. If you don't like France, don't go. I'm sure the French won't miss you.

If you carry a citizenship for any country that means that you should be willing to serve that country should they call for. I find it both sad and pathetic that people would attempt to shirk serving their country(s) and yet wish to maintain their citizenship in their country(s).

You're too young to worry about it right now anyway.

You never know, the french could start recruiting 15 year olds or whatever. :rolleyes:

If you carry a citizenship for any country that means that you should be willing to serve that country should they call for. I find it both sad and pathetic that people would attempt to shirk serving their country(s) and yet wish to maintain their citizenship in their country(s).


If you are born in the US of a Polish, (or Hunganian, or Chech or latvian ......) Mother, that Country automatically considers you their own whether you like it or not.

the earlier French support during the revolution had nothing to do with affection for the US and everything to do with France's narrow self interest.



I tend to agree. I believe the main reason the French (LaFayette & co) 'supported' American independence was to undermine the British empire. It was totally motivated by self-interest.

As for drafting, French military service no longer exists. They decided to ditch that system in the 1990's.

Well my father was born and raised in France, and we just discovered that I either already am, or am eligible to become, a French citizen.
I am not living in France, does this mean I could be drafted to the French army?

Here is a feedback from a French citizen who went through the French military (when it was still mandatory for all young French men from the age of 17):

First about you nationality: I am assuming that one of your parents is a French citizen and that entitles you to French citizenship while at present you are an American citizen. You will acquire citizenship if that is your wish, you will also have the option not to. Neither country recognizes other's citizenship in the case of dual nationality, this essentially for security reasons. Each country actually advises on giving up the first nationality when acquiring the second one, but cannot enforce this and not many people do it.

Military: there is a census process that happens for all French men at the age of 17 and I am assuming this happens also when anyone acquires French citizenship and is in age to qualify for the military (I think it is 37 but not entirely sure).

To answer your question, is there a risk of being drafted in the military once you get your French citizenship? Answer is yes. How great is this risk, answer is low mainly because of a) risks of conflicts are currently relatively low even despite the instability in the Middle East b) Since the French military is essentially made of career soldiers and officers, you will be very far down on the list of "reservistes" (draftees). There are also special conditions that you may qualify for to be exempted if this ever happens.

It's a personal choice and you can also look at it as an opportunity to be able to travel freely for extended times between the US and the EU and working there.

Talk to someone at the French consulate in your area.

Read this from the French Consulate in Boston's web site: http://www.ambafrance-us.org/fr/partirusa/servicemilitaire.asp

Holy moly, my fellow Americans.... why all the French Army hating?

Did you only learn 20th Century American History, or did your teachers bother to cover the American Revolution of the 18th Century? You know, the one where Sam Adams and his buddies dumped some tea into Cape Cod and then started brewing their own beer and the John Hancock invented that groovy signature on the Declaration of Constitutionality or whatever?

Who the heck do you think bailed out the nascent American militia? Yeah, it was none other than that wimpy cheese and wine sipping crowd from France. Lafayette ain't the name of a city in virtually every American state for no reason, right?

WWI and WWII were a nice way to repay the favor, don't you think?


Yes mr. president!

Holy moly, my fellow Americans.... why all the French Army hating?

Did you only learn 20th Century American History, or did your teachers bother to cover the American Revolution of the 18th Century? ...

At the risk of getting this thread P&R, I agree with you that young (and many older sadly) need a serious update on their knowledge on the subject.

Read carefully, it doesn't say Tony Blair on the first line!

Here is for a start: Cooperation that counts (http://www.ambafrance-us.org/news/statmnts/2005/cooperation_franceus05.asp)

"After the tragedy of September 11, President Chirac was the first head of State to come to America after 9/11, on the 18th and 19th of September. France supported Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan (some 5,500 French soldiers were deployed to the region).

France is the only country, alongside the United States, to have sent bombers to Afghanistan, from Kyrgyzstan and the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle. French forces provide logistical support to the Afghan theater, transporting coalition troops and equipment with the assistance of French detachments stationed in Uzbekistan, and resupplying U.S. warships and U.S. Navy fighter planes."

It amazes me how much impact the Rumsfeld's rethoric has had on this country, even to people who claim despising him and the current admin policies.

The OP is asking for an advice on a major decision that may affect his future and all he gets is relentless xenophobia. Didn't it strike you by his question that is mom or dad could be French? duhhh!

Like I think I mentioned, my father was born and raised in France. He moved here when he was 25, he also has recently aquired American citizenship.

Like I think I mentioned, my father was born and raised in France. He moved here when he was 25, he also has recently aquired American citizenship.

Pour moi, il n'y a que des avantages d'etre citoyenne de la France et des Etats-Unis. J'ai meme appris La Marseillaise (tout, quoi!) en pensant qu'il serait obligatoire de la savoir. C'est tres utile avant des matches de foot.

Mes entretiens au Consulat etaient en francais. Si tu ne parles pas francais, il serait une bonne idee de commencer tout de suite. Ton pere peut t'aider, sans doute.

Bonne et belle chance.

A+

Pour moi, il n'y a que des avantages d'etre citoyenne de la France et des Etats-Unis. J'ai meme appris La Marseillaise (tout, quoi!) en pensant qu'il serait obligatoire de la savoir. C'est tres utile avant des matches de foot.

Mes entretiens au Consulat etaient en francais. Si tu ne parles pas francais, il serait une bonne idee de commencer tout de suite. Ton pere peut t'aider, sans doute.

Bonne et belle chance.

A+

Ummm, I think you need to use spell check. Every single one of those words was spelled wrong :p

Ummm, I think you need to use spell check. Every single one of those words was spelled wrong :p

Il y a sans doute des mots mal ecrits, car le francais n'est pas ma langue maternelle et je ne comprends pas comment mettre des accents avec cet ordinateur-ci. Mais ca marche tres bien pour arreter ces commentaires folles, n'est-ce pas?

Haha, I'm sure your French is fine. (Most of the words worked in the translator I used) I was implying that you had intended to write in English, and had misspelled everything.

Haha, I'm sure your French is fine. (Most of the words worked in the translator I used) I was implying that you had intended to write in English, and had misspelled everything.

;)

ok. I must really be behind in the news, Is France going to war? and with who?

ok. I must really be behind in the news, Is France going to war? and with who?

With Ireland, didn't you hear? ---> Irish declare war on France (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=176259) :)

Pour moi, il n'y a que des avantages d'etre citoyenne de la France et des Etats-Unis. J'ai meme appris La Marseillaise (tout, quoi!) en pensant qu'il serait obligatoire de la savoir. C'est tres utile avant des matches de foot.

Mes entretiens au Consulat etaient en francais. Si tu ne parles pas francais, il serait une bonne idee de commencer tout de suite. Ton pere peut t'aider, sans doute.

Bonne et belle chance.

A+

They do have the best national anthem going around. Probably followed by the South African anthem.

Good food too.

edit: Je ne parle par francaise!

If you carry a citizenship for any country that means that you should be willing to serve that country should they call for. I find it both sad and pathetic that people would attempt to shirk serving their country(s) and yet wish to maintain their citizenship in their country(s).

Real service in the defense of one's country is one thing, exploitation for the unconstitutional or treasonous whims of "leadership" is another thing entirely........and it isnt just the US. I think you will find, if a REAL war ever happens, there will be no shortage of volunteers or guns LOL.

The Francophobia is a result of France not supporting the US in a war that most of the US no longer supports.


I don't know about the drafting part; the OP should look into it somewhere other than BF. When I applied for citizenship it was not a royal pain at all. It was quite uneventful. Probably about the same as applying for US citizenship, but I don't know what that all entails.

I don't get all the Francophobia. Is it new since the oh-so-successful current unpleasantness in Babylon? What ever happened to the whole American in Paris phenomenon? Puzzling, really. If you don't like France, don't go. I'm sure the French won't miss you.

If you're a US citizen, living in the United States, I'd be much more concerned with being drafted by the United STates Army. Furthermore, only hypothetically speaking, if you were drafted by the French army, (which I don't believe possible) you could always renounce your Frence citizenship, especially if you didn't even know you had it, didn't want it anyway, and only potentially have it derivitively because of your father's birth.

At the risk of getting this thread P&R, I agree with you that young (and many older sadly) need a serious update on their knowledge on the subject.

Read carefully, it doesn't say Tony Blair on the first line!

Here is for a start: Cooperation that counts (http://www.ambafrance-us.org/news/statmnts/2005/cooperation_franceus05.asp)

"After the tragedy of September 11, President Chirac was the first head of State to come to America after 9/11, on the 18th and 19th of September. France supported Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan (some 5,500 French soldiers were deployed to the region).

France is the only country, alongside the United States, to have sent bombers to Afghanistan, from Kyrgyzstan and the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle. French forces provide logistical support to the Afghan theater, transporting coalition troops and equipment with the assistance of French detachments stationed in Uzbekistan, and resupplying U.S. warships and U.S. Navy fighter planes."

It amazes me how much impact the Rumsfeld's rethoric has had on this country, even to people who claim despising him and the current admin policies.

The OP is asking for an advice on a major decision that may affect his future and all he gets is relentless xenophobia. Didn't it strike you by his question that is mom or dad could be French? duhhh!


Cycliste,

If I may share my opinion:

My mother is French. I live in france and have been educated mostly here though I wasn't born here.
I work with French people, read French newspapers, watch French TV, etc.
I can tell you that, sadly, there is a strong anti-American sentiment in France, but also in other European countries.

The current French prime minister is openly anti-american. He hates what he calls the 'anglo-saxon' economic and social system.

Another example: the French serve in bars what they call a ' sandwich américain' (a type of sandwich obviously). Not so long ago, a man in a bar ordered one of these sandwiches, but he didn't ask for 'sandwich américain', he asked for 'un onze septembre' meaning a 'september the eleventh'. This guy was making fun of 9/11. I can tell you that made me feel sick.

Another example: shortly after 9/11, some french people openly said on TV they were pleased about the terrorist attacks, because 'for once the US has taken a hit on its own soil'.

Another example: On french tv, sometime last year during the tour de france i believe, a young spectator was asked why french people didn't like Lance Armstrong. His reply : 'well, he's Amercian, isn't he'.

Another example: after hurrricane Katrina, a local newspaper ran this title: 'the American nightmare' (as opposed to the american dream, obviously). These people were rejoicing at a disaster.

Let me put it this way: if I had to recount every example of anti-american sentiment I have come accross, well i'd have to write a book.

Now, I think it's good that the french have troops in Afghanistan. I'm not saying all the french are 100% anti-US, but many are. One of the reasons I believe is because they are easily swayed by the media. Jealously is also a factor, in my opinion.

As for Tony Blair, i don't agree with all his policies, but he does recognize that the european media is too anti-US.

This may be a cliche, but i happen to think it's true: every nation has made mistakes. But, where would the world be if it weren't for the US? America helped defeat the nazis and protect the free world from the communists. Don't we europeans owe them some gratitude? what about all those troops that died on the beaches in Normandy? the typical french answer: well america only acts in its interest. Doesn't france?

Well, I'm getting a bit carried away perhaps, but i feel quite strongly about this.

God bless America! that's my final word on the subject

Well, if it's any consolation most people don't like the French much either.