"Dave Holford"
Must have changed. Back in the days when we had an air force (50s and
60s) it used to be a standing joke that "I was a Canadian in the RCAF".
Incidentally I wasn't a Canadian at that time and neither were a
significant number of my squadron; although I think most of us were
citizens of Commonwealth countries. I did encounter two Irish citizens,
one of whom was rabidly anti-English but he departed the service while
still in pilot training after threatening his instructor with a broken
beer bottle.

Dave:
Reminds me of an incident from the old days of the RCAF in the late
1950's. Our base was having practice parades for a change of command
ceremonial. We had a very keen young English Flying Officer (2nd Lt.) that
was acting as the parade adjutant. It had rained the morning of the parade
and there were a number of puddles on the tarmac.
The CO arrived to take the salute and as was the usual practice the adjutant
stood a few feet from the base commander. He in fact was standing in a
puddle of water. The parade was brought to attention and in the usual keen
British fashion he slammed his foot to the ground. The CO looked down at
his now wet trousers and splashed uniform. Without saying a word he walked
over to the Flying Officer, took him by the hand and led him to a dry spot
on the tarmac and indicated that he should not move from there for the
remainder of the parade. By this time it was too late! The general ranks
had broken into laughter. The mornings parade was called off resulting in
another practice a few days later with a different adjutant.
From the days when we had a real air force!