Multilingual Careers Information
The Defence Forces
The Defence Forces of Ireland (Óglaigh na hÉireann) is made up of the Permanent Defence Forces (PDF) and the Reserve
Defence Forces (RDF). The PDF is divided into three sections, Army, Naval Service and Air Corps and has strength of 10,500
personnel. The RDF has strength of over 14,000 and is divided into the Army Reserve and the Naval Reserve. The mission
of the Defence Forces is to contribute to the security of the State by providing for the military defence of its territorial
integrity and to fulfill all roles assigned to it by Government. These roles include aid to the civil power, participation in
multinational peace support operations and fishery protection.
The Army
The Army consists of three Brigades, the Southern, Western, Eastern Brigades and the Defence Forces Training Centre in the Curragh Co. Kildare. The Defence Forces Headquarters is based in Dublin. Over the past few years the Army has reequipped and modernised to meet the challenge of fulfilling the roles assigned to it by the Government. There is a wide range of careers available within the Corps of the Army, which includes Infantry, Artillery, Cavalry, Engineers, Communication and Information Services, Military Police, Transport, and Medical. An officers career path will include a mixture of unit work, training courses, overseas service and promotion to higher ranks.
The Air Corps
The Air Corps is based in Casement Aerodrome in Baldonnel, Co. Dublin. It consists of headquarters, 2 operational wings, and 2 support wings with a training college and Communications and Information Squadron. Its duties include fishery protection, ministerial air transport, and air ambulance. Within the Air Corps there are careers as Air Traffic Controllers, aeronautical engineers, pilots, aerial photographers, and aircraft technicians. The Air Corps carry out an average of 230 maritime surveillance flights and 90 air ambulance missions each year.
The Naval Service
The Naval Service is based at the Naval Base, Haulbowline, Co. Cork. The Service has a flotilla of eight off-shore patrol vessels. The vessels take part in international missions while fulfilling their responsibilities at home. The Naval Service is also responsible for a vast area of sea extending 200 miles from Ireland’s coast and covering over 10,000 square miles. Within this area the Naval Service carries out fishery protection, pollution control, search and rescue and drug interdiction. On average the Naval Service conducts over 1700 boarding’s of sea vessels each year.
Graduate & School Leaver Opportunities
There are a variety of opportunities for graduates and School Leavers within the Defence Forces. Each January the Defence Forces advertises the cadet competition in the National Newspapers and on web-based recruitment sites. Cadet intake commences in October and 15 months of training ensues before the cadets are commissioned as officers in the Defence Forces. There are separate competitions for the different services of the Defence Forces, Army, Naval Service, and Air Corps.
Training and Development
Training for all Cadets takes place at the Cadet School in the Military College. This training is to develop character, leadership skills and a sense of duty. In order to get the most out of the training the cadet must have mental acuity, self- discipline and physical agility. The training involves weapons handling, arms and foot drill, communication skills, military law, psychology, human resource management, leadership, politics, and economics. Once the basic military training is completed the Naval Service and Air Corps cadets join their units for completion of their training.
Direct Entry
The Defence Forces operates a direct entry scheme for graduates to join the Defence Forces, in order to fill specialist vacancies. Common direct entrants would be doctors, engineers, and dentists. Successful candidates can be inducted after completing basic military training. All three services of the Permanent Defence Forces, Army, Naval Service and Air Corps avail of this scheme to fill specific vacancies as required. Application and Selection (Cadetships, to become Officers) Applicants will be called for an interview in March of the year of application. Those who pass the screening interview will then undergo psychometric testing and a physical fitness test. Following the above tests those selected for final assessment will attend a competency-based interview in Dublin (Cork for Naval Service). In this interview the applicant has the opportunity to show their qualities that would make them a good officer. Applicants should be able to give examples of these qualities from their life experiences, hobbies, and school. In August of the competition year the Minister for Defence offers the cadetship to the suitable applicants, who meet the educational requirements. (This is subject to successful completion of the pre-enlistment medical examination.) The Defence Forces offers a career with the opportunity of promotion and to travel, in an exciting and challenging role. It really is a life less ordinary.