Defence Forces Careers - Naval Service Cadets
Induction
When Naval Service Cadets are recruited, they enter the Naval School, Naval Base, Haulbowline, Co Cork in late September for a two-week period where they are introduced to naval life, both ashore and onboard ship. The Naval Service offers two types of Cadetships; Executive Branch and Engineer Branch Cadetships. A Operations Branch Cadetship lasts 22 months, while the Engineering Branch Cadetship lasts 24 months.
Military Training
The next three months of their cadetship is carried out at The Cadet School, Military College, Defence Forces Training Centre Curragh Camp, Co Kildare. While at The Cadet School, Naval Cadets along with their fellow Army and Air Corps Cadets receive a through grounding in the basic military skills of foot drill, personal weapon handling and physical fitness, all carried out under the strictest military discipline.
Operations Branch Officers
Officers of the Operations Branch of the Naval Service are responsible for the efficient running of the ship. It is only from within this Branch that an Officer may become Captain of a ship. The Operations Branch Officer’s responsibilities include Bridge Watchkeeping, where they are responsible for the safe navigation of the ship and the safety of the ships company along with the weapons and communications systems onboard. Operations Branch Officers also lead boarding teams in fishery protection and anti-drug running boarding operations and are therefore prime leaders and motivators of the ships company.
The Operations Branch Cadet will undergo a course of training of approximately two years duration divided into different stages.
Initial military training takes place in the Cadet School, Military College, DFTC, Curragh Camp for three months duration. Subsequent training takes place in the Naval Base, Haulbowline, Co Cork and onboard ship. This training encompasses both the theory and practical application of the skills required for the officer to take his/her place as a fully functional member of the ships command team. Subjects covered include Navigation, Seamanship, Gunnery, Leadership and Management.
In the second year the Cadet will commence studies at the National Maritime College Ireland (NMCI) in Ringaskiddy Cork for award of a Diploma/Degree in Nautical Science. NMCI is a partnership between the Cork Institute of Technology and the Naval Service.
On successful completion of first year at NMCI, the Cadet is commissioned in the rank of Ensign. After commissioning, training continues both at sea and ashore, until the Officer is fully qualified to take an appointment onboard ship.
Engineering Branch Officers
Officers of the Engineer Branch are responsible for everything which keeps the ship afloat, moving and habitable. This includes the hull and general structures of the ship, its main engines and all auxiliary machinery, the main electrical generators and the electrical distribution system, the air conditioning, ventilation and heating systems and cold rooms as well as all fuel and water systems. It also includes the computer system for communications, navigation and weapon control systems.
The Engineering Branch Cadet will be trained to a level whereby he/she can fill an appointment as a ships Marine Engineering Officer. The Engineering officer is responsible for everything that keeps the ship afloat, moving and habitable. This includes the hull and general structures of the ship, its main engines and all auxiliary machinery, the main electrical generators, the electrical distribution system, the air conditioning, ventilation, heating systems and cold rooms as well as all fuel and water systems. It also includes the computer systems for communications, navigation and weapons control systems.
Engineering Branch Cadets in the Naval Service undergo a course of training of approximately two years duration before being commissioned. The training course of the Cadet and Young Officer is physically and academically demanding and requires total dedication and commitment in order to be successful.
Initial training involves Basic Military and Naval Training at the Cadet School, Military College, DFTC, Curragh Camp and later at the Naval Base, Haulbowline, Co Cork and onboard ship. The initial training is similar too, and shared with, Operations Branch Cadets. In the second year the Cadet will commence studies at the National Maritime College Ireland (NMCI) in Ringaskiddy, Cork for award of a Diploma/Degree in Marine Engineering. NMCI is a partnership between the Cork Institute of Technology and the Naval Service.
After commissioning, training continues both at sea and ashore until the Officer is fully qualified to take up an appointment as a Marine Engineer Officer onboard ship.
Naval Service Life and Further Education
The fully training Junior Officer spends the following two years on sea/shore rotations. When at sea, he/she will be appointed as the Engineer Officer, while shore duties involve training or technical/administrative appointments.
The Naval Service Officer can avail of opportunities of further education as well as participating in professional sub-specialisation courses such as Tactical and Naval Warfare Courses at home and abroad.
The Engineer Officer can avail of opportunities of further education as well as participating in a range of specialist courses applicable to the Marine Engineering profession at home or abroad.
Third Level Education/Undertakings/Fees
Personnel of the Naval Service, other than those who already hold a relevant third level qualification in Nautical Science or Engineering, and who are considered suitable may, subject to the exigencies of the Service and to the requirements of the Defence Forces, be assigned to a course of study leading to a Degree/Diploma at the National Maritime College Ireland, Cork or a course of study leading to a Degree/Diploma at some other Third Level College of Education.
Tuition and examination fees in respect of Cadets/Officers attending college will be met from public funds. Textbooks, instruments, etc, will be made available without charge but will remain the property of the Minister for Defence. During attendance at College, Cadets/Officers will be accommodated in Military Barracks and will be in receipt of normal pay and allowances.
In connection with Third Level Training, personnel will be required to subscribe to an undertaking (or undertakings) that, in the event of them leaving the Defence Forces voluntarily at any time after they have commenced the course and before they have served in the Permanent Defence Force for a minimum number of years reckoned from the date of the completion of their Third Level Training, they will refund the cost of such training to the Minister for Defence including the cost of pay and allowances paid to them during the period of attendance at the course.