How to Join?

Joining the RDF is a simple process, however there are a number of important steps to be taken, which may take some time.

• Application
• Security Clearance
• Medical Examination
• Attestation
• The Oath

Application
To apply to join the RDF you must first contact the unit you wish to join.  To see what your nearest unit is, visit the Want to find out more? page in Reserve Section. You must bring four passport photographs, and an original copy of your long form Birth Certificate. There you will be given an application form, which will be completed with the help of a Recruiting Officer. 

Age Limitations
You must be over the age of 17 and under the age of 35 in order to join the RDF.  If you are under the age of 18, you must have the permission of your Parent/Guardian to join the RDF.

Security Clearance
All applicants for enlistment in the RDF are required to complete and sign a Consent Form that, pursuant to Section 8 of the Data Protection Act, 1988, will authorise the Garda Síochana to furnish the Defence Forces either, a statement that there are no convictions recorded against an applicant, or a statement of convictions, as the case may be. In the case of applicants under the age of 18, a Parent/Guardian shall be required to complete the Consent Form.

Medical Examination
Applicants must be in good mental and bodily health, and free from any physical defect, abnormality, physiological condition or past history of serious illness likely to interfere with the efficient performance of their duties. The following are the minimum requirements:

• Height :- The minimum height is 157.48 cm (5' 2") for all applicants. Physical standards and weight must be in keeping with height and age.
• Vision :- Unaided vision of not less that 6/36 in each eye, corrected to 6/6 in one eye, 6/9 in the other eye, and colour vision must be normal. The Ishihara Colour Vision Test must be passed. Where spectacles or contact lenses are necessary, the applicant should be in possession of spectacles/lenses when presenting themselves for medical examination.
• Hearing :- A good standard of unaided hearing is essential. Applicants will be required to undergo an audiometric test at which:
  • the sum of the hearing threshold levels, at low and high frequencies, in each ear must not exceed the age related warning levels contained in the "Guidelines on Hearing Checks and Audiometry" issued by the Health and Safety Authority, and
  • applicants must be able to hear all measured pure tones up to and including 8kHz at 20dB in each ear.
  • Applicants are advised to avoid all sources of loud music and noise for a period of 48 hours prior to this audiometric test as exposure to such noise may adversely effect the results of this test.

Attestation
Once all the required Security and Medical checks have been completed satisfactorily, applicants can be attested into the RDF. This process involves swearing, or declaring an oath, and then signing a copy of the oath. At this stage the applicant is a member of the Reserve Defence Forces, and is issued with an army number and uniform over the next few weeks.

The Oath
Mionnaímse (nó dearbhaímse), <ainm>, go solamanta go mbead dílis d’Eirinn agus tairiseach don Bhunreacht agus, faid a bhead im chomhalta de na hOglaigh Cúltaca, go gcomhlíonfad gach ordú dleathach a bhé arfas m’oifigigh uachtaracha dhom agus nach gceanglód le haon chumann rúnda ar bith ná nach mbead im chomhalta den chéanna ná nach dtaobhód leis an gcéanna.

I, <name>, do solemnly swear (or declare) that I will be faithful to Ireland and loyal to the Constitution and that while I am a member of the Reserve Defence Force I will obey all lawful orders issued to me by my superior officers and will not join or be a member of or subscribe to any secret society whatsoever.

 

 

 

Find out more about the Reserve Defence Forces