General Questions

Cadet - on qualification these individuals become Officers of the Defence Forces.

Apprentice/Technical Trainee - on qualification these individuals are tradespersons who are deployed in the various technical Corps of the Defence Forces.

General Service - on qualification these individuals serve as Soldiers, Sailors or Airmen and Airwomen.

Cadetships for the Army, Navy and Air Corps are advertised between February and April each year. Applicants will progress through each stage of the induction process and Army and Air Corps Cadets can expect to commence Cadet Training in October of each year. Naval Service Cadets commence their training around two weeks earlier. They do naval familiarisation prior to joining their Army and Air Corps colleagues.

One of the key things about life in the Defence Forces is that your job will vary. You'll be doing many different things and learning many new skills.

Everyday life differs depending on whether you are in the Army, Naval Service or Air Corps and the specific role that you undertake. There are however, common elements that characterise life across all three Services: 

Training – you will be trained to carry out your role to the highest standards and we train consistently to maintain those standards. Training also includes physical fitness and we encourage our members to maintain high levels of personal fitness.     

Duties – you may have logistical, maintenance or security tasks to complete.

Preparation for Deployment – whether you are going overseas with the Army, on an operation with the Air Corps, or to sea with the Naval Service, you will prepare extensively for each deployment.      

Camaraderie and friendship – Our soldiers, sailors and aircrew develop strong bonds and rely on each other. These bonds are often created in Recruit/Cadet Training. Social events, sporting events and gatherings strengthen that cohesive bond.       

Work/life balance – while your initial training may be demanding and keep you from home for a few weeks at a time, once you are trained, you will have a good work life balance and we ensure that there is sufficient time of for home and family.

Overall, the culture across the Defence Forces emphasises respect, friendship and discipline, as well as a commitment to service. Personnel are trained to work in different situations, but to collaborate and be great teammates.

Yes. A person who was formerly enlisted in the Permanent Defence Force can re-join if they served the full term of their original enlistment or they “discharged by purchase”. The Minister for Defence determines if your skills/expertise will address a deficiency, within the Defence Forces and has the final decision regarding who is permitted to re-join.

If you are playing top-level sports of any kind, the Defence Forces will ensure, where possible, you get the opportunity to compete. There are a number of athletes in the Defence Forces who compete at national and international level, as well as fulfilling their regular duties. This may be more challenging if the requirements of an individual’s unit are high (for example, when training for overseas deployment or when deploying to sea on a Naval Ship). We are proud of our sports people and will give you every opportunity to succeed.

All members of the Defence Forces, may serve up to 62 years of age.

For those enlisted in as a General Service Recruit, your initial contract is for a period of five (5) years. If you wish to leave the Defence Forces prior to completion of your initial contract you may “discharge by purchase”, depending on your contractual obligations. Once you have completed Recruit Training this is a sum of €300 – if you apply for a technical/specialist grade during your initial contract (5 years), this amount will increase.

For Cadetships, individuals may have to serve an undertaking upon completing third level education, full details of this undertaking can be found in the relevant competition Terms and Conditions.

For those joining under a Technician Schemes, you may have to serve an undertaking upon completion of third level education and full details can be found in the relevant competition Terms and Conditions.

Please note that periods of service are dependent on certain contractual obligations.

Please click the link or scan the QR Code below and scroll down to Defence Forces Pay Scales.

Defence Forces Rates of Pay

For General Service Recruits select and download “Approved Enlisted Pay Scales – 01 August 2025”.For Cadets select and download “Approved Officer Class ‘A’ Pay Scales”.The above are based on pay scales from 01 August 2025 and may be updated through the QR Code link above.

Annual Leave entitlements are outlined below by rank:

* With the exception of Naval Service personnel serving afloat and Instrumentalists in Defence Forces School of Music, enlisted personnel receive 1 additional annual leave day after 5 years’ service, and a further 1 additional annual leave day after 12 years’ service.

All members of the Defence Forces are also allocated a number of additional day’s leave known as Defence Forces Holidays, as well as the standard allocation of Public Bank Holidays.

Officer & Cadet Rank Markings for the Army, Navy and Air Corps are available at the link or QR Code below.

Officer and Cadet Rank Marking

Enlisted & Recruit Rank Markings for the Army, Navy and Air Corps are available at the link or QR Code below.

Enlisted and Recruit Rank Markings

There are number of significant benefits to joining the Defence Forces. These include:

• Pension
• Free Gym and PT access
• Free Medical, Dental and Semi-Private Hospital Care
• Free Physiotherapy & Pharmacy
• Overseas: Peacekeeping/ Humanitarian
• Great Pay on completion of Training (over €40,000 per annum)
• Third Level Education Opportunities
• Technical/Trade Opportunities
• Free Counselling/Wellbeing support

Further information is available at the link or QR Code below.

Lifestyle and Benefits Package

Personnel of all ranks in the Permanent Defence Forces, on successful completion of initial training, may apply to undergo the Ranger Wing Selection Course.

No, only members of the Permanent Defence Forces are eligible to apply for the Ranger Wing.

Overseas Service is deemed mandatory for all personnel in the Defence Forces, except Naval Service personnel who are required to deploy to sea. Naval Service personnel may be required to deploy overseas based on operational requirements.

Overseas:

In 1958 the Defence Forces made its first contribution to peacekeeping when they deployed with the United Nations. Since then the Defence Forces has held a proud tradition of deployment overseas in support of countries in turmoil.

An Overseas deployment is the culmination of rigorous training and a real opportunity to, not only put your skills to the test, but also to hone them and develop as both a person and a professional. It is an opportunity to gain an appreciation for the harsh realities of life for the local population and to gain a sense of fulfilment when your work helps them.

For more information about overseas service, please see the link below:

Deployment Overseas

Maritime Operations:

Likewise, deployment to sea on a Naval Ship, is the culmination of your training and is an opportunity to put you skills to the test conducting Maritime Defence and Security Operations in challenging Atlantic conditions. You will learn from your colleagues, develop as a mariner and make friends for life.

For more information about Naval Operations, please see the link below:

Maritime Operations

Air Operations:

Air deployments, will challenge your skills because it is imperative that the team who prepare an aircraft for deployment work collaboratively. Air missions can be challenging due to the Irish weather. The nature of these missions is varied:

• Maritime Defence and Security Operations in conjunction with the Naval Service
• Fishery Protection
• Emergency Aeromedical Service etc.

For more information about Air Corps Operations, please see the link below:

Air Corps Operations