Brigadier General Brendan Mc Guinness General Officer Commanding, Defence Forces Training Center.
Military Service
Brig Gen Mc Guinness has served in the Defense Forces for thirty-nine years. He has operated as a leader, team member and manager throughout his career. Recent appointments include Commander, Joint Task Force and Director of Operations and Plans. Previous appointments include School Commandant, Infantry School and Director of Infantry, Commandant Military College, HSG Comd, KFOR, Officer Commanding the 51st Infantry Group, UNIFIL and OC 7th Infantry Battalion and Cathal Brugha Bks. In these roles he provided leadership and developed teams, drafted and supervised staff work and engaged with military and civilian agencies. During his service he has gained broad experience and knowledge of leadership, followership, administration and logistics and an understanding of strategic and local HR issues in the Defence Forces. He is an enabler for change as the Defense Forces seeks to expand its innovation, diversity and inclusion via external engagement and internal initiatives. Brig Gen McGuinness is active in developing and implementing Coaching and Mentoring approaches as part of DF leadership doctrine and practice.
Overseas Service
During his career Brig Gen Mc Guinness has served abroad with the United Nations (UN), the European Union (EU), NATO PfP and the Organisation for Security & Co operation in Europe (OSCE) in a wide range of military and non-military roles. These appointments involved commanding, collaborating and supervising in both Irish led and multinational environments.
Education
Brig Gen Mc Guinness holds an MSc in Executive Coaching, Smurfit Business School, UCD. He is also a graduate of the Military College with a Master of Arts degree in Management, Leadership and Defence Studies, NUIM. His undergraduate qualification is a Bachelor of Arts degree, NUIG. His secondary education years were spent in St Nathy’s College, Ballaghadeereen as a boarding student.
Personal Details & Interests
Brig Gen McGuinness is married to Dymphna and lives in Dublin. He is the proud father of three young adults. He is chairperson of the Defense Forces basketball club. His interests include cycling, current affairs, sport and reading.
