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  • Naval Reserve

    Hi....

    Just joined, looking for any advice or information on joining the naval reserve.

  • #2
    Welcome and thanks for your interest in the NSR, where in the country are you?

    Comment


    • #3
      Hi Popeye,

      I am living in Midleton just east of Cork City.

      Comment


      • #4
        If you come along to Collins Bks any Tue night at 19.50hrs and report to the main gate. We have a Leading Seaman there in uniform, tell him you want to join the NSR and he will look after you.

        Hope to see you soon.

        Comment


        • #5
          Thanks, Will be there tomorrow night

          Comment


          • #6
            Originally posted by Kierand View Post
            Thanks, Will be there tomorrow night
            I presume he turned up. The NSR seems to doomed to the same doldrum "where the F--- are we " as the pre 2005 Slua Muiri. I remember taking care of them at Camden during summer camp and they were people on a Naval Light diet. It was embarrassing all round trying to infuse salt water into their lives. The odd trip for a chosen one on the "Ships" but other than that an occasional acquired boat assigned to one Company, including the historic ASGARD based at Dun Laoghaire.
            They are still based at selected military barracks without a ship. The whole concept and use of the NSR needs to be re-established to give them full integration, on call-up for ship duties , in all departments. In specialist areas it may need six month fulltime attendance for training and periods at sea. Any more views ???

            Comment


            • #7
              Originally posted by ancientmariner View Post
              I presume he turned up. The NSR seems to doomed to the same doldrum "where the F--- are we " as the pre 2005 Slua Muiri. I remember taking care of them at Camden during summer camp and they were people on a Naval Light diet. It was embarrassing all round trying to infuse salt water into their lives. The odd trip for a chosen one on the "Ships" but other than that an occasional acquired boat assigned to one Company, including the historic ASGARD based at Dun Laoghaire.
              They are still based at selected military barracks without a ship. The whole concept and use of the NSR needs to be re-established to give them full integration, on call-up for ship duties , in all departments. In specialist areas it may need six month fulltime attendance for training and periods at sea. Any more views ???
              I spent 6 happy years in the Slua Muiri in the 1990's. Even managed to do 4 periods on patrol on the ships. When I look back at that time, it was one of the best character building activities that I have ever done. There was great lads in the company and dedicated members of the NS attached as well. I do think looking back that the relatively cheap resource available to the NS could have been better utilised more efficiently though. The limited one or two week training period on board ship each year was great to have but it should have been more if you wanted it.

              Comment


              • #8
                Originally posted by ancientmariner View Post
                I presume he turned up. The NSR seems to doomed to the same doldrum "where the F--- are we " as the pre 2005 Slua Muiri. I remember taking care of them at Camden during summer camp and they were people on a Naval Light diet. It was embarrassing all round trying to infuse salt water into their lives. The odd trip for a chosen one on the "Ships" but other than that an occasional acquired boat assigned to one Company, including the historic ASGARD based at Dun Laoghaire.
                They are still based at selected military barracks without a ship. The whole concept and use of the NSR needs to be re-established to give them full integration, on call-up for ship duties , in all departments. In specialist areas it may need six month fulltime attendance for training and periods at sea. Any more views ???
                It's my understanding that many NSR junior ratings are fairly well integrated into NS vessels on patrol over the year (they definitely have to do patrols to get upgraded).

                AFAIK they have a higher % of strength-v-establishment than the AR

                I do however agree that they should be centralised in Haulbowline.

                Comment


                • #9
                  Originally posted by ibenji View Post
                  I spent 6 happy years in the Slua Muiri in the 1990's. Even managed to do 4 periods on patrol on the ships. When I look back at that time, it was one of the best character building activities that I have ever done. There was great lads in the company and dedicated members of the NS attached as well. I do think looking back that the relatively cheap resource available to the NS could have been better utilised more efficiently though. The limited one or two week training period on board ship each year was great to have but it should have been more if you wanted it.
                  As Dev said, things changed a lot since that was posted in 2008. You mention Camden, that gives away your vintage. I remember the closing ceremony in 1989, and all ASM training in Cork going to Templebreedy after that. There were wilderness years up to recently. Units were left to their own devices. Cork Coy took it upon themselves to acquire an old sailboat, Nancy Bet, An Angling boat painted grey and act as free security at Cork week. Waterford Coy did similar. Limerick Coy headed down the Shannon with their angling boat. The 2 Dublin coys were always available to show a Naval uniform at the boat show in the Point Depot. Over time, with forward thinking folk in NHQ, combined with staff shortages eating in to Patrol days decided to take action. Towards the start of the 2000s it became normal for the now NSR recruit training to be less square bashing, more seamanship. A skill base was built up. In time it was not unusual for everyone up to PO spending their Annual training filling in at some seamans branch position. While not actually covering an appointment. The NS were delighted to have the NSR folk aboard. It meant they could take leave during the summer months again. Unfortunately NSR officers had no role to play aboard ship.
                  They were not, as a rule Officers with either Navigation or Engineering training, so they could not fill appointments, but they were welcomed to shadow an officer at their rank. This was in my opinion the main weakness. Some of the NSR officers decided to tackle this at their own expense, and decided to earn yachtmasters qualifications. This would at least mean they could do basic navigation, if required.
                  Later on, it was normal that some duties in haulbowline were done by NSR. Again giving the NS people a chance to take their weekends off. Most importantly, in recent years the Cork Coy NSR has moved to Haulbowline.

                  But the weakness is marked. NSR do not have the new sea rider to train on. They still use the older petrol engine type. No NSR member is trained in naval gunnery, beyond the rifle and pistol. None are mechs or signallers. Worst of all the term aboard ship is too short, as a result of the limitations of mandays. If a ship is heading on a 3 week patrol with a NSR crew member, it will have to put in after 2 weeks and spend the last week down that crew member, or take on a replacement, for the final week. Not the best use of personnel or ship.

                  Like the rest of the RDF, the NSR needs a clear role. It needs training parallel to the PDF, not amended for reservists. 50% of its manpower should be made up of former NS people from all ranks from A/Sea to Lt.
                  For now, everything hangs on implementation of the CoDF report.

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Well put. My last in Service recommendation was to suggest full integration for Slua Muiri or disband them. Training or call up engagements should match full patrols or an overseas ship deployment. They should train to fill all posts within the ability of the Service and specialist recruitment could take place from MN sources. I know at least one DP Captain who serves when on leave as an Army reservist Corporal.

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      I know a master mariner who serves as a Lt in an artillery unit, and a 3rd engineer who served as a Sgt in the same unit. Reason being ASM/NSR had no use for them, and their skills would undermine that of their unskilled comrades at arms.
                      For now, everything hangs on implementation of the CoDF report.

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Originally posted by na grohmití View Post
                        I know a master mariner who serves as a Lt in an artillery unit, and a 3rd engineer who served as a Sgt in the same unit. Reason being ASM/NSR had no use for them, and their skills would undermine that of their unskilled comrades at arms.
                        Sometimes they get misplaced, because they joined Army Reserve units before they embarked on a seagoing career. Out of loyalty they stay with their unit, however once you achieve a rank it may be possible to transfer inter Corps at the same rank??

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          According to R5, if you transfer from AR to NSR (or from one corps to another I think) you can be dropped a rank.

                          Guy I know going to NMCI transferred from AR as a 3* to ASM as a A/S

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Don't really know for definite. I donated my full set of DFR's when I retired, but I do know Q and A officers from The Army transferred to NS to get a higher rank. We need the same flexibility to encourage MN specialists to join NSR at an appropriate rank.

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Originally posted by DeV View Post
                              According to R5, if you transfer from AR to NSR (or from one corps to another I think) you can be dropped a rank.

                              Guy I know going to NMCI transferred from AR as a 3* to ASM as a A/S
                              3* and A/S are the same .
                              Don't spit in my Bouillabaisse .

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