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What should RDF be used for?

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  • What should RDF be used for?

    Reading through various threads and getting different perspectives in the Chat room, it seems that people have different ideas on what the RDF should be used for.

    As it is unlikely that Ireland will be going to war any time soon, what do people think is an appropriate role for the RDF?

    What extra missions, if any, could or should be included for the RDF? Are things best left alone?

    Your opinions please!!
    No-one, I think, is in my tree...

  • #2
    Definitely remain as it is( or as it will be in the reorg), unless the security situation dictates the maintenance of a full strength warfighting force in which case the best RDF personnel should be integrated into reinforced PDF infantry and combat support units, with the remainder concentrated into one or two infantry or LSBns to take over ATCP security missions or/and retrained to meet our major logs shortfall.
    For anything else we already have the CD.
    "It is a general popular error to imagine that loudest complainers for the public to be the most anxious for it's welfare" Edmund Burke

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    • #3
      Well as everyone knows we are and will remain useless until such time as new legislation is brought in to protect our jobs.

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      • #4
        Is this likely anytime in the near future? In the US there is a very comprehensive law called the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) which affords great protection to Reserve Component soldiers. There is also a national org with a chapter in every state of Employer Support of Guard and Reserve (ESGR).

        Check out their website and the appropriate links to the fed law.
        Could anything like this enacted in Ireland?



        Later.
        No-one, I think, is in my tree...

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        • #5
          I'm sure something like it could be put in place, provided the political will is there.
          "The dolphins were monkeys that didn't like the land, walked back to the water, went back from the sand."

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          • #6
            Aw Come on!! The Employers Unions would have a field day!! Imagine the Concessions the Govt. would have to give to get an act like that passed through, Yes it is the way things should go but no one in Govt has the Will to do it!!

            Friends Come and Go, but Enemies accumulate!!

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            • #7
              It's the way things will have to go. The army is, at present, lacking PDF personnel with certain specialist skills. If it wants to send personnel with those skills abroad, and there's not enough PDF available, then it will have to send reservists. But no-one in their right mind will leave secure employment unless their job is protected. So the army will either have to do more to recruit & retain those PDF specialists in question, or sort out the employment issue.

              If enough of an incentive is offered to employers (tax breaks have been mentioned) they shouldn't have too much of a problem with it. The numbers of reservists actually going at any one time wouldn't be huge, so it's not as if their absence would have a big impact on the economy.

              I would see the 'new' RDF becomming a reasonably well-equipped, well-trained force. The force as a whole will be capable of carrying out security operations at home, while the integrated units will provide an adequate reserve for the PDF. The RDF will also continue to provide the nation's youth with a healthy outlet for patriotic feeling, offering an alternative to subversive groups.
              "The dolphins were monkeys that didn't like the land, walked back to the water, went back from the sand."

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              • #8
                The impact of reservists going overseas would not have a big impact on the economy as a whole, nor even a large impact on some of the larger employers. However, it would have an impact on the vast majority of employers in the private sector, namely the small and medium sized enterprises who allready have problems with key people going on maternity, paternity or leaves of absence.

                The problem is that we do not have a military culture in this country (in many ways that is a good thing). This is represented by in large by the ignorance of the vast majority of the general public on anything to do with the defence forces, and an almost complete ignorance over the reserve forces. It is also manifests itself in a lack of confidence in the military's abilities and a certain lack of understanding for the need to spend money on the military. Unless you can change that mindset there will not be significant concessions made to people who provide military service.

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                • #9
                  The Following can be found in the Senior Fire Officers Manual:

                  4.2.6.10 Voluntary Agencies and Second-Line Reserves

                  Ireland is characterised by a strong level of participation by the
                  Voluntary Sector in the provision of services. Agencies, such as
                  the Civil Defence, the Red Cross, the St. John's Ambulance
                  Brigade and the Order of Malta, are widely available and
                  normally called out as required as part of the second wave
                  response in support of the relevant statutory services. The
                  voluntary agencies, which have their own command structures,
                  are mobilised at the request of and report to the appropriate
                  location / service, to be assigned functions and tasks.

                  The permanent defence forces (PDF) and its local reserve force
                  (FCA) are also available as part of the second-line reserve in the
                  event of a major emergency requiring extended assistance.

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