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The Future ???

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  • The Future ???

    the following paragraph appears in the current r.d.f.r.a. newsletter.
    "overseas service will be a new aspect of RDF service. initially the oppertunities for overseas service are likely to be in the specialist areas, such as, medical, transport, engineering, communications and information services".... reservists in the following areas need not apply, CO.DONEGAL, CO.LEITRIM, CO.SLIGO, CO.ROSCOMMON & CO.MAYO, as all corps units in western bde are to be located in either galway, athlone, or mullingar.

  • #2
    I wonder if they will take Civilian qualifications into account. ie: I.T.

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    • #3
      Re: The Future ???

      Originally posted by sigs
      reservists in the following areas need not apply, CO.DONEGAL, CO.LEITRIM, CO.SLIGO, CO.ROSCOMMON & CO.MAYO, as all corps units in western bde are to be located in either galway, athlone, or mullingar.
      wtf?? are ya being smart there? or is it fact

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      • #4
        I've checked the newsletter on the RDFRA website, there is no mention of
        " reservists in the following areas need not apply, CO.DONEGAL, CO.LEITRIM, CO.SLIGO, CO.ROSCOMMON & CO.MAYO, as all corps units in western bde are to be located in either galway, athlone, or mullingar"
        although it does state :
        "overseas service will be a new aspect of RDF service. initially the oppertunities for overseas service are likely to be in the specialist areas, such as, medical, transport, engineering, communications and information services"

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        • #5
          The quotation marks end at "....communications and information services" so i think the rest was the poster's added comment.

          I think he meant that, as CIS, medical, transport etc are all located in Galway, Athlone or Mullingar the other counties only have Infantry and wouldn't get going abroad.

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          • #6
            ICUN, I see what he means however that is his assumption it is not stated in the newsletter. In all likelyhood there would be a skills survey done before overseas service, qualified personel would then be on record regardless of unit. Personnel wishing to do service will have to apply, they would therefore have to send the most qualified people regardless of whether they are in a corp unit or otherwise. I'd say that IT, engineering, medical, specialist civvie skills will be considered because the sending of reservists abroad would have to be justified, the justification being that these skills are readily available in the RDF as opposed to the PDF. The PDF have an abundance of people for general service which is why the RDF don't get much of a look in at the moment.

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            • #7
              I have a Degree in Computer Science so I would be qualified for IT work but I thought there were would be some army regulation where you couldnt use a DF computer unless you were in CIS or something like that.

              Is there anyone here in CIS? if so, what level of training do you get?

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              • #8
                ICUN, never heard that one, but knowing the DF I wouldn't be surprised if they had a stupid rule like that of course it could be a security issue. I have a Degree in Electronic and Electrical Engineering so I'd qualify for engineering work and perhaps some IT as some modules on these courses are common. I'd like to join a CIS or COE unit but I'd have to move home for that to live in Dublin.

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                • #9
                  I think he means that only Corps Units will be allowed go overseas "where required" It's Hard enough now to get overseas places for the PDF never mind us! And that People need not apply aplies to Louth Meath, laois, wicklow, waterford, kerry, clare, etc etc. Not just western bde counties.
                  Friends Come and Go, but Enemies accumulate!!

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                  • #10
                    Bailer, if that's the way the army intend to go I can see alot of people not bothering to join the infantry or artillary, if the incentive to join a corps unit is possible overseas service then I could see inf. and arty becomming thin on the ground. We could end up with lots of people joining COE, CIS, S&T and Medics with few people joining the inf or arty corps frankly I would'nt blame them.

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                    • #11
                      This is taking a very negative approach (though I can't say I blame you). Firstly you have to face up to the fact that the main immediate need for the DF is for specialists. This reflects the type of assignments they have been taking on. Also, if you read the statement it does not preclude combat units in the future from serving overseas. The actual report provides for combat personnel to serve overseas at the end of the implementation.

                      My view of the future (and this is only my view) is that we should not be tied to units based in specific locations i.e. just because I live in Cavan does not mean I cannot be part of a unit based in Dublin (or visa versa). How will this be achieved, you may ask? Well by moving away from concept of nightly parades. (I hear gasps of horror).

                      Recruit training should be done centrally through BTCs and/or units assigned the task. It should occur at specific times of the year. Individual units will still recruit during locally but send their recruits on the central course. One suggestion would be that if the main target tends to be school goers and students then a 3 to 4 week fulltime course in the Summer would be appropriate, a similar part time course over a number of weekends could be done for non student recruits. This will mean that units will not be tied up with the recruit process (which is a never ending cycle) and can put more effort into maintaining its own readiness, it also means that standards will even out accross the board.

                      Nightly parade's should be replaced by one full weekend a month coupled with a two week commitment during the year. Nightly parades can be used by officers and NCOs to perform the day to day unit administration plus training preparation.

                      Because you only have to attend your unit once a month then you do not need to be tied the location where you live.

                      I would also envisage that people would be encouraged to be flexible about appointments and be willing to move from unit to unit and between corps, move to the BTC for a period, move to the integrated elements and back.

                      I know I am living in a dreamworld but if everybody put an effor into this approach I think it migh actually work. The Military Authority's effort would have to be in the way of resources and investment, our side would be increased committment and professionalism in what we do and accept formal consequences when we do not put in the effort (i.e. remove some of the voluntary element)

                      Comments anyone?

                      [BTW I don't live in Cavan, I was just using that as an example]

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        I don't think that you have to be in a engineering coy to go over sea as a army engineer, i guess that in your training period before you go over seas you will do your training with the engineers that you will be going over with, its your skills you pick up in your day job or college course they want, not what you have been taught at fca camp & training nights?
                        The same can be said for other areas??

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Re: The Future

                          Lads, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to know what Sigs is talking about and he's absolutely right. Of course it isn't in the newsletter but he's getting the point across. Reservists from the named counties have a slim chance of getting abroad, even in 6/7 years time.
                          A county like Mayo is being reduced from 4 Inf companies to 2 with the ReOrg. Fair enough, i realise that the medics, mps have to be around the big towns/cities, but that doesn't take away from the fact that reservists in a county like Mayo don't really have a snowballs chance of going anywhere.

                          Link regarding reduced no's in Mayo:
                          Courage is being scared to death, but saddlin'up anyway - John Wayne

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                          • #14
                            Indeed mayo May have only 2 coy's after the Reorg but Meath (Which has seen a Population explosion in the Last 10 years) Has only 2 coys and will only have 2 coys after the reorg! so whats your point?? will The Meath Inf units have more chance of going overseas?? I don't think so!!

                            Every applicant I'm sure will be assesed on an individual basis not where they train /come from





                            Friends Come and Go, but Enemies accumulate!!

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                            • #15
                              Bravo20, I didn't mean to sound too negative, I've just always felt hard-done-by due to the fact I didn't have the option to join a corp unit, I enjoy serving in my unit but I'd like to do something more on the technical side . You have come up with worthwhile suggestions which I agree with, more flexibility within the RDF can only be a good thing. The recruit training idea in particular would help maintain a high standard as all would be trained centrally.
                              Frank Aiken, I think you are right on that point that a specialist is a specialist on qualification not unit, but if it is only corps units that are intended to serve overseas initially it could easily end up that other units don't get to go overseas at all.
                              I'm sure every reserve would love to serve abroad at least once during their career it would be like a reward for all their dedication and commitment to the DF, I know I would.

                              Bailer: "Every applicant I'm sure will be assesed on an individual basis not where they train /come from" , I agree with you and hope this is the case

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