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Defence Forces have become 'Dad's Army'
As new brigadier general,57, appointed, concerns expressed that average age of senior officers now reaches 50-plus
By JOHN DRENNAN and JEROME REILLY
Sunday December 23 2007
The Irish army's top ranks have become a "Dad's Army" with the average age of Ireland's senior officers above 50 and rising.
The figures reveal the average age of lieutenant generals is 60.88 years
Our major generals come in at 60.11 years while brigadier generals come in at 57.49 years.
Colonels, lieutenant colonels, sergeant majors and brigade quartermasters also came in above the 50-year age barrier.
When it comes to Ireland's officer class you have to reach the rank of company sergeant (48.9) and company quartermaster (49.39) before the 50-year barrier isn't reached.
However, even our sergeants are 43.01 years old while the average age at which troops get the two stripes of the rank of corporal is 36.81 years, Deputy Barry Andrews has learned.
Though Defence Minister Willie O'Dea noted that "age and experience" should play a critical role in any armed forces Mr Andrews told the Sunday Independent he was "concerned about the age profile".
He noted that whilst experience "should be respected; there was a bit of a Dads Army hue about all of this and that perhaps people should recall that Napoleon was not even 40 by the time he conquered Europe".
In its latest senior appointment the Army's director of operations has been promoted to the rank of brigadier general.
General Sean McCann (57) will immediately take up his new post as officer commanding the Defence Forces training centre at the Curragh, replacing Major General Dave Ashe.
A native of Cork, General McCann, has also served as director of cavalry and personal staff officer to the chief of staff. He has served five times overseas, including two trips to Lebanon.
His appointment came as the Government announced that Irish peacekeeping troops are to remain in Bosnia for another year.
The Cabinet last week approved a proposal by Mr O'Dea to extend the involvement of a contingent from the Defence Forces in the EU-led mission until at least December 2008.
There are 40 Irish personnel serving in Bosnia.
But the mission to Chad continues to be delayed. Defence Forces engineers are buying new equipment to cope with more than 40-centigrade heat in Chad, but no date has yet been set for the deployment.
The EU's 4,000-strong force, led by Irish General Pat Nash, is still waiting for EU nations to pledge sufficient helicopters and aircraft to support the peacekeepers.
The lack of resources has meant the deployment of up to 450 Irish soldiers to Chad and the Central African Republic has been delayed.
"Our troops were ready to go in December but the delay is due to the lack of other strategic enablers (helicopters) outside Ireland's control," a Defence Forces spokesman said.
Army Rangers will lead the way to Chad and a transport aircraft for them and their heavily armed Ford F-350 4x4 vehicles has already been arranged.
The Rangers will carry out reconnaissance and act as force protection for Irish Army engineers building the Irish camp in Chad.
"The helicopters which are needed are Puma-type transports as well as tactical airlifters like the C-130 Hercules," the Defence Forces spokesman said.
The UN's planned 25,000-strong force in neighbouring Darfur is also seeking transport and attack helicopters before it can deploy, reports said this week.
The Army is seeking tenders for the supply of a soft terrain 20-tonne fork truck, able to lift 20ft containers in rough terrain and soft ground, in an accelerated procedure because of imminent deployment overseas.
- JOHN DRENNAN and JEROME REILLY
The Irish army's top ranks have become a "Dad's Army" with the average age of Ireland's senior officers above 50 and rising.
sergeant majors and brigade quartermasters
When it comes to Ireland's officer class you have to reach the rank of company sergeant (48.9) and company quartermaster (49.39) before the 50-year barrier isn't reached.
while the average age at which troops get the two stripes of the rank of corporal is 36.81 years
He noted that whilst experience "should be respected; there was a bit of a Dads Army hue about all of this and that perhaps people should recall that Napoleon was not even 40 by the time he conquered Europe".
However the VER wasn't entirely successful because it wasn't availed of by lots of lads who have now become oldish soldiers and who can serve until age 60. Somebody joining the DF now is elected because in 15 to 20 years time the last of the Old Brigade will be reaching mandatory retirement, creating SNCO vacancies. Unfortunately today's young Sgts have reached a block in their career path.
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