The Future of the Army Reserve - Discuss

[ODIN]

Another waste of taxpayers money

Some butt hurt Reserve Officer obviously doesn't know that 1. Sinn Fein = Bad and 2. You should not be going to a TD to air your personal grievances against the DF, you pull on the uniform, stay out of the political sphere (I know this is not a requirement for the RDF, but I believe that it is a sound principle to go by).

[Cosantor]

Some butt hurt Reserve Officer obviously doesn't know that 1. Sinn Fein = Bad and 2. You should not be going to a TD to air your personal grievances against the DF, you pull on the uniform, stay out of the political sphere (I know this is not a requirement for the RDF, but I believe that it is a sound principle to go by).

Agreed, however the point still rings true, if it takes ages to make adjustments to R5/DFR's etc., how could this be done so fast.
Also what about all the other parades outside of the 1916 parade that take place about the country, do they hold less significance? Why was it not ok for RDF officers to wear different headdress on the Dublin 1916 parade but its grand now? Who made this call?

While I acknowledge that there are currently more important issues affecting the DF as a whole that who can and can't wear peaked caps, the "not my problem" answer by the Minister for State is indicant of the neglect and culture of "pass the buck" that has the DF in current state.

[ODIN]

Huge issues are facing the DF as a whole at present, and as a single force, we should be dressing the same from top to bottom in both No 1's and DPM. You are right about R5/DFR's, it is ridiculous that it could be amended so fast to suit the pictures on the day of the 2016 Parade in Dublin and changed back just as fast once it was done, yet, we are years into a Re Org that disbanded the old RDF Units but the old R5 still exists for some reason.

My opinion, it suited the higher brass to have "One" army on the day of Parade, less questions on numbers in the PDF/RDF and once that event was over, it no longer suited to have RDF Officers in a peaker. I hope that those who wore them on the day either did not pay out of pocket, or were reimbursed if they did so for the peaker.

Finally, you are right, there is a massive pass the buck culture in the DOD and government when it comes to Defence. The loss of R116 has cast an uncomfortable lens on Irish attitudes to the Defence Forces, and once again, lives have had to be lost in order for the focus to be applied. I heard the Newstalk interviews this morning, as usual, very focused on "specialist officers" and how many we've lost, but also touching on the rank and file and who are now being asked to perform the same roles with less personnel. I was shocked at one point to hear that 2 Bde had eight Lt's on station at one point recently. Eight Lt's who are not on leave, on a course or overseas in an entire brigade is unacceptable.

[DeV]

In fairness, specialist officers are probably harder to recruit and retain (plus take longer to train).

Would "on station" include officers training say recruits, officers on the range etc etc

[ODIN]

In fairness, specialist officers are probably harder to recruit and retain (plus take longer to train).

Would "on station" include officers training say recruits, officers on the range etc etc

I stand open to correction, but I would guess that the "on station" strength is just those who are currently in a unit, ie not detached to BTC as instructors.

[Fridge Magnet]

I stand open to correction, but I would guess that the "on station" strength is just those who are currently in a unit, ie not detached to BTC as instructors.

Correct and right!

[danno]

Another waste of taxpayers money

pure optics.

[Infy]

So does anyone want to buy a peaker?.....worn three times, anyone getting promoted to major in the near future?! Joking of course.

Glad I didn't fork out for it though.

[trellheim]

Glad I didn't fork out for it though.

I didnt't

[Cosantor]

I'd still like an answer to the question of how come it was so fast and why was the call made in the first place, why was it OK for the Dublin 1916 parade but not after that, why was this "temporary derogation in this regard granted by the Deputy Chief of Staff (Support)".

Was it not politically convenient for RDF Officers to wear their Glengarrys in the Dublin Parade, but now all bets are off?

Perhaps RDFRA could ask the question at the appropriate level? I think shenanigans maybe afoot!!

[apod]

I'd still like an answer to the question of how come it was so fast and why was the call made in the first place, why was it OK for the Dublin 1916 parade but not after that, why was this "temporary derogation in this regard granted by the Deputy Chief of Staff (Support)".

Was it not politically convenient for RDF Officers to wear their Glengarrys in the Dublin Parade, but now all bets are off?

Perhaps RDFRA could ask the question at the appropriate level? I think shenanigans maybe afoot!!

Simples. The former OiC A Admin issued a ceremonial order across the DF just before the first 1916 medal parade.That stated that RDF Officers were to wear the glengarry for that parade and all subsequent medal parades.The Glengarry being the authorised normal headress for RDF Officers under A9.(The peaker was only authorised for easter sunday and the rehearsals for same).Some RDF Officers decided to chin off his order and wear their peakers anyway.
This got back to him so he decided to fix them.Which he did.

[trellheim]

The peaker was only authorised for easter sunday and the rehearsals for same

and , in addition, the daily raising of the Flag @the GPO, Party hats even had to wear the peaker for the Flag.

them was the orders. However it was not well communicated that the peakers were a onceoff to all intents. The order banning them, though came out with the speed of a thousand gazelles

[Bravo20]

Simples. The former OiC A Admin issued a ceremonial order across the DF just before the first 1916 medal parade.That stated that RDF Officers were to wear the glengarry for that parade and all subsequent medal parades.The Glengarry being the authorised normal headress for RDF Officers under A9.(The peaker was only authorised for easter sunday and the rehearsals for same).Some RDF Officers decided to chin off his order and wear their peakers anyway.
This got back to him so he decided to fix them.Which he did.

That is not correct. There were many communications on this that stated it was a permanent thing. Also UNITS (not individuals) took different approaches. When asked about the regulation changes we were told don't worry about it, it will follow. As regards the glengarry being the authorised normal headdress for officers in the RDF, the peaker was not an authorised headdress for other ranks in A9 but nobody seems to give a shit about that. Some PDF officer got their knickers in a twist over this and got the decision overturned. Now they are trying to justify their position. You can try and sell that story to some recruit who knows no different but I have been around this organisation for far too long. Personally I couldn't give a **** what I wore on my head what pissed me off was the contradictory communications on this. Yet another example of how unprofessional the professionals are.

[apod]

That is not correct. There were many communications on this that stated it was a permanent thing. Also UNITS (not individuals) took different approaches. When asked about the regulation changes we were told don't worry about it, it will follow. As regards the glengarry being the authorised normal headdress for officers in the RDF, the peaker was not an authorised headdress for other ranks in A9 but nobody seems to give a shit about that. Some PDF officer got their knickers in a twist over this and got the decision overturned. Now they are trying to justify their position. You can try and sell that story to some recruit who knows no different but I have been around this organisation for far too long. Personally I couldn't give a **** what I wore on my head what pissed me off was the contradictory communications on this. Yet another example of how unprofessional the professionals are.

Ah FFS dry your eyes.Boo hoo. I am not selling any story and I don't give a continental if you believe it or not. That's what happened. The peaker for enlisted has been in A9 for years and A9 was never amended to allow RDF officers to keep it.Show me otherwise.Ye got a derogation for the 1916 events.Simple as.An order was issued for Dublin castle and it was chinned off.Only the other day I saw RDF officers wearing peakers in direct violation of the order despite it being in A9 for how many months now.
Little kids pissed off because daddy has said no.

PS: I am not saying what happened is right.Personally I think in line with SFC RDF officers should bin the party hat and leave it to the raccoons.

[ODIN]

I remember a point in time when FCA/RDF officers didn't have Sam Browne belts and couldn't carry swords, that has changed. I get the impression that somebody in the DF has opened the door on the peaker issue for Reserve Officers, and it is going to be difficult to fully close it now, considering the "Cultaca" flash is worn on the number 1 uniform and the fact that RDF OR's wear the same peaker as PDF counterparts, and all "raccoon" officers all wear the same head dress, there seems to be precedent set for somebody who wanted to make an argument about the issue to do so.

As APOD said, the regs are the regs, and I too have seen RDF officers on social media, and in publications still wearing the Peak Cap in breach of them, this is not right and unit Commanding officers need to be very clear on this with said officers.

I would rather see questions in the Dail on personal issue of health and safety related equipment to reservists though, the stuff we need to do the jobs that are asked of us. I am aware that hearing protection is still on pool issue, which I find amazing considering the cost of a set of peltors. Wet gear too is something that should be issued out to each person. I'd also like to see a point in time where a locker in Barracks is offered to RDF personnel so this kit can be issued to each person, but still kept in barracks where it can be inspected.