The Army is one of the armed forces that defend Ireland against armed agression.It also takes part in UN (United Nations) operations wherever required in the world. These overseas operations are for peacekeeping and humanitarian purposes.
The Army offers a range of jobs or trades. All soldiers also carry out a wide range of duties, including taking part in military exercises and operations.
There are seven groups of jobs:
Combat
Combat soldiers work in the field, peacekeeping in war-torn areas, or delivering humanitarian aid to where it is needed.
Engineering
Dealing with the nuts and bolts and electronic systems of running the Army and its hardware, from building a base to getting a tank’s weapons system repaired.
Materials and supplies
Getting materials and supplies from A to B and making sure the Army has the equipment it needs. It can involve taking supplies across country to ensure that all soldiers have food and water, or backing up tank and helicopter crews with fuel and ammunition.
Intelligence, IT and communications
The Army relies on information, which means 100 per cent effective communication between allies, the field and those back at base. It also means listening in on the enemy.
Human resources, administration and finance
The Army recruits and trains its own human resources, administrative, finance and IT specialists.
Medical
Doctors, nurses, dentists and vets protect the lives, health and well-being of soldiers, civilians and the animals that serve the Army.
Music and ceremonial
Army musicians take part in ceremonial occasions and represent the public face of the Army at concerts and military parades.
Hours and environment
Working hours depend on the soldier’s specialism. Some may work office hours, while others work shifts. Hours may be long and irregular when taking part in exercises and operations, and soldiers may be separated from their families for long periods. Soldiers are on call at all times if needed, and may find personal plans are cancelled if the situation demands it.
Army soldiers can be stationed in the Ireland or overseas. They are trained to work in a wide range of conditions and situations. Depending on their particular work, they may be in an office, outside in field conditions, or in specialist areas such as workshops or a kitchen.
Soldiers wear a uniform most of the time.
Skills and personal qualities
A soldier should:
- be able to accept discipline
- be able to work in a close-knit team, but also use their own initiative
- be physically fit with good stamina
- be prepared to go into combat
- think and react quickly
- communicate well
- be prepared to work anywhere in the world
- accept responsibility
- be able to live in close contact with other people
- be able to plan, think and act under pressure
- have practical and technical skills.
Specific skills and qualities may be required for certain jobs. For example:
- military clerks should be methodical
- communications and intelligence personnel need foreign language skills
- technicians need diagnostic and problem-solving skills.
Interests
It is important to be interested in:
- serving the country
- working in a tight-knit community with people from a wide range of backgrounds.
Getting in
No formal education qualifications are required to join the Defence Forces as a recruit. However, you must satisfy the Interview Board and the Recruiting Officer that you possess a sufficient standard of education for service in the Defence Forces.
Age Limitations
Applicants must be 18 years of age and under 25 years of age on the date deemed as the closing date for applications.
Training
The Recruit Training Syllabus is designed to produce a physically fit, disciplined and motivated Two Star Infantry Soldier with basic military skills. Recruit training is foundation military training. It is seventeen weeks in duration. It is followed by 3 Star training and at a later stage by Trained Soldier Specialist Training courses.
Recruits may be required to complete their training in any Defence Forces location and following their training, may be posted to any Defence Forces location subject to Defence Forces requirements.
Salary and other benefits
Salary on enlistment is currently ,€14,726.40 rising to €26,700 after three years service.This continues to rise to €37,000 at the rank of Private 3 star First Class. Further salary increases are available subject to promotion.
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