An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir September 2018 www.dfmagazine.ie 16 | Learning the Basics REPORT & PHOTOS BY CQMS MICHAEL BARRETT, AR, 7 INF BN R ecruit training is a common de- nominator for all members of the Defence Forces; a vital physical and mental rite of passage. We all had to go through it, regardless of which branch of service we enlisted in. This basic training provides an introduction to fundamental military skills and knowledge and the military mindset that new entrants will require in their career. In the army context, regardless of whether permanent or reserve, the purpose of recruit training is to turn raw civilians into skilled soldiers. Recruit training for RDF recruits is based on a standard syllabus containing several core subjects designed to produce physi- cally fit, disciplined, motivated soldiers. To this end, on Saturday 26th May, 22 RDF recruits of 7 Inf Bn had a field day of basic training in Cathal Brugha Bks, Dublin. Almost all these recruits had begun the process of joining the Defence Forces dur- ing the latter half of 2017 and were finally attested in early 2018. Since attestation they have been attending weekly parade nights in barracks, while also supporting 7 Inf Bn's other RDF elements with several requested tasks, including assisting with battalion shooting team practice on Gor- manston rifle range. This particular tasking gave rise to a training opportunity for the recruits themselves in the form of learning range familiarisation and judging distance. However, the field day in May was to be their own first full training day in Cathal Brugha Bks; a necessity to help them to pre- pare for their two-week full-time training block, due to take place later this summer. The recruits' training and instructional NCOs are all members of C Coy (RDF) 7 Inf Bn, which is the unit currently tasked with all RDF recruit training in the city. As the premier infantry battalion in the Dublin area, 7 Inf Bn has a vast array of Defence Forces assignments to fulfil, and the role of the battalion's three reserve companies (C, D and E Coys) is to support and, if possible, augment the PDF companies in whenever way we can. The C Coy training day in Cathal Brugha Bks included rifle marksmanship, foot drill, and a physical fitness assessment. Foot drill is almost always the first practi- cal lesson that any recruits will receive; a necessity designed to get troops from one location to another in a smart and soldierly manner. As a result, recruits will spend much initial training time on the barracks square. The early stage of training also involves the recruits learning to organise them- selves, to be on time, to work as part of a team, and to answer their officers and NCOs correctly. They may not realise it at first, but they are being conditioned for military service. Then there is weapons training. Each re- cruit has already been allocated a personal rifle, the standard issue, A1 version of the 5.56mm Steyr rifle, and they must learn to maintain this weapon in full working order. Cpl Anthony Cheung instructing on the rifle mechanism

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