An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir Dec 2018/Jan 2019 www.dfmagazine.ie 22 | REPORT & PHOTOS BY CQMS MICHAEL BARRETT (AR), 7 INF BN S aturday 20th October 2018 was a fine sunny day in Dublin, and in the city's Cathal Brugha Bks the latest group of RDF recruits passed out as 2 star Privates with the 7 Inf Bn. This day was the culmination of almost a year's training for the 15 newly qualified soldiers on the barracks square. Their families were guests to watch this important event in their military careers. The last major milestone of their recruit-training course had taken place just one week earlier, when all 15 of them had completed and passed part 3 of their Defence Forces fitness test - the 10km loaded march. This test is exactly the same test taken by all operational PDF soldiers in the 7 Inf Bn and other units. Their unit 7 Inf Bn was formed in 2012 as a result of the amalgamation of the 2 and 5 Infantry Battalions of Dublin. Which also seen the RDF's 62 and 65 Reserve Infantry Battalions incorpo- rated into the 7 Inf Bn as part of the 'Single Force Concept' of the then new Cultaca an Airm (Army Reserve). The 7 Inf Bn now comprises 4 PDF Companies and 3 RDF companies, all based in Cathal Brugha Bks in Dublin. Under the supervision of the Battalion's C Company (RDF) Officers and NCOs, these recruits had undertook their train- ing which brought them to the required standard. Their training will allow them to assist their fulltime comrades when called upon to do so, like carrying out operational du- ties or participating in tactical exercises. Some of the original recruits that started in this platoon have already moved to full time careers in the Defence Forces, enlisting in the PDF before they could complete their RDF training course. This training course itself was very physically demanding at times, and their 2 star rank markings were well earned by all soldiers on parade today. As well as the physical chal- lenges of tactical training and the standard fitness test, many other subjects had to be mastered. Including long hours on the square conducting foot and arms drill, some- times in very cold and damp conditions on parade nights. There was also plenty of other far less dramatic but still essential work at home studying for both written and practical tests and, needless to say, the age-old soldiers task of polishing boots which training NCOs are continually inspecting for. But days like today, been promoted to your next rank make it all worth the effort. This rise in rank from recruit to 2 star private is their first ever military promotion, it means they can give a far more active contribution to the Defence Forces. Many of them already have some military traditions within their families, in Ireland, the UK, other European countries and even further afield. The recruits come not just from Dublin, but from several counties in the Leinster region and some of them even orig- inally came from other countries like Poland and Belgium. Officer Commanding 7 Inf Bn, Lt Col Seán Ó Fátharta, Recruit Prince Kamara

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