An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir February 2019 www.dfmagazine.ie 38 | DAVID O'REILLY NCOTW, MILITARY COLLEGE, DFTC COY SGT C oy Sgt David O'Reilly followed his childhood ambition to be a soldier, enlisting in the Army in 1994. He was fortunate to receive the 'best soldier' award in his recruit platoon and was subsequently posted to the 29 Inf Bn. Despite the operational tempo of the unit at the time he immersed himself in sports and shooting competitions, which led to him winning a number of All Army awards in boxing, orienteering, running and shooting. Later in his career he would compete internationally for the Defence Forces winning an international sniper competition. His passion for military life led him to undergo selection for the Army Ranger Wing (ARW) and on completion of Selection Course Charlie One he spent 19 years with the unit. Service with the ARW provided a great platform for self-development, train- ing, adventure and operations. This also gave him the unique opportunity of working with foreign militaries. His personal highlights are a Jungle Patrol Course in Belize, a Military Tracking Instructor Course in Brunei and embedding with the French Special Forces. He has served overseas with B Coy, 81 Inf Bn UNIFIL, twice with SFOR, twice with KFOR, CJSOCC with EUFOR Chad, and with UNIFIL HQ. He has also attended a number of foreign military schools while continuing his personal education. He has attained a Level 7 BA in LMDS from IT Carlow, and a Level 9 Masters of Arts in Strategic Studies from University College Cork. In 2015, he was promoted to Flight Sergeant in the Air Corps where he was the Senior NCO with responsibility for land and air operations in Air Corps Headquarters (ACHQ). This presented him with an opportunity to experience a different operational culture. His responsibilities in ACHQ ranged from co-ordinating air ambulance missions, creating situational awareness through coordinating Air Corps assets to generating statistics for the DoD. Liaison with DFHQ, external agencies were also key func- tions of this position. In 2018, he was selected to be the Coy Sgt in the NCOTW where he is a key enabler in the training and education of NCOs from all Army Corps and the Air Corps (line) who wish to advance their careers. In 2018, the NCOTW conducted a Senior NCO course, two All Arms Standard NCO Courses, a Potential NCO Course, and three Specialised Instructor Courses as well as two Range Manager Courses. This means approximately 350 students passed through the doors of the NCOTW in 2018, sup- ported by large numbers of soldiers from throughout the Infan- try Corps during our FTXs. Coy Sgt O'Reilly's focus during these high tempo periods are Ownership, Self-improvement, Mission Command, the Infantry Ethos and Defence Forces Values. The NCOTW is student centred in its role of training and educating NCOs summed up in its motto - Traeáilimid Ceannairí (We Train Leaders). In 2019 the NCOTW will conduct an Infantry Platoon Sergeants' Course and an All Arms Standard NCO Course. His function is to help shape and influence the next genera- tion of NCO leaders for the Defence Forces, in line with the NCOTW Mission: "To educate, train, and inspire the NCO Corps to be leaders of strong character and professional competence, committed to the Defence Forces Values." He helps achieve this mission by providing both task and purpose for students and NCO staff alike, ensuring the correct knowledge and skills are de- livered. By putting the student first, the NCOTW continues to de- liver professional, educated NCO leaders for the Defence Forces. His passion for NCO leadership development led him to write an article on the subject for An Cosantóir; the first time since 1945 that an NCO has published on leadership and he actively encour- ages other NCOs to study and write about their profession. He acknowledges he has been very fortunate to have served with some great NCOs and officers both at home and abroad who have had a huge impact on his personal development stat- ing a key lesson he learned early being "To lead is also to serve". It is his intent in his role as the Senior NCO in the NCOTW to continue the development of NCOs in order to help others to achieve their potential, promote mission command, ownership and the development of mentoring within the Defence Forces where he sees it as a function leadership to make those coming up behind you to be not as good as you but be better. Coy Sgt O'Reilly is looking forward to training and educating the next generation of NCO leaders for the Defence Forces.

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