An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir April 2019 www.dfmagazine.ie 16 | BY SGT WAYNE FITZGERALD PHOTOS BY ARMN SAM GIBNEY NEW PIPS ON EXPERIENCED SHOULDERS: The 10th Potential Officers Course O n Wednesday 13th March 2019 the commissioning of the 10th Potential Officer Class (the first since 2008) took place in Dublin Castle with the Minister with Responsibility for Defence, Paul Kehoe TD, and Chief of Staff, Vice Admiral Mark Mel- lett DSM, in attendance. Eight of those being commissioned had been senior NCOs and were commissioned as captains, with the remaining 16 junior NCOs commissioned as lieutenants. The students, who had a wide range of military experience at home and extensive service overseas, completed 11 months training with the Cadet School in preparation for the next chapter in their military careers, which will see them to take up appointments as commissioned officers throughout the Army and Air Corps. Between them, the members of the class, which comprised stu- dents from the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service, have accumulated 94 individual overseas missions and a combined service of 401 years. The ten Potential Officers courses conducted since 1979, have seen 240 NCOs being commissioned from the ranks. DF Press Officer, Comdt James O'Hara, told us: "The Potential Officer course is designed to capitalise on the wealth of knowledge, experience and skills already in existence within the NCO ranks. It provides the Defence Forces with the prospect of offering further career development opportunities and responsibilities to the successful NCOs, and in return gain highly motivated, dedicated and competent commissioned officers." Minister Keogh addressed those attending the ceremony, saying: "This is a proud day for the new officers and their families… The course you have completed covered a wide range of subjects to equip you with an array of skills to make each of you a hugely beneficial addition to any unit within the Defence Forces." The minister also announced that the next two Potential Officer courses will take place in 2021 and 2024. In receiving their Presidential Commission from Minister Keogh, the new officers took an oath of allegiance in which they declared to be "faithful to Ireland and loyal to the Constitution". Vice Admiral Mellett DSM said: "I am delighted to be in the pres- ence of proud family and friends of our new commissioned officers, each of whom has already given years of service to the Defence Forces' enlisted ranks." On conclusion of the ceremony the class performed a ceremonial sword-drill before celebrating with friends and families. During their course the students held two charity events. The first was held on 27th February 2019, and included a 2km children's fun run/obstacle course to promote the importance of being active, which had 1,400 students and 100 teachers from 12 schools taking part, and helped raise €6,400 for the Coombe Hospital's Intensive Care Unit (ICU). The second, on 28th February, saw serving members take part in a 3.5km non-competitive cross country run/obstacle course, or com- peting in a timed, four-person team event in DPMs. Which was won by a team from Finner Camp, in 19:02mins. On the day donations were taken for the ONE's Fuchsia Appeal in aid of DF veterans – with another €1,000 raised. Both of these events took place behind the Hospital Mess and on the ranges in the DFTC. General service recruitment, through which the members of the 10th Potential Officers course joined the Defence Forces, is now open – see www.military.ie for more information.

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