An Cosantóir

| 25 Vox Pops 34 Res Inf Bn was formed from an amalgamation of the 11, 13 and 23 Inf Bns in the reorganisation of the FC�� into the Reserve Defence Forces in 2005. The unit covers the full length and breadth of Co Cork, with Bn HQ based in Fermoy; HQ Coy in Collins Bks Cork; A Coy covering Fermoy, Midleton, Youghal, and Mitchelstown; B Coy in the north of the county around the Mallow area; C Coy in the south covering Kinsale and Clonakilty; and Sp Coy in west covering Castletownbere, Skibbereen, and Macroom. OC 34 Res Inf Bn (and Kilworth Camp) Comdt Jim Murphy told us ���34 Res Inf Bn is a unit that epitomises the volunteer ethos that exists in the RDF. We have personnel who are farmers, school leavers, engineers, university students, to name but a few, and they all volunteer to come together for training throughout the month, conducting ceremonial duties and exercises, all on top of their regular jobs and lives.��� On his last camp on Bere Island before retirement was Comdt Tom O���Neil, OC HQ Coy. He originally joined up in 1974 with the then 23 Inf Bn FC��. After the amalgamation Comdt O���Neil, served as battalion adjutant, battalion 2/ ic, and OC B Coy before taking up his current position. ���The battalion is very active and involved in many areas,��� Comdt O���Neil explained to us. ���Ceremonies we have been involved in include the St Patrick���s Day parade, the annual Eucharistic guard of honour for the bishop of Cork, and numerous presidential guards of honour for both President McAleese and President Michael D. Higgins. We also participate in competitions, tactical exercises, as well as conducting annual recruit and training camps.��� The battalion has certainly been active in competitions and they were very proud to show us their collection of trophies. This year alone the battalion team won the RDF rifle, GPMG, and falling plates��� competitions as well as winning the male senior, male intermediate, and male novice titles in the RDF orienteering competition. ���Not only that but three years ago we came second in the Defence Forces orienteering competition, competing against our PDF counterparts,��� Comdt O���Neil remarked full of pride. The OC, Comdt Murphy will also be leaving the unit shortly, to travel overseas. On saying goodbye to his former command he remarked ���It has been a privilege and a honour to command such a wonderful unit.��� Of course we mustn���t forget that members of the RDF are part-time and have lives outside the military. For example in his regular daily life Comdt O���Neil is the manager of the Spike Island heritage centre. Here is a sample of a few other reservists serving with 34 Res Inf Bn. Cpl Daniel Hosford ���I���m in CIT studying software development. I joined the reserves 11 years ago with friends. We thought it would be an exciting thing to do; and it is. The training and exercises are exciting. Great unit with great people.��� Pte John Desmond ���I���ve just finished my leaving cert and I���m actually applying for the PDF at the moment. If I don���t get in I���m going to go on to college to study social care. I was always interested in the Defence Forces, especially the army, so I joined the 34 Res Inf Bn. It���s a great unit and it has given me a good idea of what army life would be like.��� Coy Sgt Richard Yeats ���I have 26 years in the reserve and the skills, training, and experience I have gained are fantastic. I find that many of those skills can transfer into civilian life. This is especially true of the confidence you gain from serving with the reserve. I am an electrician by trade working with Cork local authorities. I love it.��� Pte Brian Doyle ���Most of my family are in the reserve, including my three brothers in this unit and my father who is a lieutenant in Cork. This is a great unit and it really is ���a life less ordinary���. Where else would you get to do what we do? I am currently studying accounting in UCC.��� Pte Tomas O���Brien ���I joined after my sister. It���s a great way to gain military skills and training on a part-time basis. The people I���ve met and friends I���ve made are great. In civilian life I���m a truck driver.��� Sgt Patrick Lawton, Pte Eimear Lawton (daughter) and Pte Katie Twohig (niece) ���We are with C Coy in Clonakilty��� says Sgt Lawton. ���I���m a store man in civilian life and chairman of the Barryroe GAA club. When I originally joined 11 Inf Bn in 1981 it was a great way to meet people. Over the years there has been a lot of emphasise put on military training so we can actually work alongside PDF units.��� ���I am hygiene, health & safety officer in my day job,��� Pte Lawton told us. ���With my father and sister in this unit and my brother in 3 Inf Bn it���s not surprising I followed in their footsteps and signed up. It���s great but I���m going to Brazil soon with my work for 2 years so I���ll miss it.��� Pte Twohig told us: ���My uncle on my dad���s side was originally in the army; he served in the Congo. Then with my uncle Patrick and cousins in the reserve it sounded amazing so I joined up a few years ago. I love it. I���m a farmer.��� Lt Adrian O���Donovan ���I���m with B Coy in Mallow and I���m a civil engineer for Cork County Council. My father was originally in the army and I always wanted to serve. I joined the reserve in 1991 and was commissioned in 2000. After all these years I still enjoy my service. Some of my best friends are in the reserve. ���Seeing a batch of recruits or NCOs passing out after you���ve trained them gives great satisfaction but I would like to see us getting a more defined role. I think the reserve provide an excellent service. When you think of it everyone here is a volunteer. We parade on average 40 times a year, and that doesn���t include camps and training exercises, or ceremonial duties. It���s a fantastic organisation.��� www.military.ie the defence forces magazine

• Cover