An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir September 2019 www.dfmagazine.ie 38 | JASON O'NEILL VEHICLE BASE WORKSHOPS, DFTC PRIVATE/HEAVY VEHICLE MECHANIC J ason O'Neill joined 5 Inf Bn in McKee Bks, Dublin, at 20 years of age. After completing his recruit and three-star training, Jason served in Sp Coy, where he completed weapons courses including the .5 HMG and 81mm mortar. He won brigade and all-army titles with the battalion's mortar team in 2004, and also completed an MT drivers' course be- fore moving to Tpt Pl, HQ Coy. In 2004 he served overseas in Liberia as a stores private with APC Coy. He volunteered for overseas again in 2008, travelling to Chad as an acting corporal with APC Coy as a car commander. "I had a lot more responsibility for the troops, weapons and stores during this mission," Jason says, "but it was a very good experience." While overseas he successfully applied for an apprentice- ship as a heavy vehicle mechanic through the Trainee Techni- cian Scheme, and commenced training in September 2009 in the Vehicle Base Workshops (VBWS) in the Curragh. He at- tended Bolton Street and Athlone IT for certain subjects and spent a year in Custume Bks, Athlone, on work experience. On completion he received an NCIA-level qualification as a heavy vehicle mechanic. While Jason was on his course his parent unit amalgamated with 2 Inf Bn to form 7 Inf Bn in Cathal Brugha Bks. Jason de- cided to apply for a transfer and was posted to the new DFHQ offices in Newbridge as a clerk in the Commissioned Officers Management Office for a few months before being posted to the VBWS as a mechanic. Jason again served overseas in 2014, this time with UNDOF on the Golan Heights as a rifleman with the Quick Reaction Force (QRF). He recalls that the QRF was very active and was involved in number of high-profile tasks, like the evacuation of unarmed observers from Ob- server Group Golan whose positions were coming under fire as the Syrian civil war raged within kilometres of Camp Ziouani. On his return Jason completed the LTAV drivers and rigid truck and trailer courses, before undergoing a Potential NCOs course in the NCOTW, Military College from January to July 2018. While awaiting promotion in VBWS Jason trav- elled overseas again, this time to Lebanon with 113 Inf Bn in November 2018. Jason's hobbies include archery and he is in the process of setting up an archery club in the Defence Forces. Jason also wrote a fairytale novel for his daughter Ríona (10), with his other daughter, Kayla (16), providing the illustrations. Originally written and illustrated by hand, Jason was urged by family and friends to produce a more professional version of the book, which is titled 'Magic of the Slieve Bloom Mountains'. This was done with the help of Jason's friend, Cpl Tom Reddy (DFHQ), a graphic designer, who retyped the text and digitised the images for publication. Another of Jason's friends, David Murray (recently retired from VBWS), is heavily involved with the Down Syndrome Centre Midlands, and together they came up with the idea of helping to advertise the book by putting the Centre's logo on the front cover. Jason is also giving 10% of the sales to the char- ity, which relies heavily on donations. "There are only 100 left of the initial 400 copies printed," Jason told us. "We are looking at getting another 500-1,000 copies printed in the second run, which we hope will result in all overheads being covered and a donation of nearly €1,000 to the Down Syndrome Centre Midlands. I would like to thank all those who have pur- chased the book and to all those who helped and supported me, especially my wife Erica. I've already started a follow up book." Copies can be purchased for €7 at Tallaght Ink and Village Hardware in Clondalkin, Ea- sons of Portlao- ise, Dunmaise Arts Centre, Nooks and Cranny of Portlaoise, or directly from Jason through his Facebook page: www.facebook.com/Jasonchildrensbooks BY SGT WAYNE FITZGERALD PHOTOS BY SGT KARL BYRNE

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