An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir November 2019 www.dfmagazine.ie 24 | INTEGRITY – 'BE TRUTHFUL, RELIABLE AND HONOURABLE' The award for integrity was presented to retired gunner David Stack, who was nominated by his former colleagues in 1 Bde Arty Regt, who said that throughout his seven years service David epitomised integrity in the workplace, displaying moral judgement and character, combined with honesty and leadership. During Storm Emma he reported for duty when others sought reasons not to, putting the unit ahead of his own needs, and remained on station for 48 hours, advising, guid- ing and assisting external emergency and support agencies, all while worried about his own family at home. David initially served with 12 Inf Bn in Limerick before securing a transfer to 1 Bde Arty Regt in Cork. He travelled overseas with 49 Inf Gp to Lebanon in 2015. Highlights of his career include the experience of serving overseas at a young age and having the honour of playing with the Defence Forces soccer team in the 2017 CISM Military World Cup in Oman. DEFENCE FORCES VALUES CHAMPION The overall award of DF Values Champion was presented to RSM John Murray (CIS Gp, DFTC) who has completed 41 years service in the DF. An outstanding soldier and valued member of his unit, John has consistently displayed innovative thinking, exceptional commitment, dedication and selflessness in carrying out his duties. His absolute loyalty to all his comrades, superiors and subordinates, and his mentorship of younger members of the Defence Forces is an example of real leadership in action. Displaying the moral courage to respectfully challenge superiors when he feels it right to do so, RSM Murray leads by example: first in, last out. John has immense pride in his unit and in the ethos, traditions, and values of the DF; a pride he embodies in his turnout, deportment, and physical fitness. He regularly displays selflessness by responding to incidents outside duty hours, and his steadfast loyalty to the Defence Forces in the face of significant change has been an inspiration to others to embrace change while still preserving the ethos and values of the organisation. RSM Murray has had many highlights during his career, most notably his 15 tours of duty overseas to Lebanon (nine times), Kosovo (twice), Bosnia, Somalia, Af- ghanistan and Syria and with an EU Nordic Battlegroup, which trained in Northern Sweden and the Arctic Circle. RSM Murray works as the senior personnel manager of the DFTC CIS Group, which has three wings: CIS School, CIS Workshop and CIS Operations. While his current duties focus on maintaining standards and dis- cipline for all CIS Corps personnel, his background is in the area of telecommunications, networks and aerial rigging, and he has always enjoyed working as part of a team, or leading the team when needed. SPECIAL AWARD - A SPECIAL AWARD WAS MADE TO 15-YEAR-OLD CHARLIE WATSON FROM SWORDS. Charlie, who has cerebral palsy, has a great interest in the work of the De- fence Forces, and who in his own way has demonstrated those values that are central to the Defence Forces. He displayed a determination towards pursuing his goal of working overseas and supporting the Defence Forces in their valuable work for vulnerable people at risk in areas of conflict. We wish him great success while attending his transition year work experience in the Curragh Camp this November 2019. The 2019 Defence Forces Values Awards process has recently closed and the next recipients will be announced at the end of the year.

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