An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir November 2019 www.dfmagazine.ie 38 | THOMAS DULLAGHAN DFHQ CIS COY SIGNALMAN T homas Dullaghan enlisted in the Defence Forces on 2 August 1988 with 27 Inf Bn, Aiken Barracks, Dundalk. While serving in the company office of his sub-unit in 27 Inf Bn, Thomas began his long-time education within the Defence Forces started, undergoing a computer appreciation course followed by a Lotus 123 (the precursor to our current Microsoft Excel programme) spreadsheet course. In the summer of 1990 Thomas travelled to Lebanon with 67 Infantry Battalion. He recalls this being a highly tense trip as several 27 Inf Bn personnel had been injured with 66 Inf Bn. On his return Thomas severed in A Coy, 27 Inf Bn, for the next number of years, during which time he completed vari- ous unit and command courses, including an Orderly Room Corporals course. In 1999, Thomas studied for his junior certificate as a mature student through the Defence Forces in Pearse College, Crumlin. Having received exceptional results, and at the recommen- dation and request of the college principal that Thomas be allowed to continue his education, Thomas continued on to complete his leaving certificate in 2000. Thomas again achieved good results and during this three-year period in Pearse College, he was elected president of the Student Union. In 2000 Thomas also became a PDFORRA rep in the McKee Barracks District. Wanting to put his education to work Thomas applied for a transfer to DFHQ CIS Company, which he joined during his educational course. In 2003 Thomas completed a Communi- cation Operatives course to become a qualified member of the CIS Corps. At this time Thomas was also elected as vice chairman of McKee District, PDFORRA. From 2004 to 2005 Thomas worked in the telephon- ics area of DFHQ CIS Coy, until he was selected, through psychometric testing and interview, for the Defence Forces Trainee Technician Scheme. He was a member of the first military class in IT Carlow and was class president for the duration of the course. During his service Thomas also qualified as a transit (Mod 2B) and truck (Mod 3B) driver. In 2008 Thomas graduated with a bachelor of engi- neering degree, with distinction, in Military Communi- cation Systems. In 2009 Thomas joined the staff of the CIS Directorate, DJ6, where he worked in a sergeant's appointment for a number of years. Thomas's PDFORRA journey continued, with him become chairman of McKee District and vice chairman of PDFORRA Eastern Region. In 2014 Thomas became part of the technical team launch- ing the IKON (information knowledge online) system, which was rolled out throughout the Defence Forces and is still in operation today. During the process, Thomas and the CIS team worked with a number of external partners and underwent specialised IT training with Spanishpoint. Thomas then worked as part of the team in Information Tech- nology Operations (IT Ops) and also helped out as an adminis- trator in the unit orderly room. Thomas, who retired from the Defence Forces in August 2019 with over 31 years' exemplary service, says he is very grateful to the Defence Forces for allowing him to live a life of difference. He told us: "People often asked me 'Is the army a good job?' and I've always told them that the Defence Forces is a way of life, not just a job." Upon his retirement Thomas joined the Irish Defence Forces Veterans Association (IDFVA) and was elected to the Associa- tions National Executive Committee, where he currently holds the role of National Liaison Officer. We wish Thomas all the best in his future endeavours and thank him for his service to his country and the Defence Forces. BY SGT WAYNE FITZGERALD MAIN PHOTO BY ARMN SAM GIBNEY Thomas receiving a presentation on his retirement from Lt Col Stuart McNamara, OC DFHQ CIS Coy in the Ptes Mess, McKee Bks.

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