An Cosantóir

www.military.ie THE DEFENCE FORCES MAGAZINE | 5 Manager Comdt David McKnight info@military.ie +353 (0)45 44 5306 Editor Sgt Wayne Fitzgerald magazine@military.ie +353 (0)45 44 5307 Connect Sgt Karl Byrne connect@military.ie Photo/Journalist Cpl Lee Coyle journalist@military.ie Photographer Armn Sam Gibney photo@military.ie Subscriptions Cpl Martin Bennett +353 (0)45 44 5312 subs@military.ie DF/PR Information Vacant admin@military.ie +353 (0)45 44 5308 DF Webmaster Sgt Mick Burke +353 (0)45 44 5309 webmaster@military.ie Magazine Archivist Mr Sean Shinnors Designer/Advertising JM Publishing & Media, Arklow, Co. Wicklow,Ireland Tel: +353 15331911 Tel: +353871344135 Web: www.jmpublishing.ie Email: info@jmpublishing.ie Printer Defence Forces Printing Press The fact that an article appears in this magazine does not indicate official approval of the views expressed by the author. © Published by OiC Public Relations Branch for the Defence Forces at DFHQ, Block 5, Ceannt Bks, DFTC, Curragh Camp, Co Kildare, Ireland. Tel: +353 (0)45 445312 Front Cover Front Cover: ARW Patrol in Tchad. Photographer - Unknown. For more Defence Forces photographs, checkout: www.flickr.com/photos/ dfmagazine Editorial H ello, and welcome our fourth issue of 2020, continuing with our 80th volume – in the historic milestone the An Cosantóir magazine has reached. With the redirection of focus towards COVID-19 and the restrictions placed upon the country our On Parade section this month is lighter than it has been but there are plenty of pictures to enjoy, please keep documenting your events and sending them in. Our In Focus pages by Damien O'Herlihy takes the opportunity of isolation to look back at last months article by CQMS Barrett and compare how an article in the first edition of An Cosantóir still has relevance to todays range practices. Vets news is provided by I.U.N.V.A., with a report on the volunteers status of its members during the COVID-19 crisis. Our first main feature, a 2 parter, provided by Signal Magazine, is by Comdt Declan Daly (Ret'd), looks at the EAS initiative, its initial beginning and how it evolved. Moving on from this we continue with part 2 of the Operation Bushfire Assist 19-20 article, provided by Contact Magazines Brian Hartigan, the feature concludes with a number of interviews with serving troops and their experiences during the disaster. Our Front Cover feature, provided by Signal Magazine, is a very interesting look back at the EUFOR Tchad mission, by Professor Ben Tonra, its been over a decade since the mission finished and Ben gives a detailed review of mission over this and the next 2 issues. In Ship Shape, Lt CDR David Lyons gives us an insight into his career in the Naval Service and how it led him to become the OIC of the Naval Dockyard. Moving on from this Comdt Kyran Byrne reviews the Mali mission and his experience of it whilst serving with the mission in 2019, a very interesting read for any soldiers planning on travelling to the mission area. There's plenty more to read in the magazine so please enjoy and of course we have our regulars Tac-Aide, Noticeboard and our competitions, one of which is running for a limited time and could see you win 1 of 5 unique handcrafted pens kindly provided to us by Bill Dooley of Curragh Pens, see page 4 for further details. Many thanks to all our contributors, especially Brian Hartigan of Contact Magazine and Ruairi Kavanagh of Signal Magazine for providing us with some of the articles featured in this issue of An Cosantóir Magazine. Sgt Karl Byrne – (Stand-in) Editor IT'S BEEN A TRULY STRANGE AND AT TIMES SURREAL FEW MONTHS. WE'VE ALL BEEN FORCED TO ADAPT IN SO MANY WAYS, AND EVERYONE'S EXPERIENCE AND CIRCUMSTANCES HAVE BEEN DIFFERENT. Many of our members, we know, have been involved in the Covid-19 response efforts while simulta- neously dealing with the loss of a second household income. For those who fall into this category, please do know we're here to help. Whether it's in relation to your shares, existing loans or our new 'GetOverTheHump' Covid-19 loan, you can reach us on 018554489 for a discreet and confidential chat. And coming back to that word "adapt", here we've outlined a brief guide to managing a reduced household budget: 1. Map out your monthly spending in an excel sheet using your Credit Union/Bank statements over the last six months. And be honest, whether it was too many take away coffees, gambling or what- ever else you'd rather not shout about. 2. Next input your income at its new level and identify your shortfall. 3. Next input your savings, if any, so you can see how long you can realistically cover your shortfall. 4. Now highlight all non-essential spending and be draconian about it. 5. Lastly, if you've still got a deficit, see what bills you can delay. The five main banks have agreed to temporary mortgage and loan suspensions for those genuinely affected. Equally here in ANSAC we've supports in place and we encourage you to call us to talk about your options. Take care all, and once again, we're here if you need us – ansaccu.ie/loanoptions / 018554489 / info@ansaccu.ie

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