An Cosantóir

11 WHAT I DO WHAT I DO Roy Noonan Trainee Technician Engine Room Artificer (ERA) By Cpl Lee Coyle ERA Roy Noonan grew up in Carrignavar in County Cork and before joining the Defence Forces (DF) he was working in security on shop entrances and also on building sites as a labourer. Like most teenagers, he looked up to his older siblings, and his older brother decided to enlist into the DF. As Roy and his brother were close, the stories of the training and travelling overseas sparked an interest in Roy, so this was all the inspiration he needed to apply for the DF himself. Roy enlisted into the DF on 19 Nov 2007 into the 12 Inf Bn, Kickham barracks Clonmel as part of the 121 Recruit Platoon. He had a great level of fitness on enlistment but still found parts of the training tough, but he said that this made it enjoyable and rewarding when he completed the challenges put in front of him. He also found friendship with his fellow Recruits and had great laughter and craic with them. When he passed out as a Three Star Private he was posted to 1 BAR, Collins Barracks Cork, which is an Artillery Unit. Whilst here he completed a number of interesting courses, which included his initial Gunnery Course, a Light Infantry & Support Weapons Course, 12.7 HMG Course, 81mm Mortar Young Entry Course, Public Order Training Young Entry Course. Along with these he also completed a Forward Observation Officers & Fire Support Team Course, this standing out as one of the toughest courses he has completed, with most of it being stuck in a trench, but again he said it was rewarding when he finally passed it. In Aug 2009, Roy travelled overseas for the first time with 101 Inf Bn MINURCAT Chad. This was a new experience for him especially being the first time he had been away from home for such an extended period of time, but not only that, it was a very different climate then our own and took him a while to get used to the heat, but despite that he found the trip enjoyable. In 2014 Roy applied to transfer to the Naval Service as he was living close to the Naval Base in Haulbowline, Cork and he was also looking for new challenges and courses. So, in December of 2014 he began his seamanship and branch training for the Naval Service. Once completed in July 2015 he was then transferred to the Basin and immediately posted onto the LE Samuel Beckett, where he was straight into patrolling Irish Waters. While onboard the Beckett, Roy completed a Rib Coxn Course and while training on this he saw Naval Divers at work and he was impressed. This was going to be Roy's next challenge within the DF. He applied to undergo the Diver Aptitude Test and passed. But before he got the chance to proceed onto the Naval Diving Course he was given the opportunity to serve overseas with Operation Pontus. Here he really got a real sense of purpose, carrying out the rescues of the refugees; he found it really rewarding to be part of something so big. When he returned from overseas, he then got the chance to undergo the Naval Diving Course, which was a tough 11 weeks, mostly spent in the water pushing himself. Once completed, he became a member of the Naval Service Diving Section (NSDS), which are part of Fleet Support Group (FSG). From here Roy applied for a Trainee Technician Scheme to become an Engine Room Artificer, which is a qualified Mechanical Automation and Maintenance Fitter QQI Level 6, and was successful. This has seven phases; four phases are on the job and these are broken by three off-job phases in third level education in an institute of technology. Currently Roy is in phase five which is on the job. He will be either working at sea gaining experience in roles such as watch keeper or monitoring and servicing engine room equipment, and responding to alarms on board for all the ships' Rhibs. When not assigned to a ship Roy is required to continue with career courses and also maintain the fleets' Rhibs, fixing faults or issues that might not have been possible while at sea. He would also have to service and test the Rhibs before they are cleared to be used at sea. The Rhibs are an important part of the fleet having being used for conducting boarding operations, approx. 780 of which were conducted last year alone. Roy's plans for the future are to stay in the Naval Service as he finds the job very varied and rewarding, with the hope of progressing through the ranks as an ERA, but also hopes to become a dive supervisor. He added that he would recommend to anyone interested in the Naval Service to apply once it is advertised and not to miss out on a great adventure.

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