An Cosantóir

13 the exemplars of lifelong learning in the entire Public Sector. For my part, I have been very lucky that the DF has facilitated my continuous training and education over the last 38 years. I studied French and English literature in NUIG in the 1980s, did a year in the French War College in 2001 and later completed a Masters in International Liaison and Communication at the University of Westminster in my own time. In 2018, I underwent an Executive Diploma in Strategy and Innovation at the Smurfit Business School (UCD). Apart from various military qualifications, I hold a NATO interpreter's qualification in French and have a keen interest in Irish language and music (le linn an ama atá fágtha agam sa tseirbhís, ba mhaith liom níos mó ama a chaitheamh ag feabhsú mo Ghaeilge). I also hold instructor qualifications as a diver and parachutist (both military and sport), and I am honoured to be the President of Defence Forces Parachuting. But it's not only in the training environment that we are excelling – DF personnel have consistently performed at an extremely high level when tested against any national or international standard. I have been lucky to spend a lot of time overseas, both on missions and on training, and I can safely say that our people, both serving and retired, are as good as anybody out there in the military or civilian spheres, and in many cases better. I am certain that just as the previous generations have proven themselves, and as this generation has done once again during Covid, the next generation of inductees has a huge amount to offer, and I am very optimistic for the future of the Defence Forces. It is fair to say that as an organisation we are not perfect - there are always things that we can do better. But as long as our values are right and we continue to learn from our mistakes, then the Defence Forces will always be a world class military organisation, of which we can be very proud. That is one of the reasons why we are spending so much time and effort rolling out our 'Values in Action' programme, in partnership with our senior enlisted leaders. A look at the stories behind our 'Values Champions' in recent years is certainly uplifting, and there are many more untold stories and unsung heroes where they came from, especially during Covid. That said, I would like our personnel reading this to know that we in the General Staff are very aware of the pressures and challenges that our soldiers, sailors, aircrew and their families have been experiencing in recent years. We are aware because we are listening – to your commanders, to your representative association leaders and to you. We will continue to work night and day to do all in our power to address those pressures and challenges. For my part, I will never stop both working and advocating for the soldiers, sailors and aircrew of Óglaigh na hÉireann, both Permanent and Reserve, so that we can make the Defence Forces the very best it can be – for you, for the State and above all for our citizens. BRIGADIER GENERAL ADRIAN Ó MURCHÚ ASSISTANT CHIEF OF STAFF (ACOS) Brigadier General Adrian Ó Murchú Assistant Chief of Staff addressing members of Post 1 IUNVA, Dublin

• Cover