An Cosantóir

12 THE CAREER OF SENIOR CHIEF PETTY OFFICER BRENDAN MADDEN THE CAREER OF SENIOR CHIEF PETTY OFFICER BRENDAN MADDEN With a grandfather who served in the Royal Navy during the First World War and a father who was an active member of the local Lifeboat crew, Brendan Madden's career destiny was probably decided at an early age. Add to that lots of time spent in boats as boy in Courtmacsherry in County Cork. "I always had an interest in the sea," he explained, "My father Brendan was involved with the local RNLI in Courtmacsherry while my grandfather, John Madden, served in the Royal Navy in WW1, so we have a long history of service at sea. When he left school after the Leaving Cert in 1985 the jobs landscape was bleak. "I noticed that the Naval Service were recruiting so I put in an application and was successful." On completion of his recruit training in Haulbowline, he joined his first ship, the LÉ EMER. During that posting he was involved in two resupply missions to the Defence Forces deployed with UNIFIL in Lebanon. A gunnery course in the UK followed – the Navy was purchasing new weapons at the time – which peaked Brendan's interest in weapons instruction. Promotion to Leading Seaman – which came after an NCO leadership course – added to his interest. Time as a weapons instructor in the gunnery school on the Naval Base was followed by a return to sea on the LÉ DEIRDRE. There, he further developed his leadership skills as Gunnery NCO in charge of all the weapons on board the ship. A significant personal event took place in 1994 when Brendan married Patricia. The birth of his twin boys in 1997 – Luke and David – came as he was back at sea on the LÉ EMER. But, Brendan recalled, the Navy made sure he was back home for the birth. "It is one of the things about the Navy when you have important personal issues, they really help you out." After a short spell back in gunnery training, an opportunity came up to serve on board a new ship, the LÉ ROISIN – which was being built for the Navy in the UK in 1999. "I was lucky to be part of the original crew. We travelled to the UK for the handover of the ship by the dockyard to the Naval Service and the sea trails before it came back to Ireland." This was a special experience because it was the first new ship built for the Navy since 1984. It was also special because the technology and facilities on board were state-of- the art; "weapons control systems, navigation systems, layout By Tony O'Brien Photos provided by SCPO Brendan Madden The LÉ EMER, Brendan first posting vessel. Naval vessels conducting RAS (Replenishment at Sea). SCPO Brendan Madden.

• Cover