An Cosantóir

EDITORIAL Comdt James Mulderrig info@military.ie +353 (0)45 44 5306 Sgt Louise McDonald (Stand in) magazine@military.ie +353 (0)45 44 5307 Cpl Lee Coyle journalist@military.ie A/M Sam Gibney photo@military.ie Mr Seán Shinnors Tony O'Brien Provided by Cpl Lee Coyle Cavalry Scout Course pictured Tpr Jason Murphy & Tpr Connor Lewis JM Publishing & Media Arklow, Co. Wicklow, Ireland Tel: +353 (0)87 1344135 Email: info@jmpublishing.ie 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 Cpl Martin Bennett subs@military.ie +353 (0)45 44 5312 Vacant Sgt Louise McDonald webmaster@military.ie +353 (0)45 44 5307 admin@military.ie +353 (0)45 44 5308 MANAGER: EDITOR: PHOTO/JOURNALIST: PHOTOGRAPHER: MAGAZINE ARCHIVIST: CIVILIAN JOURNALIST: FRONT COVER DESIGNER/ADVERTISING: ADMIN NCO: DF/PR INFORMATION: DF WEBMASTER: Vacant Hello, and welcome to our third issue of 2022, our 82nd volume of the An Cosantóir magazine. This issue brings us to our third magazine of 2022. We hope you enjoy reading the An Cosantóir magazine and will continue to enjoy it into 2022. Our Noticeboard page this issue, features a small advertisement on the upcoming MP Pro- bationers course and a notice of the upcoming DF Adventure race. On Parade features pictures from the 18 IRCON medal parade in Mali, The DF sniper team in Fort Benning, 2 Cav (AR) training camp and the Cententary of the Handover of Collins Barracks. In our first feature by Jessica Stone, 'Cultural Property Protection (CPP) Training at UNTSI breaks new grounds', Jessica descripes the first course in CPP to be run in UNTSI, an inter- national course of 26 participants, including military personnel from Belguim, Germany and the UK. Moving on to our second feature article, Cpl Shelley Kehoe and Cpl Alan Ferguson give us an insight on the 8th Infantry Platoon Sgts course; A physically demanding course which must be completed in order to be promoted to the rank of Sgt within the Infantry. In 'Some Say the Devil is dead', we hear from the new head chaplain Pascal Hanrahan, HCF. Pascal guides us through his time in the Irish Guards and tours to Afghanistan, before been commissioned to the DF. I am creating a pictorial chronology of Women in the Defence Forces to mark 40 years of service. While the book will be predominately a photographic record, I'd also like to include some vignettes and anecdotal records of life in DF. Anybody who would like to be included in the book is strongly encouraged to contact me via renken91@gmail.com. The book will feature the following topics (though this list is not exhaustive): early days following the foun- dation of the State, the Army Nursing Corps, change in legislation in the late 1970s, first eight cadets, first platoon, first apprentices, second platoon, integrated training from 1994, overseas, sport, family service (siblings, par- ent/daughter) and present day. I will need and 'A day in the Glen of Imaal beats School' is brought to us by TY student Ciarán McNally. Cia- rán tells us about his experience as a TY student in the Defence Forces Press office, along with his visit to the 120th Inf BN MRE in the Glen of Imaal. 'Cavalry Scout' by Lt Stephen Doyle is the first course to be run out of the Cav School in the DFTC. This course has been in the making for a number of years, and is due to replace the basic recce course. 'Dublin in Flames 1922' by Paul O'Brien MA, is our "From the Archives" piece. Their article from Volume 72, Issue 05, of June 2012 looks back at the Irish Civil War, a very interesting read for our historian readers. As always, we have our regular features including PSS continuing to provide vital mental health advice in 'Headspace and Timing' as well as our 'Internal Comms' piece for all the serving soldiers who read the magazine, and not forgetting our book reviews on page 31. "Power isn't control at all, power is strength, and giving that strength to others. A leader isn't someone who forces others to make him stronger; a leader is someone willing to give strength to others that they may have the strength to stand their own" – Beth Revis Sgt Louise McDonald – Editor would greatly appreciate members of the first two platoons from 1981 and 1990 to get in touch to educate me on their experiences, as having joined in 94 myself, I am somewhat familiar with life in DF since then! I would also like access to photos from those early days if people can share with me and I will conduct interviews with volunteers who are keen to be featured. This will be a publication that we can all take pride in and be a part of, so I really would urge people to get in touch. My publication date is aimed at mid-summer and by then, hopefully we can hold an event to cele- brate 40 years without Covid-19 spoiling play. Thanks in advance. Sgt Rena Kennedy

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