An Cosantóir

EDITORIAL Comdt James Mulderrig info@military.ie +353 (0)45 44 5306 Sgt Louise McDonald (Stand in) connect@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 MOUT Instructor Course 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 fourth issue of 2022, our 82nd volume of the An Cosantóir magazine. This issue brings us to our fourth 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 fundraising awareness campaign for the Irish Cancer Society run by retired RSM Noel O'Callaghan. On Parade features pictures from the Defence Forces 10 Mile Road Race, Naval Service Commissioning, An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, TD visit to UNIFIL and the NCOTW Standards course in Kilbride. In our first feature by Comdt Ronan Corcoran, 'Opening of the purpose-built sports hall for the 12th Inf Bn Sarsfield Barracks', Comdt Corcoran decribes the Defence Forces latest upgrades in Military Fitness and equipment. This is a great asset to the 12Inf Bn and visi- tors to Sarsfield Barracks. Moving on to our second feature article, 'Be More with the Naval Service', SCPO Ruairí de Barra, give us an insight on a career within the Naval Service and what new members can expect when they enlist. In 'Operational Capabilities of 1 BAR', we hear from 2/LT Nathan Larkin, who describes 1 BAR's first assessment from the Operational Capabilities Concept (OCC) which is a NA- TO-led programme. ''Search and Rescue' by Lorna Siggins is an excerpt from Lorna's most recent book which is available to buy from Easons for €16.95. 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 Lorna exposes the shocking systemic flaws that led to these tragic deaths, but also looks at suc- cessful rescues where, despite all the odds, the courage and dedication of members of the Irish Coast Guard, Air Corps, RNLI, fishing crew and the volunteers who work with them have saved countless lives. '9168 at its best, The Ordnance Corps' restoration of 18- pounder fielod gun' by Sgt Robert Delaney, describes the process of restoring of the quick fir- ing 18-pounder field gun which was a cornerstone of the Artillery Corp. 'The Court Martial of Thomas Kent' by CQMS Ger- ry White & Comdt Brendan O'Shea, is our "From the Archives" piece. Their article from Volume 66, Issue 07, of October 2006, looks back at the quality of the court martial that Thomas received and his execution, 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 34. "The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher Inspires." – William Arthur Ward 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 celebrate 40 years without Covid-19 spoiling play. Thanks in advance. Sgt Rena Kennedy

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