An Cosantóir

| 25 www.military.ie THE DEFENCE FORCES MAGAZINE www.military.ie THE DEFENCE FORCES MAGAZINE | 25 Lt David Kavanagh pictured with Unit LO 1er Spahis Regiment Flags of countries that speak French Levels available to study with Alliance Française through the DF French Language Programme Comdt Tadhg O'Donoghue & Capt Niall Dungan on exercise with 92 Inf Bn in 2018 as part of the French linguistic immersion programme CS Kelleher and Lt Setright on exercise with 19 Engineer Regiment Lt Setright pictured in the camp at Besançon on the French language immersion programme Lt David Kavanagh introduced to French weapons as part of the immersion programme we were not native speakers. Thankfully, with Irish overseas service in Lebanon, Mali, Afghanistan and Kosovo, we had a lot in common with our French counter-parts. Along with the French language training, we were also introduced to the French military culture, which has many similarities and a few differences to the Irish Military culture, 'Vive la difference'. The history and traditions of the regiment were very interesting and we could only wonder in awe at the investment into unit history and traditions. One of the highlights of the exchange was the introduction to and demonstrations of the unit's river crossing capabilities and railway-related combat engineering. To see up close the unique equipment used to enable rapid river crossing for a mechanised army and to experience practical demonstrations was fantastic. Similarly, the days spent with the railway-related combat engineering capability were a fantastic opportunity to experience something completely different to what the Irish Defence Forces are normally tasked with. Being fully immersed in the French military environment naturally led to an improvement in speaking French and more than anything greater confidence in speaking the language. Our French hosts were happy to assist, when needed and their hospitality was second to none. We were fortunate to be staying in the centre of Besançon, which as a UNESCO site, allowing us to enjoy tourist sites and to relax after duty hours. The French language exchange program is a fantastic opportunity not only to improve one's French, but also to immerse oneself in French military culture. VIGNETTE 3: WO ROBIN FINN, NCC NS The French Language Programme provided me with the opportunity to spend time with a French Military unit. The exchanges are undertaken in pairs, with an emphasis on language immersion. I myself spent two weeks with the 1st Spahi regiment in Valence, during a period when they were gearing up for Operation Sentinel, and it certainly was an experience, literally from the get go we did a PT run through the city on our first morning, and our days afterwards were often spent sitting in on their briefing classes or taking tours of their barracks to be introduced to their facilities, armoured vehicles, weapons and simulation training. The highlight for us, was taking part in a three day exercise, beginning with a full day on the range carrying out weapons practice with a variety of weapons and movement drills, till in the evening we packed up and slogged through the early hours of the evening and night on a route march up to a remote farmhouse, which became their HQ for the exercise period. The following days were a mix of briefs, PT runs in the snow covered forested hills around the farmhouse and monitoring the exercises that each platoon were carrying out, until we were transported back to the barracks. From that you may think it the two weeks were packed exclusively with military events, however the French, as well as having a professional and well equipped Army, are a very sociable people, and we were regularly invited during working hours to their mess for coffee breaks and lunch, or after work hours for example, we were escorted by one of their liaison officers up to the Château de Crussol for a tour and back to a restaurant afterwards. Another kind soul brought us to his family home for wine and cheese with his parents and a more militant group of 'sport' enthusiasts brought us out for a game of tag rugby on the local astro turf pitch. I ended up so sore after that friendly match that I couldn't take part in the regiments challenge run the next day, or that was my excuse anyway. I came away from that trip with not just some fond memories and cool photos, but also a firm and healthy respect for France's Armée de Terre and the 1er Régiment de Spahis in particular. They are a professional and motivated force with a grand tradition and sense of honour and history stretching on from the First World War through World War II, French-Indochina and on, winning battle honours right up to modern times. I would heartily recommend spending time in their onsite museum to get a small taste of the great respect they have placed on their service and in the uniform that they wear. As a final note, whatever your future plans in the Defence Forces or beyond maybe I would strongly recommend taking up the challenge of the French language, and engage with the advantages it can bring, not only to your professional but also personal career. GET INVOLVED IN 2023 A number of pathways are available to begin a language learning journey in the DF. As a first step, interested personnel are advised to contact tadhg.odonoghue@defenceforces.ie directly or preferably log onto the DF Connect app and join the 'french language learning' stream. The app is an excellent means of sharing information on courses and language immersion trips. Courses commence in September and January. They cater for all levels and students can choose between online courses, blended learning courses and 'in-class' courses in Dublin or Cork. So give it a go. Challenge yourself to learn another language in 2023 and enter into a new community of language learning. Bonne chance!

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