An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir November / December 2023 www.military.ie/magazine 18 | J7 ARTICLE BY LT PHILIP KEARNEY PHOTOS PROVIDED BY LT PHILIP KEARNEY INTRODUCTION J7 Training and Evaluation Branch stands as a linchpin for the Defence Forces, diligently crafting training policies, coordinating education, and vigilantly monitoring standards. These concerted efforts underpin the highest operational capability, efficiency, and effectiveness levels. EXTERNAL EDUCATION SECTION: A BRIDGE TO EXCELLENCE The External Education Section plays a vital role in facilitating, processing, and administrating external education and training. Its mission is clear: to bridge the training, education, and capability gap within the DF. By collaborating with relevant stakeholders and optimising budget and resources, this section ensures that DF personnel have access to continuous professional development. An essential enabler for this purpose is the DF Refund of Fees scheme. Training Instruction TI 04/2000 provides the necessary guidance for applying under this scheme, ensuring that personnel can access external education. By managing participation in NATO and European Union military courses, the External Education Section keeps the DF at the forefront of military thinking and best practices. The External Education Training Output statistics in 2023 illustrate the section's impact: TRAINING PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT SECTION: PRECISION IN PREPAREDNESS The Training Planning and Management Section is responsible for developing training policies and crafting the Annual Training and Education Directive (ATED). This crucial task ensures that training ammunition allotments are optimised for effective, safe and efficient training activities. The section's Training Instructions (TI), Circulars (TC), and Syllabi (TS) are designed to align all training courses and activities with the DF Strategic Goals. Each training course and activity must gain authorisation from D J7, with the section facilitating this process. This Section also spearheads various military competitions, recognising and rewarding excellence within the Defence Forces. Highlights from the year include the Defence Forces Small Arms competition, where 1 BCS won the falling plates; the Infantry Tactics competition, won by 1 MIC; and the International Sniper competition, won by 27 Inf Bn. The Training Planning and Management output in 2023 demonstrates the scale of its activities: DEFENCE FORCES FITNESS AND SPORTS POLICY SECTION: BUILDING PHYSICAL AND MENTAL RESILIENCE Physical fitness and mental resilience are indispensable attributes for DF personnel. The DF Fitness and Sports Policy Section is pivotal in developing the physical education training environment and formulating sports, fitness, and adventure training-related policies. These policies and standards ensure that all members of the Defence Forces meet and maintain the required fitness standards. The section collaborates with various sports groups within the DF to organise and facilitate sporting events. Examples of the remarkable sporting achievements in 2023 include the DF Boxing team winning the Celtic Cup, the DF men's rugby team placing 5th at the Military Rugby World Cup in France, the DF golf placing 3rd in the CISM military golf championship in the USA, and the high standard of running observed during the An Cosantóir. EVALUATIONS AND LESSONS LEARNED SECTION: CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT The Evaluation and Lessons Learned Section assesses and evaluates training throughout the DF to ensure adherence to current doctrine. It employs two primary methods of training evaluation: • Domestic Unit Training Evaluation (DUTE) model: assesses unit- training administration, facilities, and infrastructure to ensure courses are effectively administered, and training is conducted in a student- centric manner. • Domestic Exercise Evaluation Model (DEEM): evaluates the preparedness of deploying units across five operational areas, identifying shortcomings and training gaps. Additionally, the Lessons Learned element of the section aims to enhance organisational performance by learning efficiently from experience and providing validated justifications for amending existing practices. The DF Lessons Learned Process is an invaluable tool for achieving this goal. CONCLUSION In 2023, the J7 Training and Evaluation Branch has been a hive of activity, working diligently to enhance the capabilities of the DF. The tireless efforts across all sections have not only facilitated the development of new skills but have also propelled the DF towards its strategic goals. As the DF evolves, the J7 Training and Evaluation Branch will continue to shape new best practice standards, ensuring it remains a linchpin in enabling capability development and operational readiness. Shaping Excellence with Lessons Learned DIRECTORATE OF TRAINING AND EVALUATION Refund of Fees Formation No. of Participants 1 Bde 12 2 Bde 21 DFTC 1 AC 1 NS 4 NATO Courses No. of Courses No. of Students 46 57 European Courses No. of Courses No. of Students 271 690 Training Courses Authorised No. of Courses No. of Students 1301 16120 Competitions Authorised Competition Number of Participants DF Small Arms 217 (141 PDF, 76 RDF) Infantry Tactics 6 Teams International sniper 35 teams Training Output 2023 Sports Group Number of Events DFAA 7 DF Adventure Race 1 DFAM 3 DF Boxing 5 DF GAA 6 DF Golf 6 DF Orienteering 1 DF Rugby 3 DF Sea Angling 1 DF Soccer 8 Training Output 2023: Evaluation Evaluation Type Number of Evaluations Units Evaluated DUTE 7 DFSM, 28 Inf Bn, Ordnance School, NS TTS, 12 Inf Bn, DFSC, AC TTS, MP School DEEM 4 67 Inf Gp, 68 Inf Gp (UNDOF) 122 Inf, 123 Inf Gp (UNIFIL) Lessons Learned Lessons Learned Training Number of Students Training Location NATO Lessons Learned POC Course 15 McKee Barracks DF Lessons Learned Staff Course 9 AC MTS NATO LLSOC 7 Sweden DF Men's rugby team at the Military Rugby World Cup in 2023 DF Women's rugby team at a recent game DF boxers with coaches

• Cover