An Cosantóir

| 31 www.military.ie THE DEFENCE FORCES MAGAZINE gone, who I was as a soldier, 21 years of amazing job and working with amazing people. I suppose looking back now, I was not ready for that next phase. In the area of overseas can you discuss your favourite mission and why? I completed eight trips overseas and all of them were amazing from being a gunner in Lebanon to the ALO in UNMIL. I suppose one stands out and that is as the ALO in Liberia, I had the opportunity to be involved in the moving of Charles Taylor to the Hague to stand trial. My role, which was orchestrating the movement of troops and equipment from Liberia to Sierra Leone. As impressive as it sounds I was just a small cog in the overall plan but the experience that I got from this was amazing. I got to work with multinationals and experience lots of different cultures. Looking back on your last day in service, can you describe that day and the emotions you felt on that last day? The last day when I was handing back my uniform was surreal, all my mates were all chats and we had a coffee morning in the gym. This was a great way to mark the day. I suppose I grew up and matured in the Army from age 19 until I was 42 years of age so it was all I knew really. So obviously there was apprehension but still excitement of what might lie ahead. Have you kept up a link to serving members and your local barracks? I have the privilege of an invite to the coffee morning that the retired members of the DF have once a month in the mess. This is a great way for people to stay in contact or keep those vital networks going. Also as I have mentioned I have some amazing friends both serving and retired who I'm proud to call my friends and meet with regularly. Reflecting on your career is there any person who made a major impact on your career as a mentor or leader? I suppose as a young gunner in the 1st Regt all of the senior gunners and NCO's gave me great advice and guidance during my career, I got a lot of mentoring from them. I suppose the best leader that I had the privilege to meet during my career was Lt Gen Dermot Early (RIP) he was a great leader to me. He was extremely personable and he seemed to know everybody by name. When he shook your hand it almost felt like the ground moved underneath you. He never looked down on anyone and spoke to you as an equal. He would even remember the time and place he met you for the very first time. So can you chat to us about your time after leaving the DF, what have you been doing and how was the period after leaving adjusting to civilian life? So since departing the DF I was first managing a gym in Cork City, this gym had a 2000 membership base which was quite a large membership. A while after I left COVID-19 happened while I was managing the gym, initially it was extremely challenging and it was quite difficult to navigate through that period. Fast forward a year later I had the privilege to deliver education for Rehab Ireland, it was a great experience working there. My current role is in Mayfield Community Training Centre delivering a QQI level 4 in many different subject areas. I've been there almost 3 years now, it's a really rewarding job helping others to up skill and develop. What advice do you have for someone retiring today? Get your ducks in a row, educate yourself as much as possible. Research and try to know what opportunities are out there and seek advice from others who have already walked the path you're about to embark on. What skills do you feel you brought with you from the DF to civilian life? I feel I had a lot of skills leaving the DF, like the ability to make sound judgement, working to a tight deadline. There were a lot of transferable skills as I have gone from being a military instructor to a teacher in the civilian world. Planning and the ability to communicate are something soldiers do well. What advice would you give to young soldiers now starting out their careers in the DF? Learn and keep learning, do as much as you can and make a plan and stick to it. Be positive and keep asking your senior NCO's for advice and guidance along the way. And last question, do you miss the DF, and if so what do you miss? I miss it all from the friends for life, the opportunities to travel and see things that others will never get the chance to – it's hard to explain to civilian friends, only those who have served understand. Grattan keeping up his connection to sport and that team environment that he now misses Grattan seen here with his family, his late father was RSM of the 1st Regiment in Collins Bks Cork Grattan during a Ceremonial Duty Grattans last day in service having a coffee morning in the Gym in Collins Bks Cork

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