An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir May / June 2024 www.military.ie/magazine 26 | Can you give me a brief description of your career so far? Before joining the DF I worked in a sports store, it was O'Neill's sports factory. It was great coming up to All Ireland finals getting all the free gear. I joined the army in 2002 in the 2 Inf Bn, when I was 21. I spent three years there and travelled overseas with the unit to Liberia (UNMIL), it was a great trip. I came back from overseas and applied for the first CIS Trainee Technician scheme in 2005 through Carlow IT, to become a CIS Technician (CIST). I completed the Level 7 B Eng in Military Commu- nications Systems in 2008 and I was sent straight to CIS in DFHQ and that's where I've been since. I was Sgt i/c Networks when I applied for the PO's Course in 2018, and I was commissioned back to the Comms Build- ing where I am now A/OC of the Networking Section, responsible for keeping the network secure including managing all of our VDI machines, network structure etc. What made you decide to join the Defence Forces? I had worked in an office in Dublin city and I didn't enjoy it. I didn't enjoy the 9 to 5 and I felt like I needed a job that wouldn't keep me at a desk all day and had a bit of variety and a job that had a physical element to it. I come from a sporting background where I played GAA and XXX (any other sports?). I was always into keeping fit, I also always loved being part of a group or part of a team. The fact that I worked in a few jobs that I didn't like made me really appreciate the Army once I got in. You completed the Potential Officers Cse in 2019, did you always want to do the Potential Officers course? No, I actually didn't, I was on duty on the gate here in McKee Barracks and an Officer I had previously worked with rang me and suggested I put in for it. I hadn't considered it initially as I was happy with the job I had. He suggested to just put in for it and see what happens so I ended up applying for it and I got it. It was an opportunity that came up like has happened many times in my career. I was very happy with the career and job that I already had so it was a bonus to be commis- sioned back to the same unit where I could continue doing technical work, now in a management capacity where I can influence policy. What was your proudest day so far in the Defence Forces? I think any day when you're promoted with any of the big parades, to share those days with your family who support you through the courses are proud days. Obviously getting commissioned was super but also my NCO promotion parade was a massive one too. Each one as you go along is the biggest one at that time. Also, the achieve- ments and opportunities I got through the Army were massive moments for me. What was the most challenging moment in your career so far? I would say the most physically challenging moment was my Stan- dard Course; it was really tough coming from CIS – the tactical stuff was a bit raw for me like anything when you're not at it full-time it can be hard to remember, but in fairness most CIS lads just get stuck in and get on with it anyway. PEOPLE OF THE DF CIARÁN OMAN NAME 43 AGE CAPT RANK DFHQ CIS COY CURRENT UNIT 2002 YEAR JOINED 2ND INF BN, DFHQ CIS COY UNITS SERVED 91ST INF BN UNMIL, 108TH INF BN UNIFIL, 119TH INF BN UNIFIL MISSIONS OVERSEAS INTERVIEW BY CPL MARTIN BENNETT PHOTOS BY CAPT CIARÁN OMAN Capt Oman served with the 91st Inf Bn UNMIL Liberia in 2004

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