An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir September / October 2024 www.military.ie/magazine 10 | I accept that we do have a retention issue. The Head of Strategic HR is currently working on a retention strategy and part of this strategy may well include a retention office although I do not want to pre-empt any outcomes at this stage. Concurrently, we are creating family friendly initiatives overseas and on island. Bottom line up front, I don't want to see anybody leaving the organisation for reasons such as you just described. There are a lot of demands on us as an organisation. Many people in our organisation have very legitimate reasons for not being in a position to deploy overseas and I'm very conscious of the fact that the organisation needs to facilitate that. Notwithstanding that, we are a military organisation with a command and control structure and you can't circumvent that by having alternative means of decision making. There is guidance for commanders around this issue when an appeal comes in and whether to uphold an appeal or otherwise. I am always disappointed when somebody leaves our organisation. When I get the opportunity to talk to people who are thinking of leaving I always try to get them to reflect on the benefits and flexibility which the DF offers. We should not lose sight of how lucky we are to have colleagues and friends in our workplace that can support and help you in times of stress and difficulty. The DF has suffered a lot in the public lately, and a lot of members have felt a bit voiceless. What do you say to the excellent people in the organisation who felt a bit discouraged over the last 2 years given some of the negative media stories? This is one of the key areas I address in my Chats with the Chief and I believe it's very important that people understand the standard that we uphold. When incorrect stories are published, we do our best to correct it. However, the facts are that for every negative story that is written about the DF there are two and a half positive stories. We have a tendency to focus on the negative stories because they impact us, we take them personally, particularly when there's truth to them. Even if we are hurt by the actions of our own we must use them as opportunities to refocus us and push us to be better personally and as an organisation. A recent survey conducted in August shows us that the perception and trust of the Defence Forces has increased. The number of citizens that would recommend a career in the Defence Forces has also increased and the number of people who would recommend a career to females in the Defence Forces has increased despite what we perceive as a very negative period of publicity We remain one of the most trusted organisations in the state. I take a high degree of comfort from those figures, but I will not let it become a reason to sit on our laurels and think everything is ok in the organisation. Each negative story based on inappropriate behaviours or actions by some in our organisation is something that we should all abhor and should never try to defend or justify. We will always implement fair procedure and due process to ensure that the correct actions are taken at an appropriate time and appropriate place. Rest assured that the Chief of Staff, the General Staff and the DF Board will always speak and advocate on behalf of the men and women of Óglaigh na hÉireann, either behind the scenes or directly in public. This will always be at a time and place that is appropriate and that upholds the standards that we expect from the uniform that we wear. I will not denigrate that by being reactionary to any inappropriate, uninformed or factually inaccurate commentary. Behind the uniform, you have a family, like everyone in the organisation. You're a father and a husband. How do you balance the roles? I am very fortunate to have three wonderful children and a very supporting wife. Like many others in the Defence Forces I have served overseas, conducted security and operational duties and of course undergone training courses which all entail time away from family. All of us in the DF are only able to succeed and achieve with the support of our families and we couldn't do this job without them. I am no different to every member of the DF in this regard. I am very privileged and very honoured to be Chief of Staff. Whilst it is very rewarding it is also a very busy role. I am very cognisant that I am able to be successful because of the support and resilience that I have at home, in particular from my wife. I am very conscious of the pressure that service in the DF puts on families, no more so than those that are serving with 124 Infantry Battalion. Some of our personnel haven't been home on leave as a consequence of the ongoing security situation. I am mindful of not only them but of their families who had the expectation of seeing their loved ones and have been disappointed. This is a difficult and stressful time for our deployed personnel and in particular for their families and I want to acknowledge that. In May 2025 you will move to your new appointment as Chair of the EU Military Committee. What do you hope your legacy will be? I am very grateful for being appointed as the Chairman of the EUMC. That the Government agreed to nominate me for the position in the first instance was a huge honour. And the fact that I've been chosen by my peers in a secret ballot to succeed the current chairman was a great honour for Ireland and for the DF. The new SDR Radio which is due to be rolled out in the coming months

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