An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir November / December 2024 www.military.ie/magazine www.military J1 BRANCH CEREMONIAL BY COMDT SARAH CONLON The Defence Forces participated in over 30 significant military and State ceremonial events in 2024. State ceremonial honours were afforded on the occasion of the Official Visit to Ireland of The Chinese Premier in January and the Official Visit to Ireland by The President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in October. Ceremonies were conducted in Farmleigh and Áras an Uachtaráin for these visits. The State Funeral of Former Taoiseach Mr John Bruton (RIP) was held in February 2024, full state honours were afforded to the former Taoiseach. The Defence Forces participated in the annual State commemoration ceremonies, including the commemoration of the 108th anniversary of the Easter Rising at the GPO, O'Connell Street; the 1916 Leaders Commemoration at Arbour Hill and the National Day of Commemoration in the Royal Hospital Kilmainham. The Defence Forces participated in the National Famine Commemoration, held this year in Edgeworthstown, Co. Longford in May which was attended by An Taoiseach. Units across the Defence Forces participated in ten ceremonies at Áras an Uachtaráin where a total of 22 Ambassadors presented their Credentials of Office to Uachtaráin na hiÉreann. The Naming and Commissioning Ceremony for two Naval Service inshore patrol vessels was held at Haulbowline Naval Base in September. Two Ministerial Reviews for overseas contingents took place to mark the Battalions departure for peacekeeping duties with UNIFIL. The Ministerial Review of the 124 Infantry Battalion took place in Cathal Brugha Barracks in April, while the Ministerial Review of the 125 Infantry Battalion occurred in Custume Barracks Athlone in October. Commissioning Ceremonies for the 99th Cadet Class, 6th Army Reserve Potential Officer Course and other Direct Entry Officers took place throughout the year. The Defence Forces Remembrance Ceremony was held at The National Memorial, Merrion Square in November to remember the eight members of the Defence Forces who lost their lives in the past 12 months. As part of this ceremony the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence, the Chief of Staff and families of the deceased laid wreaths at The National Memorial. Unfortunately, due to extremely bad weather, Defence Forces Veterans' Day was unable to go ahead in late September. We look forward to celebrating this important event in 2025. Throughout 2024, a variety of other ceremonial and support duties were performed across the country by members of the Defence Forces in support of State and other ceremonial events. COMO BY CAPT TOMMY MONAHAN The Commissioned Officers Management Office (COMO) is responsible for overseeing all HR practices for Commissioned Officers within the Defence Forces. By ensuring effective management of officer movements, overseas selection, career development and promotions the office plays a vital role in providing the skilled and motivated leadership team that strives to achieve the organisation's strategic goals and supports operational readiness across the land, sea, and air domains. In 2024 COMO continued its Human Resource (HR) planning in support of the CODF transformation appointments. The 2024 Commission appointments, approved in September, will see the creation of further permanent appointments in the establishment in addition to the creation of temporary planning appointments to support transformation. Promotion competitions conducted in 2024 addressed the ongoing requirement to fill vacancies in the establishment, at Brigadier General rank and below, and also addressed a number of specialist roles, including boards convened for the Naval Service, DF Legal Service

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