An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir November / December 2024 www.military.ie/magazine 18 | T he Defence Forces describes the delivery of training and education as a cornerstone of military life and therefore one of the most important outputs of the organisation. Accordingly, when not on operations, the primary focus of the Defence Forces is the developing and subsequent delivery of Training and Education. During 2024 these activities continued to be central to retaining and developing capability. In total, J7 consists of Evaluation & Lessons Learned section, External Education section, Finance & Procurement section, Fitness and Sports Policy section, The DF Registrar's Office and Training Planning & Management section. In general J7 had a productive year that enhanced and facilitated many DF activities. One of the highlights in the J7 calendar was the Defence Forces Small Arms Competition which took place in Kilworth, a prestigious event for DF members. Throughout 2024 the sections of J7 made a significant contribution to the DF's training and educational effort. Four of our sections have briefly outlined their achievements: EXTERNAL EDUCATION SECTION External Education section within J7 provides the DF with all forms of training and education that the organisation cannot organically provide itself. According to External Education's annual plan for external activities, Annex P, there was a 40% increase in the number of external activities undertaken by the Defence Forces between 2022 and 2024, rising from 456 to 638. 2024's figure of 638 external activities represents a budget outlay of €5.56 million. While Annex P 2025 is still in process and remains to be finalised, there is projected to be another increase in requested activities for the year ahead, again illustrating the appetite for external education opportunities within Óglaigh na hÉireann. Requested activities cover the full spectrum of military operations and education, from medical courses, to weapons courses, to legal courses, engineering courses, and a myriad of other areas. Given the increase in activity numbers and variety of courses, both on-island and abroad, there has never been more opportunities to undertake external education in the Defence Forces. TRAINING PLANNING MANAGEMENT SECTION (TPMS) Training is the lifeblood of any military, and TPMS is responsible for the planning and coordination of all internal, military training in the Defence Forces through the ATED. In early 2024, the training focus across the Defence Forces had to be significantly reconfigured in response to a direction from the Minister for Defence to significantly increase induction training across the land, air and maritime components. The Joint Induction Training Centre (JITC), set up in 2023, has greatly enhanced the ability of the Defence Forces to conduct induction training across the DF and this will be further boosted as the capacities in JITC increase. However, all locations and units across all services have played a critical role in training, supporting and sustaining the effort that has gone into training almost 700 inductees across all services in 2024. DEFENCE FORCES SPORTS AND POLICY SECTION Sport in the Defence Forces (DF) makes a vital contribution to DF esprit de corps, morale, personal development and ultimately, operational effectiveness. It plays an important part in overall military life, including recruiting and retention and, in many instances, sport provides excellent public visibility of the DF, contributing to positive public image. A few highlights throughout the sporting Calendar of 2024 • DF Men's & Women's 7 aside Gaelic Football - Galway • CISM Golf - Germany • DF Men's & Women's 7 aside Rugby Tournament – The Netherlands • DF Sailing – Beaufort Cup Cork • DF Outdoor Athletics – Kilkenny • Cunningham Cup Final – 3 Inf Bn vs 6 Inf Bn • DF Boxing – National Elite Championships – Dublin • 45th DF An Cosantóir – 10km DEFENCE FORCES PHYSICAL EDUCATION WORKING GROUP The Defence Forces P.E. Working Group was established as an expert group of qualified Physical Education, Exercise and Sports Science graduates to advise the Director of Defence Forces Training & Education on matters relating to Physical Education and Fitness in the Defence Forces. The PE Working Group meets on a quarterly basis since Oct 2006 and on other occasions as required to discuss and make recommendations on current and future physical training and education related issues in the Defence Forces. DF PEWG was tasked in 2024 with reviewing DF Fitness standards in accordance with CODF & DIP recommendation; 'Fitness Standards reviewed and updated' and with reference to 'Required changes of the fitness standards identified; Revised fitness standards, polices and processes developed'. PEWG reviews fitness standards in the DF by examining and viewing the issues from both the sports science and the HR & Gender CODF perspectives. As part of the scope of this process, the PEWG examined and reviewed inter alia: 1. DF Fitness tests as per DF Training Instruction (TI) 05/07, Defence Forces Fitness Test. 2. DF Combat Fitness tests. 3. DF Physical education (PE) pathways and professional Military Education (PME) in this area with specific regards to Physical Training Instructor (PTI) pathways. 4. Load carriage and associated developments. 5. DF PET and associated Culture, particularly in a training environment. 6. Wider DF Fitness application, support and education. J7 Training & Education Branch develops training policy in accordance with current doctrine, co-ordinates training and education across the Defence Forces, and monitors standards achieved in order to ensure the highest levels of operational capability, efficiency and effectiveness. This can only be achieved by the commitment and dedication of the J7 staff and the DF on a wider scale. J7 BY COL JOHNNY WHITTAKER TRAINING AND EDUCATION BRANCH J7 Staff Troops taking part in the Athletics event in Watershed Co.Kilkenny The Irish Defence Forces soccer team played the French Armed Forces The An Cosantóir 10k race in the Phoenix Park took place in October with all new categories including the loaded march

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