An Cosantóir

LEADING THE WAY ARTICLE BY LT LORCÁN PRICE An Cosantóir January / February 2025 www.military.ie/magazine 18 | T he 06th Army Reserve Potential Officer course concluded in November 2024 and saw thirteen new officers commissioned to Reserve Units in 1 Brigade, 2 Brigade and DFTC. The course commenced following a thorough selection process consisting of nomination, file review and interviews for applicants from across the country. The successful applicants were drawn from Infantry, Transport, Artillery, Cavalry and Military Police units bringing a diverse range of skills and perspectives to the class. The students began training at the Cadet School in September 2023. Through a combination of classroom-based learning, practical activities, distance learning and full-time training, the course was designed to develop students' character, competence, and capacity to function as junior leaders in the Defence Forces. The course started with platoon level tactics moving quickly to a 72-hour exercise in the Glen of Imaal in November 2023 designed to assess students on platoon level offensive operations. The tempo and robust nature of this training came as a shock to some students less familiar with infantry operations, however the class soon gelled into a cohesive team as students enhanced the skills needed to take up leadership roles and command appointments in a tactical environment. The training was physically demanding, emphasising the need to effectively employ skills and abilities in a pressurised environment. Crawling through wet fields and trenches in cold, wet weather, synonymous with the Wicklow Mountains in November, quickly contributed to building bonds of camaraderie and friendship amongst the class. In tandem with the emerging esprit de corps, was the development of leadership qualities which were to form a large part of every aspect of the training on the course. Significant emphasis was placed on the need to transform into leaders by "making a decision" and taking responsibility for that decision and its consequences. The concept and reality of 'leadership' was a major theme throughout the Potential Officer course. The class explored the theoretical element of leadership within civilian settings and within the Defence Forces, as well as the practical application of leading troops in a variety of scenarios. Sgt Nichola Kiernan led the class through a thorough series of modules on leadership, utilising her considerable expertise on the topic. The honing of skills necessary to be effective leaders was done considering the important principles set out in our Defence Forces Values and Ethos. Every activity undertaken during the course required students to put into practice the leadership lessons imparted by our instructors. An example of applying theory to practice was evident during the Range Management block of the course. A Range Control Officer (RCO) is responsible for the safety of all persons on the range, firers on the firing point, instructor staff and civilians who may be in the danger area. Values such as integrity, respect, and moral courage, combined with the requirements of leadership are critical in discharging the serious responsibility involved in conducting live firing of weapons on the range. Students were challenged by various scenarios where they were required to demonstrate that they understood the crucial steps that must be undertaken to protect the safety of all personnel on the range. RCO training brought home the lesson that becoming a leader in the Defence Forces means taking accountability for your actions in directing personnel under your command. ARMY RESERVE WELCOMES THIRTEEN NEWLY COMMISSIONED OFFICERS

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