An Cosantóir

8 | www.military JOINT INDUCTION TRAINING CENTRE 8 | 2ND RECRUIT PLATOON BY LT OISÍN GRIBBEN PHOTOS PROVIDED BY LT OISÍN GRIBBEN On the 26th of August 2024, 52 Recruits of the 2nd JITC Recruit Platoon entered through the gates of Gormanston Camp ready to embark on a career in the Irish Defence Forces. The Recruits, who came from all three service branches and hail from 14 counties throughout the Island of Ireland were beginning their 12 week induction training. In the initial weeks of training, Recruits were instructed on a variety of lessons including weapons training, lessons on foot drill and they also completed lectures on a range of military subjects. Throughout these initial stages of training, Recruits became socialised into the military environment, creating bonds with the fellow Recruits in their section, building their physical fitness and robustness whilst developing military discipline. During induction training, Recruits are tested on what they have learned in order to confirm their training. This testing is done through the STAR TEST system which acts as a major milestone for Recruits during the 12 weeks. As training progressed, Recruits completed STAR TESTS on a range of subjects including their weapon TOETs, Footdrill, Fieldcraft, CIS, Unarmed Combat and Military Skills. Upon completion of TOETs on both the Steyr Rifle and the GPMG, Recruits progressed onto their range week where they would complete the Recruit and ARP tables on both weapons. For many Recruits this was a highlight of their training. As the 12 week program advanced into the later stages, the Recruits began their tactical Phase of training. This included an introductory 24 Hour Exercise in the Cooley Mountains, with Recruits introduced to operating on the ground for the first time in their careers. This was followed by a section attack week, with the Recruits introduced to basic offensive tactics. This tactical phase culminated in a final tactical exercise in the Cooley Mountains where Recruits completed various patrols, ambushes and a raid on the final morning of the exercise. After 12 weeks of training on the 15th of November 2024, 40 Recruits of the 2nd JITC Recruit Platoon passed out in front of their families in Gormanston Camp. The JITC would like to wish all 2 Star Privates, 2 Star Airmen and Ordinary Rates the very best in their future careers. 3RD RECRUIT PLATOON BY LT ADAM RUSSELL On the 2nd of December 2024 the JITC welcomed the 03rd JITC Recruit Platoon. The platoon are led by their platoon commander LT Adam Russell and their platoon sergeant, SGT Joanne Woods both coming from the Air Corps. At induction, the platoon consisted of 33 Army and Air Corps Recruits hailing from 16 counties from across the island with recruits from Sweden and Romania joining them. On the 2nd of December the recruits began their 12 weeks of training learning the basics of foot and arms drill. In the early stages of training they will be instructed on the use of the STEYR AUG Rifle and the FN MAG GPMG before moving on to facing the harsh February weather for their cumulative 96 hour tactical training exercise and Section attack week with a company commanders challenge to top it off. On top of these challenges, the potential recruits will be exposed to skills and disciplines such as basic unarmed combat, CIS, Military fitness, and First aid response. The platoon is set to complete their initial 12 week training on the 7th of March 2025 before being sent to complete the 2-3 star course and join their Defence Forces colleagues as trained soldiers. We all wish the potential recruits the very best as they begin their training in Gormanston. Several recruits from this Recruit Platoon have been featured in the ongoing People of the DF series on the An Cosantóir Instagram page @ancosantoir An Cosantóir January / February 2025 www.military.ie/magazine

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