An Cosantóir

DF VALUES CHAMPIONS 2023 An Cosantóir January / February 2025 www.military.ie/magazine The Values Awards are presented on an annual basis to personnel nominated by their peers for espousing the DF values during the preceding calendar year. The nominations are examined by a selection panel, which is chaired by Assistant Chief of Staff, and its members are SNCOs drawn from three (3) services, and each formation. The panel secretary is an NCO drawn from Public Relations Branch. The person currently filling that role is Sgt Rena Kennedy. Sgt Kennedy was the brain child behind the values awards, and has worked tirelessly over the last decade to inculcate the awards into Defence Forces psyche, ensuring we recognise those that display our values during specific incidents, or in how they perform their day to day tasks/interactions. The selection panels task is to review all nominations, and recommend to the Defence Forces Board suitable recipients of an annual award, for the six (6) values categories and an overall values winner. At the 2024 awards ceremony, which saw those selected winners from 2023 awarded and recognised for their outstanding actions/contributions, and with their family/loved one present we were honoured to have Niall Quinn attend as guest speaker to present the awards alongside the Chief of Staff. MORAL COURAGE AB Sean Dineen, NS During recruit training in October 2023, AB Dineen intervened after an incident had occurred between two other recruits. His actions were that of a positive bystander and was in keeping with the Values of Óglaigh na hÉireann. AB Dineen's intervention had the impact of creating a more positive group dynamic. As part of his induction training he had received a brief on interpersonal relations, the Dignity Charter and on DF Values. He acted in accordance with upholding the Values, in particular, Moral Courage. RESPECT A/FSgt Mark Barker, CIS Squadron AC A/FSgt Barker fulfils the role of Admin Flight Sergeant and maintains a watchful eye for each individual's personal service matters with regard to duty pay, allowances, acting and substitution cases and does so for all peers, subordinates and superiors. All ranks within CIS Squadron trust his fairness and have confidence in his value of Respect for all individuals regardless of any biases. In the absence of an RSM A/ FSgt Barker maintains unit morale, good order and discipline and continually reminds personnel of their own responsibilities towards the organisation and actively endeavours to maintain high standards within his unit. He is seen as forthright, direct but consistently respectful. He repeatedly demonstrates respect for others while highlighting areas for administrative improvement. 10 | A/FSgt Mark Barker pictured with his award for Respect AB Sean Dineen pictured with his award for Moral Courage

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