An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir September / October 2025 www.military.ie/magazine www.military TRAINING FOR TRAINING FOR T he Potential Non-Commissioned Officer (PNCO) Course is a cornerstone of leadership development within the Irish Defence Forces. Designed to challenge and transform, the course equips Army Reserve and Naval Service Reserve personnel with the skills, discipline, and resilience required to lead. This year's AR PNCO Course brought together a diverse cohort of 20 students from across Infantry, Cavalry, Artillery, and Medical Corps, each embarking on a journey of personal and professional growth. The course commenced with prelim assessments in drill, weapons and map reading followed by a PT session and SD 1 inspection. The course quickly progressed into the Military Instructor Training (MIT) phase which took place in Custume Barracks. This block focused on introduction lessons to Military Instructor Training, the Learning Process, Irish words of Command, what is Helping – Values and Skills, Essential Instructor Skills – Effective Delivery, Group Dynamics (Situational leadership), Ethical Leadership, Presentation Skills, Map Reading Skills. Delivery of classroom lessons and arms drill fast became muscle memory before students progressed their practical assessments. Throughout the course the Orderly Sergeant (OS) role was rotated between PNCO students providing an opportunity to refine their skills of leading and commanding a body of troops, and the opportunity to practice the Defence Forces values of respect, loyalty, selflessness, physical courage, moral courage and integrity. Distance learning formed a large part of the coursework with students assigned taskings between each weekend of the course. These included presentation topics, route planning and route card preparation and the preparation of instruction plans. Students balanced these responsibilities with civilian commitments, often working late into the night to meet deadlines. This phase tested their time management and dedication. As 2024 moved to 2025, the course switched location to Cathal Brugha Barracks in Dublin. Theory was soon put in the practice as the students commenced their first navigation exercise followed by Military law and Human Resource Management lectures. Marksmanship is an essential skill for all soldiers regardless of their role or Corps. PNCO students covered significant time in the classroom focusing on marksmanship theory and coaching on the range culminating in a practical coaching session on Gormanston range which focused on marksmanship principles and enhancing coaching skills when training new recruits. This was followed by a practical navigation assessment on Sorrel Hill near Blessington Lakes. The course culminated in a two-week full-time tactical training block held in April, beginning with the Defensive and Patrol phase and ending with the Section in Attack phase. Patrolling principles were revised including movement, formations, use of scouts, field signals, preparation and delivery of Orders. Patrol bases to include site selection, base drills and discipline, the Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, ARTICLE BY CPL HARRY O'MAHONY 7 INF BN 06 Army Reserve PNCO Course 12 | Pte Nicklin and Tpr Dunne conducting a recce COMMAND COMMAND

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