An Cosantóir May / June 2026 www.military.ie/magazine
28 |
Can you give us a brief description of your
career so far?
I joined the Defence Forces at 18 years of age in October
2004. I did my recruit training in Aiken Barracks Dundalk,
and my 3-star course in Monaghan Barracks. On
completion of training, I was posted to A Coy 27 Bn. As a
young soldier I completed a variety of support weapons
courses within the Battalion. I completed the driver's
course, which enabled me to go forward and qualify as a
MOWAG crewman, later up-skilling to the MOWAG DRWS
variant. My first overseas tour of duty was as a rifleman,
with the 33rd INF GP KFOR. I have also deployed
overseas as an Mowag crewman to UNIFIL and UNDOF.
I spent 11 years working in the battalion Operations /
Training office, however in 2021, I got the opportunity to
go back to full time education and complete my leaving
certificate. It was during this time, I completed a QQI level
5 in Food Preparation, which really sparked my interest
in cooking. After completing my leaving certificate, I
enrolled in DKIT's Culinary Arts programme. For the
next 2 years, I worked as a full-time trainee chef in the
cookhouse of Aiken Barracks, while studying in college, in
the evenings, and weekends. In 2025, I graduated with a
higher Certificate in Culinary Arts. I hope to complete the
Catering Conversion Course later this year.
What made you decide to do the cooks
course?
After 11 years in OPS / Training, I really just wanted
a change. I wanted to try something different, but I
wasn't exactly sure what. I really enjoyed the QQI Food
Preparation course, and after spending a few months
as a trainee chef in the kitchen in Aiken Barracks, I knew
this was what I wanted to do. My husband is also a
serving member of the Defence Forces, and because he
was based in the DFTC at the time, and the challenges
around childcare, I was unable to complete the army
cooks course. One of the great things about being in the
Defence Forces is that there are multiple opportunities
available to personnel, when it comes to education
and training. I was very fortunate to have gotten the
opportunity to pursue my career goal, of becoming a
chef, in the way that I did.
PEOPLE OF THE DF
NAME:
RANK:
OVERSEAS DEPLOYMENTS:
SERVICE:
CURRENT UNIT:
TINA MCKEEVER
PTE
3
21 YEARS
27 INF BN
On
the
range
for
ARPs
