An Cosantóir

V Pops ox | 23 Sgt Gavin Coventry (Instructor) "Over the years we've had cadets with overseas service, NCO courses, Mowag driver courses, HGV driver courses, and so on. But during their cadetship we have to treat and instruct them all the same. For example, someone with a driver's qualification won't be called on to use it. The training is hard enough as it is without throwing another job at them. However, because we know what courses and experience they have, we expect them to keep up that high standard, which generally they do. Cadet Sweeney has excelled in every way and is now Class Captain, and after seeing Cadet Tierney putting in a section attack in Kilworth I'd say she'd pass a Ranger Wing selection course." Cadet David Finnegan (formerly 103 Sqn, No 1 Ops Wg) "I was in the Air Corps for six years, during which I completed my aircraft maintenance technician apprenticeship. I have a private pilot's licence and my main interest in becoming an officer is because I've always wanted to be a pilot. "It's been a long ten months in the Curragh and although the training has been tough I've enjoyed it. Hopefully, I'll be leaving these guys after our summer leave to go back to Baldonnel for ground-school flight training in the Flight Training School. I'm really looking forward to that!" Cadet Siobhán Tierney (formerly 2 Cav Sqn) "I was in 2 Cav Sqn for two years and completed a ceremonial bike course. I always wanted to be an officer and applied twice previously for a cadetship. When I didn't get it the first time I applied for the recruit competition; either way I was joining up. "The training so far has been tough but enjoyable. My previous service definitely helped in the initial phase and the academic side is ok too. But we are now entering more leadership training, which is new to all of us. For example, I'd done section-in-attackpreviously as a private but when you have the responsibility as section commander or 2i/c it's completely different." Cadet Daniel Graham (formerly 6 Inf Bn and 2 Fd Eng Coy) "I did a degree in engineering in DIT but always wanted to join the army. After training in Athlone I served in Cavan and Dublin before I felt the best way to utilise my qualification fully was to apply for a cadetship. "I'm getting on grand although it's tough going. You'd be fooling yourself if you thought it was going to be easy just because you have previous service, although it definitely stands to you. After two years' service you begin to know how the army system works; you understand that the NCOs and officers are training you to get through the cadetship, whereas if you had no military experience an intense regime like this would be a major shock to the system. "The cadetship focuses on teamwork so you use your experience to help others. However, now we're moving into platoonlevel training and none of us have done that before." No matter their background, on commissioning these cadets are going to be leaders in the Defence Forces and the instructors constantly remind them of this. During a night attack in Kilworth a cadet in a command appointment was wavering due to tiredness after days on the ground. After spotting several mistakes instructor Sgt Mark Gareth said to the cadet: "In a year you'll be a platoon commander. What would you expect of a private or corporal under your command? Come on, work through the tiredness! Work through the cold!" Cadet Cathal Sweeney (formerly 4 Cav Sqn) "I was formed-up to deploy overseas to UNIFIL when I got word that I had got a cadetship. I was delighted as I always wanted a career as an officer although I had completed a degree in anthropology and sociology in NUI Maynooth. Before joining 89th Cadet Class I had applied three times before, as I was determined to get the chance. When I got a place in a recruit platoon in Athlone I was delighted and I really enjoyed the training. I did a basic recce course and a truck driver's course while serving in 4 Cav Sqn, which was a great unit. It was the CO there that recommended me for a cadetship. "I've no regrets making the change. Although it's very difficult and challenging, especially when you're a little bit older, you know it will be worth it in the long run. Having undergone military training before we know what the light is at the end of the tunnel." www.military.ie the defence forces magazine

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