An Cosantóir

40 | Eamon Cahill Capt G7 Training Cell, 1 Bde HQ I am a staff officer in 1 Bde Training Cell. The cell consists of a lieutenant colonel, a commandant, two captains (training & BPEO), a sergeant and a corporal. It is our job to co-ordinate, support and assist all training within the brigade; that includes brigade training courses, LFTT, Brigade Lessons Learned Cell, competitions and assistance to Defence Forces courses. 1 Bde covers an extensive area from the south-west to the west-coast of Galway and contains four main barracks: Collins Bks, Cork, Sarsfield Bks, Limerick, Stephens Bks, Kilkenny, and Dún Uí Mhaoilíosa, Galway. Our main training areas are Kilworth Camp, Fort Davis and Bere Island, all in Co Cork. It's a big area and there's always a lot going on. The director of training (D-J7) co-ordinates all training within the Defence Forces, and G7 is responsible for all training at brigade level. The job of co-ordinating support to training is always challenging, as within the brigade at any one time you could have recruits in training in one barracks, a support weapons course being run in another, a cavalry exercise in Kilworth or an engineer watermanship course on Bere Island, and so on. The G7 Cell supports unit commanders by assisting with any needs or support they require, such as training ammunition, personnel, or instructor support, and access to training areas. There are also several RDF posts, including Clifden, Skibbereen, Tralee Bks, Waterford Military Post, and Wexford Military Post. We are now operating with the single-force concept, where RDF personnel are now assigned directly to reserve companies or platoons within PDF units. Unit commanders are now directly responsible for the training of reserve personnel within their units and we assist and support RDF training through PDF commanders. The job takes us all around the brigade for things such as brigade training inspections and competitions, where we ensure the highest standards are being maintained. We are also involved in coordinating the brigade shooting competitions, brigade courses, mortar concentrations, and so on. For example, in July 1 Bde held its GPMG, Steyr, and pistol competitions. We assist in such competitions to encourage units to keep up regular training and maintain high skillsets under the direction of D-J7. It is an excellent job: I really enjoy it and there are certainly different challenges every day and I'm lucky to work with some great characters. "It is an excellent job: I really enjoy it and there are certainly different challenges every day and I'm lucky to work with some great characters" An Cosantóir September 2013 www.dfmagazine.ie

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