An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir May 2014 www.dfmagazine.ie 38 | Siobhán Flannery Signalwoman CiS gp DFTC I joined the Defence Forces in 2011 where I trained with the 25th Recruit Platoon in the btC, Athlone. During training we had a brief from 4 Fd CIS who explained to us the job they did. It was then that I knew what I wanted to do, so when we were asked for our prefer- ence for units to be posted to, I im- mediately stuck down CIS. Luckily I was accepted and posted straight to 4 Fd CIS where I completed the Communications Operators Course. After this, I applied for the CIS technicians Course. to be accepted to this meant a competition and selection process where we were narrowed down to eight successful candidates. That's where I am now, year one in Carlow IT, studying for a degree in electronic engineering as part of the CIS Tech Course. Initially the inten- sity and format of the course were a shock to the system; there is a lot of self-learning, studying and projects. But the army training has helped me to prioritise and approach the study in a structured way. When qualified after three years, I'll be able to fix the hardware on all DF issue communications equipment, from the handsets to the internal workings of the radios as well as specialising in IT. This means I'll also be involved with the likes of the helpdesks that are used to fix problems with networks and computer systems in the Army. During the summer there'll be work placements for all the students, I'll find myself back in the Defence Forces, getting practical experience in our systems. I'd love to go overseas, as it is part of the CIS Corps structure, so for me to gain Technician Grade Six, it must be done. But it will have to wait until after the course. Being apart of the Defence Forces is something I always wanted to be. When I joined it was straight after the embargo; it was too good an opportunity to miss! Since I was eight I was always involved in the GAA, both football and camogie. It's part of the community and life where I live in Offaly. I used soccer as a hobby during the winter to keep fit. Right now my train- ing, around three times per week, is a welcome break from the study, " the army training has helped me to prioritise and approach the study in a structured way." it helps to clear the head. Between football and camogie, my favourite has always been camogie; we were the Junior and Intermediate All- Ireland winners in 2009 and 2010. However I returned to football in 2012 and I was made captain of the Offaly Junior Football Team in 2013. It was the same year that we won the Junior All-Ireland, but it meant hard work, training up to six times per week to get there. I also play football, camogie and soccer with the Defence Forces. This year, with my col- lege course, I had to make the choice between my two main sports. I chose camogie, where I play mid- field and we're aiming for the Senior All-Ireland this year!

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