An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir May 2015 www.dfmagazine.ie 20 | REPoRt & PhotoS by SGT WAYNE FITZGERALD RDF'S FIRSt MECh RECRUItS O n 29th March 2015, 24 cheerful members of 1 RDF Recruit Platoon, 1 Mech Coy, celebrated the completion of their training on a dull and wet Sunday morning in the Curragh Camp, Co Kildare. These recruits started their training back in August 2014, under the new RDF sylla- bus, which encompasses the single-force concept. The training was conducted over numerous weeknights, seven weekends, and a final two weeks of fulltime training and exercises. The recruits had to develop strong discipline and learn military skills such as field craft, arms and foot drill and weapons training. Not everyone made it through the physically and mentally demanding training, as ten empty lockers, left by those who didn't finish the course, testify. Family and friends gathered to applaud the successful young soldiers for the hard work they had undergone and the determination they had displayed to get to this parade. MC for the event was RDF Cpl Mark Lande, 1 Arm Cav Sqn, who, despite the downpour, kept everyone informed as the ceremony progressed. Platoon Sgt Sarah-Jane Craddock called the platoon onto the parade, accompa- nied by piper Tpr Brian O'Connor (Tpt Gp, DFTC). Sgt Craddock then handed over to Platoon Commander Lt Ronan Bonner, who called on the Brigade colours carried by Lt Slattery. Lt Bonner then handed over to Comdt Declan Crummey, OC 1 Mech Coy. Presentations were made by Comdt Crummey to 'Best Shot' Pte Luke Healy, and 'Best Soldier' Pte Ger Bryan. Comdt Crummey congratulated the new soldiers and especially commended them on their volunteer status, before he was joined by Lt Col Cyril Whelan, Bde Adjt DFTC, and RDF Lt Col Maguire, DFTC, in presenting the new two-star privates with their rank markings. Finally, Lt Col Whelan addressed all those present, welcoming the new privates into the ranks of the Defence Forces and thanked their families for supporting them through their journey from civilian to soldier. The RDF training staff for the course comprised of Lt Bonner, Sgt Craddock, Sgt Mick Carroll, Cpl Aidan Massey (1 Sec Comd), Cpl Mark Lande (2 Sec Comd) and Cpl Garrett Corcoran (3 Sec Comd), who were assisted by their fulltime colleagues Capt Mark Brogan, Lt Danny Graham, Sgt Eddie O'Neill and numerous corporals and privates from 1 Mech Coy. Over the coming months the new privates will undergo further training while completing their three-star course – we wish them every success in their military careers. Vox Pops Cathal O'brien, Co Kildare: "I joined up because I had an in- terest in the DF, and I want to go on to be a Cadet, following some of my other family members. We did hours and hours of foot drill. The 24hr exercises were a real enjoyable experience. It was a fantastic decision to join up." Ryan Mann, Co wexford: "I joined to get an experience of mili- tary life, as I would like to go and join the PDF. An immensely enjoyable experience, NCOs and Officers were excellent. I work fulltime and found military life helped me. The 24hr exercises were fan- tastic, they were wet, cold but what we expected them to be. I encourage anyone interested to Ciara Conaty, Co Kildare: "I joined the RDF to get a taste of something different, I'm an outdoors person. I'm a medical student in NUI Galway. I live close to the Curragh so I see the military quite regular. It took a while to get used to male ratio work environment, but we worked well as a team." 1st RDF Recruit Pln, 1 Mech Coy including training staff

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