An Cosantóir

in reserve | 25 intelligence preparation of the battlefield (IPB), forms the integrated planning process that supports the commander and his staff in translating the mission into courses of action and orders. This instruction is delivered via presentation and tactical-exercises-without-troops (TEWTs), with the students being continually assessed on an individual and syndicate level while building levels of com- plexity, culminating in an exercise incorporating all aspects of the planning process, including delivery of battalion orders. The course ends with a two-hour general test based on all previously delivered material from both mod- ules. A 50% mark is required to pass, and students achieving a mark of B3 or higher are eligible to be invited back to instruct on subsequent courses. The RDF Standards Officers course is an opportuni- ty for experienced RDF officers to update their skills in line with current doctrine and develop an under- standing of the processes and techniques required to fulfil senior roles in battalion headquarters in combat operations. graduates of 2 RDF Officers Standards Course will carry out all battalion and brigade HQ staff and command roles in the 2 Eastern RDF Brigade exercise 'Coan Ford' in September of this year. They will also staff the battalion HQ in this year's annual RDF field assessments in the glen of Imaal in October. The instruction and assistance given by the OTW instructors helped greatly in achieving a very learner- friendly environment, which led to a very high stan- dard on the course. Students were impressed to see both RDF and PDF personnel delivering instruction to the same high standards demanded by the Military College, and is an excellent example of what can be achieved when integration is taken seriously. Twenty students (one female and 19 male) from RDFTA and all three brigades of the RDF successfully completed the course, which ended on a high with a meal, in dress uniform, in the Military College Of- ficers' Mess. Those attending the meal included Col T Doyle (Commandant, the Military College), Lt Col J Tolan (OC Inf Sch) and Lt Col P O'Leary (OC RDFTA). The availability of the resources of the Military Col- lege and the opportunity for graduates of the course to return as instructors represents a major step forward in the continuous development of officers in the Army Reserve. If the RDF is to survive through the current economic climate we need to be more reliant on our own resources and courses such as the RDF Standard Officers course demonstrate our ability to do so. A special word of thanks must be given to Lt Col J Byrne (Chief Instructor, Inf Sch) and the staff of the OTW who facilitated the course and extended every assistance. Also to Comdt C Miller (OTW) and Capt g Skinner (RDF) for planning and co-ordinat- ing the course. www.military.ie THE DEFENCE FORCES MAGAZINE

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