An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir November 2015 www.dfmagazine.ie 36 | W hen I finished school at 17 it was hard to find work in my hometown of Temple- more, Co Tipperary. A part-time job in a joinery shop didn't have many prospects so I decided to follow two of my uncles and join the Defence Forces. I enlisted in the Curragh in the General Training Depot (GTD) on 24th January 1978, and following recruit training I was posted to 6 Fd Sigs Coy in Ceannt Bks where I became a driver with the unit after completing an MT Drivers course. In 1980 I travelled overseas for the first time with 47 Inf Bn, UNIFIL, in Lebanon, as a signals driver. I enjoyed the tour and became a regular visitor to Lebanon in the years that followed. My second tour came the following year as switchboard operator with 5 IrComp. In January 1983 I underwent a Pot NCOs course and was promoted to corporal in 6 Fd Sigs Coy, before going back to Lebanon as an NCO with 56 Inf Bn Sigs Pl. In 1985, I completed an Orderly Room Sgts course and became Orderly Room Sgt in 6 Fd Sigs Coy. My fourth, fifth and sixth trips to Lebanon followed with 61 Inf Bn (1987), 63 Inf Bn (1988), and 66 Inf Bn (1989). In 1990 I underwent a Std NCOs course, which was followed by my seventh and eighth trips to Lebanon (25 IRCOMP, and 32 IRCOMP). I was promoted to sergeant in February 1996 and at the same time began what would become a long career in computers when I completed a CAPS course, followed by an OIS Instructor course in 1997. I was posted to the, then, School of Admin as an instructor in 1998, where one of my main tasks was setting up and organising the central admin for ECDL for Defence Forces personnel. I completed numerous computer courses including Advanced Amipro, Advanced MS Office, MS Front Page Web Design, and with my thirst for IT knowledge I was constantly undergoing additional online computer training. In 2007 I attended Carlow IT and received a national certificate (HETAC) in Information and Technology, Train- ing and Support. In 2010 I attended NUI Galway where I received a national certificate (HETAC) in Training and Education. I am also a Certified Training Professional. In January 2008, I travelled overseas again, this time as A/Coy Sgt employed as Webmaster with G6 cell. In 2009 I was asked to fill in as Webmaster for military.ie to maintain and update the website, which was only in its infancy, in addition to my duties in the School. In 2010 the post became full-time and I was attached to the Information Office, PR Branch. The long process of developing military.ie started, and the soft launch of the site followed in February 2011. In 2013, the DF launched IKON, a SharePoint information and knowledge management system, and I completed the Information Knowledge Management (IKM) power-users course in 2014 and the SharePoint 2013 Administrators course. On a daily basis I upload information to the DF newsfeeds; maintain the cosmetic look of IKON; and assist on various online projects with units who have a requirement for individual interaction with IKON. I also assist PR Branch, including An Cosantóir, by creating backdrops, adverts and posters, and occasionally acting as a photographer. To help me with the additional PR tasks, I completed a diploma in Desktop Publishing, a DF Photography course, a diploma in Social Media Marketing, and a Basic Pho- tographers course with the Shaw Academy. I plan to remain serving in the DF until I have to re- tire and build on the work I have already completed with PR Branch to spread the DF's 'Defend, Protect, Support' message. Michael Burke Pr Branch, DFhQ Sergeant

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