An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir February 2016 www.dfmagazine.ie 38 | W hen I finished post primary school in 1975, I got a job working as an indus- trial photographer in rotary screens, which was based in Newbridge. I worked there for a number of years, but by the early 80s Ire- land was in the throes of a recession and people were being made redundant. I always had an interest in the military since I was a young boy, so I decided to enlist. On the 23rd August 1983 I enlisted in the Curragh Camp and underwent my recruit training with B Coy, 3 Inf Bn (The Bloods). On completion of my 3 star course I was asked to join the Battalion Pipe Band under Sgt Mick Carroll, because of my interest in music as I was involved locally as a church organist. I com- pleted a six-month Pipers course in the Army School of Music and a Senior Pipers course in 1985. I have continued to play the pipes ever since. In April 1986 I travelled overseas to Lebanon with the 59 Inf Bn, UNIFIL, which I enjoyed seeing another country. The January of the following year I completed a Potential NCOs course and was promoted to pipe band Cpl in HQ Coy of the 3 Inf Bn. While not performing band engagements, I was employed as a Ledger Clerk in the QMs Office. On completion of a Standard NCOs course in 1994 I was detached to the Pharmacy of the Curragh Military Hospital, and promoted to Sgt in October 1996. I spent 6 happy years in the Medical Corps assisting the Pharmacist and sharing responsibility for accoun- tancy of all medical supplies and equipment for the hospital. I completed a CQMS course in the School of Administration in 1999 and was promoted to CQMS in the Ordnance School based in Clancy Bks. I wasn't stationed in Dublin long as Clancy Bks was soon closed, in De- cember 1999 the Ord Sch moved to the DFTC Curragh Camp and I have served as the school CQMS since then. As part of a very busy Logistics team, I am responsible for the day to day running of a large and varied Ord Tech account and Mu- seum account. The school is responsible for the training of all ordnance corps per- sonnel in their various roles as Armourers, Artificers, EOD Operators and Armourer, Artificer, Instruments (AAI's). I am responsible for the issuing, maintenance and procurement of all tools and equipment, weapons, explosives, and ordnance equipment. The school has one of the best-equipped workshops in the country. Being responsible for the procurement, accountancy and maintenance of all the workshop machinery and equipment, which includes the cutting, fitting and welding shop, it keeps me very busy. Since 2004 the Ord Sch has ran EOD/CIED and other courses for interna- tional students from all over the world and is held in the highest regard for it's expertise from military and civilian agencies. I am also responsible for the logistics in running these courses i.e. feeding, accommodation, equipment, transport etc. On a daily basis I am responsible for all barrack services items issued to the school, and the overall upkeep of the school building including heating, lighting and plumbing, while overseeing cleanliness, energy man- agement and waste management. I continue to play music both in and outside the DF, for many occasions including stand down parades, cadet commissionings, funerals, St. Patrick's and Christmas cel- ebrations and I have travelled to many parts of the world because of this. I have served almost 33-years in the Defence Forces and have enjoyed the varied and interesting work and challenges that it brings. I have made many good friends and col- leagues in that time. I plan to stay in the DF until my retirement at sixty, but until then, I will continue to enjoy my time in the Irish Defence Forces. DaviD Ussher OrD schOOl, DFTc cQMs

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