An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir March 2016 www.dfmagazine.ie 46 | O riginally from Moynalty, Co Meath, I took a year out after school to train fulltime in the modern pentathlon (swimming, running, shooting, fencing and show jumping), which was originally a military sport and I met many military personnel through it. I went on to study at the University of Bath, which is the British Olympic team's centre of excellence. I represented Ireland at junior Euro- pean and junior World Championship levels as well as a senior World Cup. I was very proud to represent Ireland, but unfortunately I had to retire through injury at age 23. At university, I studied European Studies, French and Russian, which included a year studying in Russia and France. I was particularly interested in politics. I went on to complete my MA in Business Man- agement in UCL, Limerick. After university I applied for a cadetship in 2009 and joined 86 Cadet Class aged 24. I was commissioned in 2011 and posted to the 27 Inf Bn, Aiken Bks, Dundalk, as a platoon commander in Sp Coy, where we ran numerous infantry light support weapons courses in addition to normal security duties. I also ran basic swimming lessons for non-swimmers in the unit, using my pentathlon experience. I was then posted to B Coy in Gormanston Camp. In 2014 I underwent a tough six-week Infantry YOs course, which was very well run, with a great emphasis on learning. We also had a great group and bonded well. In 2015, I underwent the CIMIC course in UNTSI in the Curragh with a view to getting the opportunity to serve overseas as a CIMIC officer. Back with 27 Inf Bn, I was appointed platoon commander for 51 Recruit Platoon. I had a great NCO training team, with Sgt Tommy Macken as my platoon sergeant, and we started the 17 weeks training with 37 recruits and passed out 30 soldiers. This was a challenging but positive experience and it was great to see the recruits' development from civilian to soldier. We emphasised selflessness to them and they embraced it; developing a great at- titude and bonding very well as a platoon. In late 2015 my application for overseas was successful, and I was appointed Pl Comd, 1 Pl, A Coy, 52 Inf Gp, UNDOF. We have been in phase 1 of training since the start of the year, con- ducting unit admin, CBRN, ranges, medicals and passports applications. The platoon is made up of personnel from seven different locations and has been a challenge to coordinate. Phase 2 will focus on tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs), getting platoon drills/C-IED standardised. We will spend a few weeks operating as a mechanised infantry company out of Aiken Bks before phase 3 culmi- nates with the mission readiness exercise in the Glen of Imaal at the end of March. I'm looking forward to the mission and the opportunity and very proud to be going to serve my country overseas. My grandfather, Séan Forde, served with the 2nd Battalion, Dublin Brigade, Irish Volunteers' during the Easter Rising (see article on p30); a hugely significant event in our family history that we are extremely proud of. I particularly admire that he stood up to be counted when it mattered most and that's something I hope to emu- late in my career. Growing up we visited the GPO and Arbour Hill every Easter to commemorate the sacrifices that were made. Because of my grandfather's service, my father was very emotional when I was a flag officer at the annual 1916 commemoration in Arbour Hill a few years ago. My family are very proud that I'm serving, and I think my grandfather would also be proud. I have volun- teered along with many others to read out the procla- mation on Easter Sunday. 46 | name HugH Forde rank unit Lieutenant 27 inF Bn /52 inF gp undoF by SGT WAYNE FITZGERALD "Cadetships change you for the better and I'm very grateful to the DF for that." An Cosantóir March 2016 www.dfmagazine.ie

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