An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir April 2016 www.dfmagazine.ie 34 | I grew up in Dundrum, Dublin, and went to school at Muckross Park College in Donny- brook. One day when I was young, a car ac- cident occurred outside my house and I felt help- less not knowing what to do to help the injured. It was this that drove me to choose a profession in nursing after I finished school. I started my training to be a registered general nurse in St Laurence's Hospital, better known as the Richmond Hospital, the year I left school. It was a tough three years, with long days studying and training and only one day off a week. When I finished my training in 1987 I got a job in Beaumont Hospital as a staff nurse. While working there I was told by a personal contact about a matron's vacancy in Mary Mount Inter- national School in Rome. This gave me a great opportunity to work abroad in a management and leadership role, which was not available in nursing at that time. I worked in Rome for two years, and was directly responsible for the health and welfare of girls from all over the world, including children of diplomats; it was an amazing experience. In 1990 I decided to return home but unfortunately there were no nursing jobs available. While searching, I received a phone call from the Eli Lilly pharmaceutical company to say that someone I knew from Rome had recommended me for the position of sales rep. I had an interview and secured the job. A few years later at Mass one day I learned that the FCÁ were taking in females, when our local parish priest, Father Breslin, a former member of the Chaplaincy Service, announced: "They have found you boots girls, you can join the FCÁ!" I was interested as my father had served with 44 Inf Bn in Cathal Brugha Bks, as had my uncle and some other local guys. In July 1993 I enlisted in B Coy, 21 Inf Bn, in the Coastguard Station, Dun Laoghaire. (It was here that I met my future husband, who was also serving in 21 Inf Bn.) After having attained the rank of corporal I was selected for an officer course and became one of the first females commissioned in a reserve infantry unit in November 1997. In 2002 I resigned from my job as a pharmaceuticals rep to stay home and I set up my own clothes business. With the re-org of the Reserve in 2005, my unit was amalgamated with 20 Inf Bn to become 62 Inf Bn. I was promoted to captain in 2008 and became Assistant Adjt, Bde HQ Res. In 2009 I returned to 62 Inf Bn as Adjutant. I had always wanted to return to nursing, and in 2009 I took the opportunity to do so when I took up a nurs- ing appointment working with the elderly in Simpson's Hospital, Dundrum. The next Reserve re-org in 2013 amalgamated us with 7 Inf Bn, which has seven companies, four PDF and three RDF. I was promoted again in October 2015, making me the first female infantry commandant in the RDF. I am currently a staff officer (SO) in 7 Inf Bn HQ, acting as the link between the three RDF companies and the bat- talion commander. I am also Gender Focal Point Person for 7 Inf Bn. The PDF companies of 7 Inf Bn have embraced the RDF companies and vice-versa, which make the single- force concept work. We are now utilised and fully involved like never before in operations, exercises and ceremonial events. I am a full-time nurse but I also consider myself a full-time reservist. I am proud to be a member of this organisation; one that doesn't give itself enough credit for its achievements and its 'can do' attitude. I have two teenage boys, Andrew and Alexander, and my husband is also a commandant in the RDF, with 37 years' service. I enjoy walking and I'm an avid golfer. I am passionate about my nursing career and enjoy hugely the diversity offered by my role in the RDF. Suzanne Wall Bn HQ, 7 Inf Bn ReS Comdt by CPL LEE COYLE

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