An Cosantóir

www.military.ie the defence forces magazine | 13 Medal Ribbon The ribbon is 5cms in length and is 31mm wide with 1 x 14 mm wide green stripe, 1 x 3 mm white stripe and 1 x 14 mm orange stripe. Suspension The ribbon hangs from a bronze alloy pin-back brooch in which bears a Celtic interlace design. Service Bar The bar which is joined to the suspender bears the inscription 'Cuimhnig Ar 1916' which is translated 'Remember 1916', with a St. Brendan's Knot at either side. Eligibility The Minister may award the medal to members of the Permanent Defence Force, members of the Army Nursing Ser- vice, members of the Chaplaincy Service and members of the Reserve Defence Force who are in service at any time during the period 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2016 inclu- sive. Members of the Defence Forces, members of the Army Nursing Service and members of the Chaplaincy Service who die in service in the year 2016 will be eligible for the award of the medal. Posthumous Awards A posthumous award may be awarded to one member of the family of the de- ceased person. Order of Precedence The '1916 Centenary Commemorative Medal' will be worn in order of prece- dence after the Peacekeeping Medal, and the International Operational Service Medal (if applicable) and before any UN, EU or NATO/PFP medal. Stars and Medals by CPL LEON DEERE PhotoS by ARMN ADAM MURPHY O n 14th December 2016 the 106 Recruit Platoon from the 1 Mech Inf Coy, undertook a loaded march in the Wicklow area to mark the culmination of their twelve- week 3 star training. the gruelling 16Km march led the students over a series of spot heights, starting with Scar Mountain, down Paddock hill, along the Wicklow Way, up brockagh, tonelagee and finally concluding on to the Wicklow Gap car park. This task was undertaken alongside training staff, and the Commanding Officer Comdt Tom Fox, 1 Mech Inf Coy. Support was shown from several NCOs and Private soldiers from the unit at the finishing point. Units from the Curragh Camp normally complete a loaded march from the Glen of Imaal back to their home units in the Cur- ragh Camp as the last hurdle of their training. However making this journey by road, with traffic volumes increasing is no longer permitted for safety reasons. In place of this an alternative route had to be selected. The route that was chosen is one that has been used by the ARW during training and is also an easily acces- sible part of the Wicklow landscape in case of emergency. The 2 stars were re- quired to carry a 14Kg bag pack and the walk was to be completed over a four- hour duration. Over the previous months the students had completed loaded marches with various weight, this being the most weight to date. They also learned map reading skills, with both day and night navigation skills in classroom-based lectures. They were given the chance to put these skills into practice in several loca- tions, including the Curragh, the Glen of Imaal and the Wicklow Mountains. The morale of all involved was not damped by the bleak weather conditions on the day. Strong wind and rain plagued the recruits up until the last kilometre where the sun shone through just in time for them to receive their three star rank markings from the Brig Gen Joe Mulligan GOC DFTC. This in itself was a unique event, as standard practice had involved receiving the award during a ceremonial parade in the Curragh Camp. Another unique event that coincided was that all training staff and the students were awarded the 1916 Commemoration Medal alongside one another. It was a great honour to receive this medal while celebrating the achievements of the newest generation in the Defence Forces, whilst reminiscing and respectfully remembering those that had paved the way for us in the past. Brig Gen Joe Mulligan GOC DFTC congratulates the new Pte's of the 1 Mech Inf Coy Members of 1 Mech Inf Coy receive the 1916 Commemoration Medal alongside one another Photo by Cpl Colm Lawlor, Air Corps Photo by Sgt Barry McCarthy (Press Office Collins Bks)

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