An Cosantóir

www.military.ie the defence forces magazine | 5 Manager Comdt Colin Lawlor info@military.ie +353 (0)45 44 5306 editor Sgt Wayne Fitzgerald magazine@military.ie +353 (0)45 44 5307 connect Sgt Karl Byrne connect@military.ie Photo/Journalist Cpl Lee Coyle journalist@military.ie Photographer Cpl Neville Coughlan photo@military.ie subscriptions Cpl Kelly Gallagher +353 (0)45 44 5312 subs@military.ie df/Pr information Cpl Lynn Ryan admin@military.ie +353 (0)45 44 5308 df Webmaster Sgt Mick Burke +353 (0)45 44 5309 webmaster@military.ie Magazine archivist Mr Sean Shinnors designer/advertising JM Publishing & Media, Arklow, Co. Wicklow,Ireland Tel: +353 15331911 Tel: +353871344135 Web: www.jmpublishing.ie Email: info@jmpublishing.ie Printer Turner's Printing Co., Ltd Earl Street, Longford, Ireland Tel: +353 (0)43 3350500 The fact that an article appears in this magazine does not indicate official approval of the views expressed by the author. © Published by OiC Public Relations Branch for the Defence Forces at DFHQ, Block 5, Ceannt Bks, DFTC, Curragh Camp, Co Kildare, Ireland. Tel: +353 (0)45 445312 front cover Pictured is LÉ Samuel Beckett in Blacksod Bay in 2017. Photo: A/B David Jones For more Defence Forces photographs, checkout: www.flickr.com/photos/ dfmagazine Editorial H ello, and welcome to our March issue. This month our main focus is on the Naval Service, including changes at the top of the Service, a cadet exchange with the US Navy, and DSMs and commendations awarded for actions that uphold the Defence Forces' ethos. Our regular On Parade section gets us started with your photographs from around the DF. The story of Sgt Des Macauley's Meritorious Promotion in Kilkenny comes next In Focus. This is followed by our first Naval Service article, 'Operation Seabight' - A Job Well Done, which looks at the recent award of a DSM and a number of commendations to NS personnel in Haulbowline recently. Our Veterans News slot looks at a recent commemoration of Sgt Hugh Gaynor, who died in the Niemba Ambush, a tragic event that shocked not only the DF but the whole of Ireland. Our first article by Cpl Lee Coyle takes an extensive look at the recruitment process for 2018 and the different career options available. Our front-cover feature, by CPO/ERA Ruairí de Barra, looks at the Changing of the Watch, from Commodore Hugh Tully to Commodore Michael Malone as FOCNS; with an overview of the recent past and a look ahead. Continuing with our main theme, A/ ComOp David Kelly brings us through Upholding the Mariner's Code, with a look at the tragic death at sea of L/Sea Michael Quinn, who was posthumously awarded a DSM, and also the recent medal awarded to Lt Cdr Jamie Cotter. For our Strategic Review feature, Paul O'Brien MA looks at the current scale of human trafficking, which has flourished along with the recent migration crisis emanating mainly from Africa and the Middle East. Next we have a report on a Naval Cadet Exchange with US, by Cdts Kenneally and Malcolm who travelled to the United States Naval Academy to join their Atlantic patrol training. This is followed by a report on Glasnevin Cemetery Steeped in History, which looks at the historical 200-year- old graveyard in the heart of Dublin from a mainly military perspective. In our first History piece journalist Don Lavery looks at the career of his father Comdt Jim Lavery DSM, who had the honour of leading the motocycle escort for the presidential visit of JFK in 1963, and whose courageous service during the early days of the Congo mission saw him awarded a DSM. Our second History feature, by Pat Poland, looks at one of the lesser known WWII tragedies in Massacre in March: Rome, 1944. For Sports we look at the recent DF GAA Referees Course and find out how to qualify to be the man in the middle. All this plus our regular features: Tac-Aide, Gear Review, Noticeboard, Book Reviews, and What I Do. sgt Wayne fitzgerald - editor On Sale & Only €5.00 Our An Cosantóir A5 Black Notebooks are available for €5.00, which fit into large uniform pockets. to purchase contact: subs@military.ie or call: +353 45 44 5312. Limited numbers left.

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