An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir May 2018 www.dfmagazine.ie 38 | Sgt Brian CaSSerley inStruCtor, Computer SChool 2 BtC I had an interest in the military from a young age and in 1996 when I heard that some of my friends in school had joined the FCÁ, I decided to join as well, enlisting with A Coy, 7 Inf Bn. The following September I enlisted in the PDF the Eastern Command Training Centre in Cathal Brugha Bks, and when I finished my training, in March 1998, I was posted to A Coy, 5 Inf Bn, which had recently moved out of Collins Bks to McKee Bks. Later that year I travelled overseas for the first time with A Coy, 84 Inf Bn, UNIFIL. I really enjoyed the trip and thinking about it now it was a great thing to be able to serve overseas so early in my career. I completed a number of courses over the next few years, including the HMG and GPMG SF. I went on my NCOs course in March 2001 and after I was promoted I completed the Infantry Light Support Weapons Instructor course. My next trip overseas, my first as an NCO, was to Kosovo with 27 Inf Gp in 2003, as a detachment commander and ops corporal with the Weapons Platoon. During this trip we were involved in stopping severe rioting that broke out across Koso- vo over the 17th and 18th of March 2004, which was another good learning experience. When I returned home I became HQ Coy Clerk and completed a Unit Computing course. Over the next few years I completed an Orderly Room Sgt's course, CAPS course, MT Driver's course and a Mowag Crew- man's course. In 2008 I returned to Kosovo with 38 Inf Gp as a Mowag crewman. In 2009 I completed the Standard NCOs course, as well as an ECDL and Mowag Crewman Instructor course; and did a Mowag Commander course in 2010. I served overseas again in Jan 2010 with 102 Inf Bn, MINURCAT, in Chad, as APC Sgt with Recce Coy. In 2011 I completed an Office Infor- mation Systems Instructor course and in 2012 I completed a PMS Instructor course and Web Design course. I also have a master's degree in Forensic Computing and Cybercrime Investigation from UCD. In 2012, 5 Inf Bn was disestablished and myself and a col- league were given the responsibility of helping to disband the unit and establishing 7 Inf Bn. I was promoted to sergeant with A Coy, 7 Inf Bn, in Jan 2013 and I was then posted to the Computer School in 2 BTC as an instructor. In the school I instruct on all things computer, from PMS, IKON and even CAPs courses. The main course that we teach is the ECDL. I really enjoy teaching, with the mixture of old and young personnel that come through the school; some having skills they learned at home on their phone or PC, and others having no computer skills at all. However, even the tech savvy indi- viduals learn something on our courses. Currently, we are promoting an E-learning ECDL throughout the DF, through which personnel can cover the ECDL modules online in their own time and pace. They can undergo the test in any of the DF's computer schools. I would highly recommend anyone who wants to up-skill to complete one of the many great computer courses run throughout the DF.

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