Medics/military police

Lockstep

Am looking at future career options for when I finish college and the Defence Forces seem quite appealing (hopefully they will be recruiting by the time I finish college)
Two things I would like to consider are the medics or the military police.
I'm a medic with the RDF and love the training so would be happy to enlist as a medic. Can you enlist as a medic in the Navy?

Otherwise, the degree I'm working towards is a BA in Legal Science so the Military Police might be an option once I have this. Again, can you enlist as an MP in the Navy?

Finally, would there be any reccomendations in going for the army/navy etc.
Any help welcome.
Thanks

pmg58

There was an article some time ago in An Cosantoir, I think, about the Naval Service MP section. There was about 4 or 5 members, if I remember correctly, they were originally members of an army MP detachment that were transferred to the NS last year, i.e it was originally an army detachment assigned to the naval base that became part of the NS last year. That would probably mean that you can become an MP in the NS now, but as to how hard it is to get into that section, I'd have no idea, probably fairly difficult.

Poccington

Are you looking to go down the Cadetship or General Enlistment route mate?

timmywex

Afaik there are sick berth attendants on all NS ships.

All naval service members do first aid and the medics in the NS are occupational first aiders.

Poccington

timmywex wrote: »

Afaik there are sick berth attendants on all NS ships.

All naval service members do first aid and the medics in the NS are occupational first aiders.

Doesn't the NS get their Recruits trained as Occupational First Aider's as part of their Recruit Training? We do.

I think it's a sad state of affairs if your Medics are only OFA's.

pmg58

They're bound to be more than just OFAs, I'd say they have a similar level of training to army medics. Wouldn't they have to?

timmywex

pmg58 wrote: »

They're bound to be more than just OFAs, I'd say they have a similar level of training to army medics. Wouldn't they have to?

Was told this by the defence forces information officer about 3/4 months back. Got him to check for mr so unless things have changed in the mean time.All navy recruits do first aid is all afaiik

Lockstep

Poccington wrote: »

Are you looking to go down the Cadetship or General Enlistment route mate?

I'm most interested in being a medic, I'm not studying medecine so enlisting would be grand by me there.

Poccington

kickoutthejams wrote: »

I'm most interested in being a medic, I'm not studying medecine so enlisting would be grand by me there.

Well if you go down the Army route and chase Med Coy, you'll be looking at perhaps 2-3, maybe more years in a normal Unit before you have a realistic chance at getting the course. Then when it comes to being accepted onto the course it'll be down to your record in your unit, experience and courses done. However, I'd imagine your service in an RDF Medical Unit would stand for you as it would show you've a genuine interest in the subject.

Lockstep

If you join the PDF, do you spend a few years as infantry before being able to specialise (transport, medic etc), or is it like the RDF where you choose where to apply from the outset?

Hard Larry

Yep it depends on which Brigade trains you. They'll usually try station you close to home on completion of Recruit training.

Only on rare occassions will you get sent to a Combat Service Support unit, and only if you have the relevant qualifications. New 3 Star Privates will be expected to get to their units carry out normal routine and eventually get sent on an overseas mission.

I have seen troops being sent to the likes of the medics and engineers from the offset and I know in the East that they are always looking for more medics in St Bricins.

You may forget about Transport Thats the equivalent of finding a Golden Ticket in a Wonka Bar

Poccington

kickoutthejams wrote: »

If you join the PDF, do you spend a few years as infantry before being able to specialise (transport, medic etc), or is it like the RDF where you choose where to apply from the outset?

While in training you'll get a choice of a certain number of Corps to put down as 1st and 2nd preference, although the choices tend to be between Infantry, Cavalry and Arty. There's no guarantee you'll get to the Unit you picked though, even though you get a choice the way you go still comes down to needs of the Army.

Usually you're expected to spend a few years in your original Unit before you can get out of it, although there has been some exceptions where lads have gotten out whilst still fairly new thanks to certain qualifications they may have had. For example, your BA in Legal Science would make you very attractive to an interview board if you applied for the MP's.

Lockstep

Poccington wrote: »

While in training you'll get a choice of a certain number of Corps to put down as 1st and 2nd preference, although the choices tend to be between Infantry, Cavalry and Arty. There's no guarantee you'll get to the Unit you picked though, even though you get a choice the way you go still comes down to needs of the Army.

Usually you're expected to spend a few years in your original Unit before you can get out of it, although there has been some exceptions where lads have gotten out whilst still fairly new thanks to certain qualifications they may have had. For example, your BA in Legal Science would make you very attractive to an interview board if you applied for the MP's.

Thanks Poccington; clears it up for me.
Do you know if the Navy has it's own medics and MPs?
Also, does the Irish navy go abroad much or does it mainly concentrate on fishery protection/narcotics etc.

Poccington

kickoutthejams wrote: »

Thanks Poccington; clears it up for me.
Do you know if the Navy has it's own medics and MPs?
Also, does the Irish navy go abroad much or does it mainly concentrate on fishery protection/narcotics etc.

There's other folk on here that are better suited to answering both those questions than I am tbh. My knowledge on the DF dwindles once we hit the water or air unforunately :pac:

I'm sure a few of the lads will give ya the heads up on the Navy though.

rednik

After you have finished training you can apply for the next MP course and once you have done this your CO cannot stop this application going through the channels. All you have to do then is pass the relevant interview process.

Poccington

rednik wrote: »

After you have finished training you can apply for the next MP course and once you have done this your CO cannot stop this application going through the channels. All you have to do then is pass the relevant interview process.

Oh yes he can.

rednik

Hi Poccington,
Can you tell me on what grounds a CO can stop your application from going to the APM in your Brigade?.

Poccington

rednik wrote: »

Hi Poccington,
Can you tell me on what grounds a CO can stop your application from going to the APM in your Brigade?.

As you well know when Courses come up, Units and Brigades are given a set amount of places on the Course. So say there's 4 places in an Inf Bn for a Course and 7 people apply for it, the Coy Commander has to approve the application as does the Bn Commander. The reasons for not being approved could range from experience in Unit to your conduct rating.

To say that your CO is in no position to not approve your application for a Course is a lie.

rednik

When I applied for the probationers course my CO called me in and asked me to stay in the Unit. But he also informed me he was compelled to send my application to the APM. Whether your CO recommends you or not the application still goes to the APM as he will decide who is recommended or not. Do you realise how many good people would be denied a different career if what you said was true. I suggest you check this out because as you know I am ex and I have checked it out because of what you said |I honestly thought they had changed this. If you apply for the wing again your CO is obliged to send that app to the CO there whether recommended or not or whether a Coy Comdr or Batt Comdr. I guarantee you they do not have the final say.

Lockstep

Navy got back to me today; told me that I would need to apply as a recruit and then upon becoming a Seaman, I could apply for a medics position should a vacancy arise. However, there is no guarantee of selection.


Does anyone know if the Navy do much voyages abroad?