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Qualification on firearms

  • 22-09-2010 9:34pm
    #1
    Sparks
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 40,038 ✭✭✭✭


    Hi folks,
    Hoping you guys can settle a disagreement. In the Irish PDF, is the following true:
    every NCO & Officer in the Permanent Defence Forces, Reserve Defence Forces, Naval Service and Naval Service Reserve are by virtue of their rank deemed by the Minister for Defence to be qualified instructors on a number of weapons
    More specifically, is your qualification as an instructor for a particular firearm a seperate process from that of promotion to a particular rank?


Comments

  • #2
    Manic Moran
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 16,502 Mod ✭✭✭✭Manic Moran


    Though I have nothing in writing, it would seem perfectly sensible. The job of an NCO or officer is to instruct their juniors. They are already capable of using the weapon, otherwise they wouldn't have made NCO/officer to begin with. Part of the course of instruction to be an NCO or officer in the Irish military is 'how to instruct'.

    I would wager the 'number of weapons', a rather vague term, would include the AUG and MAG as a default, as they are both firearms which all soldiers must be capable of using. This should go onto the branch weapons, I would expect an artillery corporal to be capable of instructing on the servicing of the 105mm light gun, or a cavalry corporal to be capable of instructing on a USP.

    NTM


  • #3
    SIRREX
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 217 ✭✭SIRREX


    Sparks wrote: »
    Hi folks,
    Hoping you guys can settle a disagreement. In the Irish PDF, is the following true:More specifically, is your qualification as an instructor for a particular firearm a seperate process from that of promotion to a particular rank?

    MOI (method Of Instruction) is a major part of the Potential NCO's Course, with a focus on weapons training and tactics. The basic weapons covered on the Pot NCO's course are (AFAIK) USP, Styer, GPMG, Grenade and SHRAWW.

    If an NCO goes on to qualify on another weapons system, they are by virtue of their MOI qualification, also an instructor on that weapon.


  • #4
    Manic Moran
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 16,502 Mod ✭✭✭✭Manic Moran


    Ah. This is where it's coming from...

    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056039702

    NTM


  • #5
    Praetorian Saighdiuir
    Closed Accounts Posts: 10,968 ✭✭✭✭Praetorian Saighdiuir


    Sparks wrote: »
    Hi folks,
    Hoping you guys can settle a disagreement. In the Irish PDF, is the following true:More specifically, is your qualification as an instructor for a particular firearm a seperate process from that of promotion to a particular rank?


    On promotion to Cpl in any corps you are a qualified instructor of the following weapons:

    Steyr Rifle
    G.P.M.G
    S.R.A.A.W
    Hand Grenade
    M203 grenade launcher

    These are the basic weapons assigned to a section and also the first weapons any Recruits will encounter in recruit training, so it is essential that all NCO's are qualified instructors in these weapons.

    To be an instructor on any of the following weapons you must undergo a seperate instructor course:

    .5 HMG
    60mm Mortar
    81mm Mortar
    84mm Anti Armour recoilless rifle
    Javelin
    G.P.M.G SF
    AI sniper rifle
    USP handgun

    ARW / Naval Service and Artillery Corps pers will also be required to undergo seperate specific weapon instructor courses.

    I hope this helps.


  • #6
    Sparks
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 40,038 ✭✭✭✭Sparks


    Yup, that settles it (for NCOs at least); does the same requirement to have passed instructor courses hold for officers as well?


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  • #7
    Praetorian Saighdiuir
    Closed Accounts Posts: 10,968 ✭✭✭✭Praetorian Saighdiuir


    Sparks wrote: »
    Yup, that settles it (for NCOs at least); does the same requirement to have passed instructor courses hold for officers as well?


    AFAIK yes, to be an instructor on any other weapon you need to undergo an instructor course, regardless of rank.

    Saying that, in addition to the basic section weapons, on commissioning, an officer may also be qualifed as a range manager, disposal of blind ammo and maybe an SF or .5.....(as im not an officer) im not 100% sure about it though.

    I must stress that on an NCO course you must pass a number of tests to qualify you as an instructor in the basic section weapons. If you fail any of these tests you will not pass out as an NCO. Therefore, anyone who is a Cpl or higher is a qualified instructor of the basic section weapons.


  • #8
    concussion
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,267 ✭✭✭concussion


    Benwavner has it pretty much sewn up. WRT RDF I would suggest that this only applies to Steyr and GPMG unless the NCO has done a specific course. Also (I know this was a direct quote lifted from the other thread, so not directed at the OP), RDF is not separate from NSR; Army Reserve and Naval Service Reserve are both part of the Second Line Reserve which, together with the First Line Reserve, form the RDF.


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