Permanent Defence Forces Recruitment 2015

tac foley

Sir, I beg to differ.

Imagine that you are going to meet a prospective employer for the very first time [you are, its called the Republic of Ireland's Permanent Defence Force].

Imagine how that employer is looking at you, as you turn up dressed for a night out on the p*ss with the lads [that's what 'just jeans and a t-shirt are].

Imagine how much better an impression you are going to make, turning up dressed as a responsible young man, intent on making a good impression to your future employer for the next many years of your life, by wearing the tidiest set of clothes that you have.

Remember that you are not going to be sweeping the streets, although there are those who do that, you are not one of them, you are not going to be a garbage truck follower - there are those who do that, too. You are a serious person, serious about the prospect of shedding your blood, maybe even giving your life, for your country. If you get through the basic few days, and find that soldiering is for you, you will be giving your country a blank cheque, to use you as it sees fit, for the duration of your service in its armed forces.

This is NOT a job.

This is NOT an occupation.

This is SERVICE to your country, and it needs you to show that you mean every second of it, beginning by turning up on your first day dressed like a bridegroom, and not a walking bar-prop.

Do it right, or don't do it at all.

MY $0.02.

tac

Señor Fancy Pants

There is NO need to turn up in a suit. Depending on where you are meeting, you may be transported to the training area, most likely in the back of a truck but may not be the case.

If you are coming in as a Cadet, a suit would be appropriate.

If you are going the enlisted route, If they wanted you to turn up in a suit, it would say "bring a suit".

The instructors won't care what you wear in as long as it is neat and clean. I had a guy that turned up in a full length black leather trench coat complete with big black boots with red and yellow painted flames on them.

They will be too busy sorting you all out to give a fudge what you are wearing. You will parade in civilian attire for leaving the barracks, make sure you wear a clean and neat set of clothes for that.

tac foley

Sir, please post ALL of your message, not just the bits that you imagine that I might find unpalateable - 'This is not the 70's or whenever you joined the BA and as you like to casually and subtley remind us, we don't do things the same way as over the pond.'

Please point me to where I have commented about the differences between joining the Army in the RoI and the UK, subtley [sic] or otherwise.

I've made MY point and my comment, and so have you. You've set out YOUR standards, and so have I.

Let's leave it at that before this turns into something less friendly.

tac

Señor Fancy Pants

Well I deleted that comment as on reflection it was of bad taste.

I would have assumed you would have been of good enough character not to have quoted something that I deleted on reflection.

It shows a lack of decency and is far worse than the initial comment. A PM questioning me would have been more appropriate.

It may come as a surprise to you but a lot of your comments can be patronising and antagonising. Contrary to your beliefs, a lot of your posts (although some cleverly hidden) read as if you are getting a "sly dig" at the DF. It has been the case for a long, long time and I would be surprised if I was the only person to have read between the lines of your posts.

I'm sure you disagree but of course, you would. I will not be picking individual posts out but it is plain to see, even on this thread, your use of italics, bold and caps only serve to highlight not only your point of view, but your true points.

I will not be continuing this conversation any further and have employed the use of the ignore function, as it will do neither myself or the forum any good.

Good day to you Sir.

tac foley

Agreed. You, too, have joined a couple of others on the naughty step.

You delete a comment that you addressed to me, but then you removed it 'on reflection'. And I'm the one lacking in good character?

Whoopee.

You now openly accuse me of being patronising and antagonising and 'cleverly hiding' my 'sly digs' at the DF.

Sir, there is nothing to read between the lines - I'm just not clever enough to have done the things that you accuse me of - ask any of my numerous Irish students from 1998 to 2000. As for accusing me of the clever use of italics, bolds and caps, that is your interpretation.

It might be hard to convince you, since you have now opted out of this conversation, but I'm one of the best 'foreign' friends on this forum that it has ever had.

'bye now.

tac

dandyelevan

tac foley wrote: »

Sir, I beg to differ.

Imagine that you are going to meet a prospective employer for the very first time [you are, its called the Republic of Ireland's Permanent Defence Force].

Imagine how that employer is looking at you, as you turn up dressed for a night out on the p*ss with the lads [that's what 'just jeans and a t-shirt are].

Imagine how much better an impression you are going to make, turning up dressed as a responsible young man, intent on making a good impression to your future employer for the next many years of your life, by wearing the tidiest set of clothes that you have.

Remember that you are not going to be sweeping the streets, although there are those who do that, you are not one of them, you are not going to be a garbage truck follower - there are those who do that, too. You are a serious person, serious about the prospect of shedding your blood, maybe even giving your life, for your country. If you get through the basic few days, and find that soldiering is for you, you will be giving your country a blank cheque, to use you as it sees fit, for the duration of your service in its armed forces.

This is NOT a job.

This is NOT an occupation.

This is SERVICE to your country, and it needs you to show that you mean every second of it, beginning by turning up on your first day dressed like a bridegroom, and not a walking bar-prop.

Do it right, or don't do it at all.

MY $0.02.

tac

Tac, I served from the mid 1960s to the late 1990s in the PDF.
While I agree with your views, this is the Irish Army where soldiers were in the past ordered to (and no doubt will be in the future)

1. Clean up the ****ty Dublin streets (Bin Strike)
2. Ferry the good people of Dublin about in Trucks (Bus Strike)
3. Deliver Petrol & Oil (Oil Truck drivers Strike)
4. Pack Butter & Cheese into boxes for the EEC Butter Mountain
5. Be an 'Instant' Firefighter (when the Fire persons went on strike)

And, a myriad other tasks such as bringing kids to school, Doctors & Medical staff, to and from home visit, etc, during adverse weather conditions.

I would say, speaking from long experience, that our recruits be informed that ...yes, you may well end up sweeping the streets, and following a Garbage Truck.
I did.

tac foley

I hear what you say, but the British Army has also had to put out fires [firemens' strike], slaughter livestock wholesale [various foot and mouth outbreaks], burn tens of thousands of head of sheep and cattle and dig mass graves to bury them in [same deal], rescue flood victims and build dams and dikes.

This is called MACP - Military Aid to the Civil Powers - and does not/did not in any way degrade us in the public eye.

And yup, I'm a well-past-my-sell-by-date old fart, but all I'm saying is the you only get the one chance to make a first impression.

I'm sure that every right-thinking citizen of the Republic of Ireland would thank you for your service to your country, and I'd like to join them.

tac

dandyelevan

Thanks for that Tac, and likewise to you Sir.
I only mentioned the above things, but forgot the Foot & Mouth, etc, (I also forgot to mention the Prison Officers strikes in the early 1970s when myself and fellow MPs were seconded (Sentenced) to the Prison Service for eight years, but without the extra income!)

Anyway, I speak of years ago, and times were tough, but PDF recruits should know what may lurk in the long grass down the line.

tac foley

Hey, the only person who'd calls me 'sir' these days would be the arresting officer, and he wouldn't mean it.

Let's hope for out future soldiers that the very worse that can happen to them is a chafed shoulder from carrying a garbage can from the front yard to the truck and back...

tac

Packoman

What's the story with bringing a phone and some money? Are you allowed and will there be somewhere to keep them?

It wasn't me!

Bring them, but know that the phones may be taken off you and used as a reward for good performance. Money is money. Keep it on you.

kcera

Does anybody Know when the Irish Army will be recruiting,Looking to join as an Air corps recruit.If they are recruiting would anybody have a link.I can't see it on their website.

Thanks.

Timbrolo

Unfortunately you wont get anywhere with recruitment unless its posted on the website!

kcera wrote: »

Does anybody Know when the Irish Army will be recruiting,Looking to join as an Air corps recruit.If they are recruiting would anybody have a link.I can't see it on their website.

Thanks.

aloyisious

Seen scrolling Ad on top of Sunday World on F/B... Army recruitment, The army are now accepting applications for the position of Army recruit. The closing date for applications is 04 September 2015. Google Careers/Defence Forces for info

ClarkyTrd

I was in the last recruit platoon in Finner. Get used to running them sand dunes if you are heading to Finner, first few weeks are handy enough, lots of foot drill, P.T runs and circuit classes, but after a few weeks you will be running 10km most days. They will build you up so dont panic too much

It is a lovely place and I wish ya's all the best in your training, enjoy it!!

AllthingsCP

Irish Defence Forces General enlistment ends 3rd September, Applications now open
http://www.military.ie/careers/current-competitions/

arybvtcw0eolkf

tac foley wrote: »

Huh?

A weekend off in basic recruit training? :O

What kind of army is that?

The first time WE had off was AFTER the passing-out parade, when you were deemed fit to be seen in public.

Mayb

Things have changed since you were conscripted for Malaysia :P

tac foley

Not wishing to get stuffy with a nice Finnish boy, but it was the Peninsular, with Wellington and the boys, rather than Malaysia....so there.

tac

sean2591

Just wondering if anybody else on here is applying in the current recruitment campaign before September? It's my first time applying for the Army.

For lads who applied before do you think that those courses that are meant to prepare you for the online tests are any good and worth doing?

On the form you fill in to apply they are asking alot about any criminal record and even dealings with the guards. They say it doesn't disqualify you but if they have to cut down the applications would this go against you even before you make it to the interview and get to talk to them about it?

Last thing was looking at the pay rates. How does the 1star/2star/3star Private ranks work. Do you go through them automatically or are they like promotions that you have to earn?

Thanks

mystic

sean2591 wrote: »

Just wondering if anybody else on here is applying in the current recruitment campaign before September? It's my first time applying for the Army.

For lads who applied before do you think that those courses that are meant to prepare you for the online tests are any good and worth doing?

On the form you fill in to apply they are asking alot about any criminal record and even dealings with the guards. They say it doesn't disqualify you but if they have to cut down the applications would this go against you even before you make it to the interview and get to talk to them about it?

Last thing was looking at the pay rates. How does the 1star/2star/3star Private ranks work. Do you go through them automatically or are they like promotions that you have to earn?

Thanks

This was the process for the 2014 competition:
1. Apply online
2. Fitness Test and complete Garda vetting form.
3. Pyschometric online tests
4. Interview
5. Repeat psyschometric online tests and familiarisation. Only top scoring applicants were selected for this. Others were placed on a panel
6. Medical
7. Starting recruit training.

My son was placed on the 2015 panel and had to confirm by e-mail that he was still interested in joining. The Garda vetting form was completed again and sent in.

I haven't got a clue about pay rates.....sorry.

sean2591

I've applied for the current recruitment campaign. I'm 21 and it's first time applying. I had to give details of criminal convictions and dealings with the Guards. I did that but am wondering if they would use this to rule me out straight away? If I pass everything else I would like teh chance to explain that I have grown up now and that's part of the reason why I want to join the Army.

For anybody who has been through this do you think it will be a big issue for me. Will I get a fair chance like everybody else?

skaface

Hi
My son has been called to do the fitness test in early September.. Problem is we've just realised
his passport is out of date since last month..
Will the Army accept this on the day as he hasn't
a driver's licence yet, and I don't think the passport would be back in time now if we send
it off to update it..

billy few mates

The Passport Office do a fast renewal on an appointment basis, this might be your best option or contact the recruitment office and explain the situation to them and ask them if they can accept an expired passport...?

https://www.passportappointments.ie

aloyisious

@skeface: tell your son when he get's in and finishes basic training and his Platoon passes out to check out which courses will further his career, and get them done for his DF C.V. so he will have the right boxes ticked off for promotion.

sub3wannabe

So I was very excited when I heard about this, its been a dream of mine to be in the army and then I find that I may be excluded by my age (27) Ive filled out the online application form anyway, I wonder is there any way around this issue? Im extremely smart, run marathons, built like robocop! My cousin is 30 odd and just graduated as a guard, why does the army have this silly rule?

It wasn't me!

You will be excluded unless you apply for a cadetship, but unless you're only recently 27 you're going to be too old for that unless you're only recently turned 27. The other option is direct entry if you're already a qualified engineer, doctor, musician or any other specialist skill they hire directly from civvy street.

sub3wannabe

It wasn't me! wrote: »

You will be excluded unless you apply for a cadetship, but unless you're only recently 27 you're going to be too old for that unless you're only recently turned 27. The other option is direct entry if you're already a qualified engineer, doctor, musician or any other specialist skill they hire directly from civvy street.

Hi, thanks for the reply. I don't have any of those skills unfortunately, I turned 27 in March, would you have a link to the application for the cadetship if its possible?

Brian Clowen

Join the navy

Señor Fancy Pants

Brian Clowen wrote: »

Join the navy

yvan eht nioj

Señor Fancy Pants

sub3wannabe wrote: »

Hi, thanks for the reply. I don't have any of those skills unfortunately, I turned 27 in March, would you have a link to the application for the cadetship if its possible?

The DF are not currently accepting applications for a Cadetship.

If there was one, you would need to be under 28 years of age on the closing date of the competition.

So, in the event of a Cadetship competition being launched in 2016, the closing date for applications would need to be before you turn 28.