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Older applications for cadets/ army

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  • 13-04-2024 9:27pm
    #1
    brianmax88
    Registered Users Posts: 67 ✭✭


    Has there been many older applicants since they raised the age limit to 39? I only found out about this last night. Would I be mad to apply in my mid 30's?



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    #2
    SteKelly1995
    Registered Users Posts: 3 ✭SteKelly1995


    Hi Brian, I'm not quite as far gone as yourself but I'm 29 this year with 2 kids and have went through the whole recruitment process and got notification last week that I passed my medical so just awaiting a date.

    I wouldn't say your 'mad', if it's something you really want to do I would say don't even think twice about it considering how much better the money has gotten (approx 440€ during 2 star training but living on barracks with all meals included etc, then 555€ approx for another 12 weeks on your 3 star course then onto your first step on the 3 star ladder at €39,000 per year which is around €724 approx and then upwards in increments each year), greater opportunities now with overseas missions (anywhere from 15k upwards tax free on-top of your wages)

    Plenty of ways to further your education etc also with paid university courses.

    I've done a couple months with the reserves while I was doing my PDF application to get upto speed with basic soldiering like foot drill and understand different commands to help with the integration into life potentially as a recruit which I found great so far and would highly recommend and the reserves are completely fine with you running both applications.

    The PDF recruitment is quite fast in fairness I applied in late November and has all my online testing, fitness test, interview and medicals done by early March so it's fairly on the ball.

    My opinion is you get what you want from the whole experience and the commitment is 5 years minimum so you can put yourself forward for as much or little as you like and make what you want of those 5 years!!



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    #3
    vswr
    Registered Users Posts: 308 ✭✭vswr


    I'm just wondering how many they actually take on and put through courses…

    I know many people now who have gone through enlisted and commissioned routes, and they always say they have been passed up for one course or another due to age, years left, nepotism, pettiness…. etc…

    It would be hard for someone to come in with "real world" experience and start coming up against those types of barriers, that plenty know as the "military way"..

    Reckon there'll be may aged 30+ pilots selected (without previous experience) ?



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    #4
    con864
    Registered Users Posts: 3 ✭con864


    I'm 33, screw it i applied , it's something I always wanted to do and regret not going when I was younger so I'm taking the chance now....any other older lads apply?



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    #5
    SteKelly1995
    Registered Users Posts: 3 ✭SteKelly1995


    Fair play man, I'm 28 (29 in September) and I got my enlistment date for next Monday, I wouldn't even see it as 'taking a chance', you'll get so much from it if that's what you wish or get as little as you wish also! From my personal experience I'd apply for the reserves also, you can do both at the same time and the reserves you'll be in within a few weeks and they are happy to take you in for as long as your available once you let them know your long term plan is the PDF, the reserves will get you upto speed with basic footdrill and rank structure etc and even some weapons handling if your lucky which in the long run will only benefit you!



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    #6
    con864
    Registered Users Posts: 3 ✭con864


    Very good, lucky you and best of luck on Monday. Yea must look into the reserves , they aren't too far away from me, used to be in it years ago but it would be good to go back. will have to keep working on my fitness too.😂

    How long did the process take for you? From applying to getting enlistment date?



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    #7
    SteKelly1995
    Registered Users Posts: 3 ✭SteKelly1995


    The reserves has completely changed in the last 2/3 years, alot of working closely to with PDF guys now and very well integrated etc, the training expectations are also on par with the PDF standard so I'd definitely recommend it, even just to refresh your footdrill and get an ear for the commands etc which will help with recruit training

    I applied the end of November last year, done all the online testing in December, fitness test and interview in January and then medical in March, heard the results back from medical in May and got my offer of enlistment in mid June. I applied to the DFTC in the Curragh so the speed of things could be dependent on the brigade you apply for but your possibly looking at 6-8 month process!



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