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WHAT IS THE TRAINING LIKE?
General Service Recruit
The training for General Service Recruits is initially for 15
weeks. The Recruit Training Syllabus is designed to
produce a physically fit, disciplined and motivated Two
Star Infantry Soldier with basic military skills. Recruit
training is foundation military training. It is followed by 3
Star training and at a later stage by Trained Soldier
Specialist Training courses.
Recruits may be required to complete their training in
any Defence Forces location and following their training,
may be posted to any Defence Forces location subject
to Defence Forces requirements. Once training is
successfully completed the fully trained soldier will be
sent to their allocated unit.
Cadetships
Cadets train for a total of 15 months. The training is
conducted in the Military College, Defence Forces
Training Centre, Co. Kildare. The purpose of cadet
training is to develop character and leadership skills and
instil a sense of duty and responsibility in the cadet. To
benefit from that training, which is conducted in an
environment of strict discipline, the cadet needs mental
acuity and physical agility. During training an Army Cadet
masters basic military skills, such as rifle marksmanship,
as well as developing the leadership skills required of an
Army Officer. Air Corps and Naval Service Cadets also
undertake leadership and foundation military training
before specialising as pilots, navigators or engineers. On
commissioning the new Officer takes up a leadership
position in one of the Army Corps.
Trainee Military Aircraft Technicians
Trainee Military Aircraft Technicians initially complete
basic military training of seven months duration before
commencing their technical training. In total their training
takes approximately 4 and a half years and is completed
at the Air Corps Technical Training School, Casement
Aerodrome, Baldonnel.
The Air Corps Technical Training School is EASA
(European Aviation Safety Agency) approved and
approved by DIT (Dublin Institute of Technology) to
deliver the Bachelor of Engineering Technology Degree in
Military Aviation Technology. Through these programmes
the trainee technicians will be instructed in all disciplines
of aircraft maintenance including fixed and rotary wing
aircraft, power plant and avionics.
The EASA modules (Theory and Workshop Practical’s)
and their associated examinations are completed
entirely, prior to the trainees’ advancement through
advanced access onto the Bachelor Engineering
Technology Degree in Military Aviation Technology.
Third Level Education
Personnel of the Army, who were inducted as an Officer
Cadet and successfully completed their Officer Cadet
training and who have not previously attained an
Honours Bachelor Degree (Level 8 of the National
Framework of Qualifications) or equivalent may be
assigned to a course of study leading to a degree at
National University of Ireland, Galway or a course of
study leading to a degree at some other third level
college of education.
On successful completion of the first year of training,
Naval Service cadets spend the second year of the
cadetship studying for a degree at the National Maritime
College of Ireland.
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For more information on careers in the
Irish Defence Forces visit
http://www.military.ie/en/careers/army-
careers/how-to-join/
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