Defence Forces reservists become officers

FIFTEEN DEFENCE Force reservists whose skills encompass engineering, law, town planning, industrial design and teaching, yesterday received their officer commissions at a ceremony attended by Government Chief Whip Pat Carey and Defence Force Chief of Staff, Lieut Gen Dermot Earley.

The newly commissioned officers – 12 men and three women – will join a group from which the State’s first reservists to serve overseas will be chosen.

It is expected this will be a mission to Chad at the end of next year.

The reservists all underwent six years of training – three years of basic training, a year as a non-commissioned officer and a two-year special training – to be selected for the pilot project.

The officers commissioning scroll, signed by the Supreme Commander of the Defence Forces, President Mary McAleese requires them, in the words of the Lieut Gen Earley “to lead and train your soldiers for what will be a historic milestone” of reservists serving overseas in 2009.

Speaking to The Irish Times after the graduation ceremony in the Curragh in Co Kildare, Lieut Gen Earley said the Defence Forces were delighted to have access to the skills of the reservists. Defence specialists of their calibre were much sought after, he said and those available in the full-time Army were called on to serve overseas a lot.

He said while many of the recruits were described as “young”, one of the group who graduated yesterday was 35.

While he could not say for sure where they might serve, it was likely to be Chad “if the situation there remains the same ” or perhaps Bosnia.

Among those graduating yesterday was Second Lieut Gerard O’Donoghue of the Southern Brigade. A town planner with Limerick City Council, he undertook his training while also studying for a masters degree in town planning.

“I wanted to give something back and I thought my skills would be useful. The great thing is that anyone can give something back in this way. I believe in the republican ethos that anyone can serve, no matter where they come from. I am from Moyross in Limerick and I am able now, hopefully, to give something through using my skills,” he said.

Also graduating was Second Lieut Sandra Maher of the Eastern Brigade. A safety officer with Dunnes Stores, she said the company was very helpful about her taking time to complete her training.

“People think it is State agencies that will always give you the time, but I am glad to say Dunnes was great,” she said.