THE advertisements for army, naval and air corps cadets will appear in the national newspapers shortly but the Defence Forces are worried that school leavers are no longer applying in sufficient numbers. Applications for cadetships have fallen dramatically over the past few years.
In the past cadetships were one of the most sought after training options and it was extremely difficult to secure a place. However, even though applications have fallen, it's still not easy to get in as the number of cadetships available each year is very small.
Last year the army received 719 cadetship applications compared to 1,122 in 1993. Naval cadetships have never been as popular with school leavers as the army and the air corps but the numbers were so low last year as to be extremely worrying to the navy.
Captain Rory Costello, of the flagship, the LE Eithne, says that the navy has a public image problem - most people are ignorant of its actual functions. In fact the navy has seven ships and, he says, it patrols one of the largest maritime zones in Europe. It's involved in fishery law enforcement, maritime safety, environmental protection and national security. The air corps, which enjoys a much more glamourous image, is also experiencing a substantial drop in applications.
Ireland's defence forces still make up what is largely a man's world. Although cadetships are open to both sexes, only 11 women cadets are currently in training. No woman has passed the air corps wings' course - there is a very high failure rate on this course and very few women have attempted It.
Army, navy and air corps cadets undergo different training programmes. All army cadets do a 21 month course in the military college in the Curragh, Co Kildare. The course is divided into three equal stages - the first stage comprises basic military skills from weapons training to map reading. Physical fitness and leadership skills are stressed and cadets are also introduced to life in the cadets mess.
The second stage of training continues with the basics and moves on into tactical and adventure training. The third stage is more academic - here the cadets study administration, politics, economics, internal security and military law.
When training is completed, cadets are commissioned as second lieutenants and posted to a unit. After 18 months they can apply to do a full time third level course. If they are sent on a course, they are paid their salary plus a book allowance and are provided with accommodation in the nearest barracks. The downside is that, instead of enjoying long lazy summer holidays, they must return to their units during college breaks.
Air corps cadets do a 22 month training course which is divided into two stages. The first stage - basic military training - takes place in the cadet school in the Curragh, Co Kildare, and lasts for about seven months. From there the cadets go to flight school. This training is notoriously difficult and a number of cadets fail each year. If successful they are commissioned as second lieutenants and will usually continue flight training for some time to come.
NAVAL CADETS are divided into executive and engineering officers. The executive cadet is trained to take command of a ship and aspiring captains take note - it is only executive officers who may become ship's captains. Executive cadets train for two years - three months in basic military training and the rest at the naval school in Haulbowline, Cork, and at sea. Cadets are trained in navigation, seamanship, naval warfare, engineering, military law and administration.
Engineering cadets also do two years training with the first year devoted to basic military and naval training in the Curragh and at Haulbowline. The second year is spent at UCG doing year one of a degree in marine science. The course is completed after appointment as an officer.
