For many a career in the Defence Forces as an officer is a lifelong dream. Classes are small however and only the best candidates get put forward. This year 30 cadetships have been awarded to successful finalists. Also joining the 86 Cadet Class are three cadets from the Maltese Armed Forces. Ahead of them is a fifteen month journey that will see them transformed from civilian to young officers in the Irish Defence Forces.
Day one week one was a nervous day for the new cadets as they said goodbye to their parents and embarked on their new career. Lt Col Joe Mulligan (OC Cadet School) welcomed and wished all the best in their training. Thinking back himself he said, “Monday November 30 2009, believe you me, will live in your memories for the rest of your lives. Every officer that goes through the Cadet School remembers their first day.”
There is no doubt that the next fifteen months for the Cadets will be the most challenging and also enjoyable period of their lives. Lt Col Mulligan reassured parents and cadets alike, “You are joining a great organisation that will present you with new challenges, opportunities, and many rewards.”
Every year the standard of cadets joining the Defence Forces gets higher and higher. Some are school leavers while others have studied up to Masters Degree’s. Some have had little or no prior contact with the Defence Forces before while others have served as enlisted personnel either permanent or reserves.
Cadet Peter Dunne (26) joined the Air Corps in 2002 and underwent a four year avionics apprenticeship with the 64 Aptce Class. During his apprenticeship he decided to undertake a part time degree in law. Peter is just home from serving overseas as a transport fitter with the 100 Inf Bn in Chad. “I saw other people around me putting themselves through further education and how this benefited them. I wanted to remain in the Defence Forces and I felt being awarded a cadetship would be the best way to advance my career.”
Others like Cadet Sinéad Hunt (22) have just graduated and are looking forward to a career in the Defence Forces. “After graduating I realised I wanted more than just a desk job. The ‘life less ordinary appealed to me.’ I wanted to work with people and a job that was challenging. I was a corporal in the 62 Res Fld Eng Coy. I really enjoyed it. Now I get to be a full time member of the Defence Forces. I studied mechanical engineering, but at the moment I am not sure what Corps I would like to serve in. I’ll have to see how the next fifteen months goes.”
Keep an eye out over the next fifteen months to see how the cadetship panes out for the latest members to join the Defence Forces.