Chance to join the army reserve forces
THE locally-based 27th Infantry Battalion have reclaimed two of the most prestigious trophies in the Defence Forces – the Combined Weapons Cup and the Marksman’s Cup – at the All-Army shooting competitions held recently in Kilworth Camp, Co. Cork.
As part of the new single force concept, the Battalion fielded PDF (Permanent Defence Forces) and RDF (Reserve Defence Forces) shooting teams in the categories of rifle, pistol, and machine gun (GPMG) in direct competition with units from across the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service.
Before progressing to the All-Army finals, each of the shooting teams had to compete and qualify at the 2nd Eastern Brigade shoot which was held four weeks prior at Carna Range in Athlone, Co. Westmeath.
Selection for a place on Battalion shooting teams is a highly competitive affair, and the prospect of an All-Army winner’s medal or a red marksman’s badge is more than enough to drive on aspiring team members and individual competitors during the long hours of training required to compete at this level. Entry to the All-Army competition increased the tempo of training with long hours spent on the firing range practicing in all weather conditions in preparation for their chosen events.
But this investment in time and resources proved effective with members of the Battalion taking home winners medals for the PDF Pistol Team, RDF Rifle Senior and Novice teams, and RDF Falling Plates team as well as runners-up medals for the PDF Rifle team and PDF Falling Plates team.
In addition to the successful results in the team competitions, individual members of the Battalion also secured 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in the PDF Individual Rifle, 1st and 2nd PDF Individual Pistol, 2nd PDF Individual GPMG, 1st and 3rd RDF Individual Rifle, and 1st RDF Individual Novice.
When all of these results were combined, the 27th Battalion finished top of the overall table and reclaimed the Defence Forces Marksman’s Cup and Combined Weapons Cup which had previously been held by the unit in 2014 and 2015.
As Sergeant Major Joe Murray explains, “Shooting and Marksmanship are the cornerstone upon which military skills are based. There is also the knock on benefit for the individual and the unit in terms of esprit de corps and unit moral by training and competing at this level.”
Indeed this training has proved to be a solid bedrock for the 27th Battalion which has recently sent teams to compete at international Military Skills events including the International Sniping competition held in the Glen of Imaal where they finished second only behind the Army Ranger Wing, the Defence Forces own Special Forces unit. This competition saw sniper detachments from various militaries across the globe competing over a number of days in a challenging variety of competitions and serials designed to test the skills set and fieldcraft of the soldiers both as individual soldiers and as team members.
Not to be outdone by their colleagues in the Sniping Detachments, members of the Battalion’s Reconnaissance (Recce) Platoon recently finished first in the International Recce Competition which was also held in Wicklow. They beat a host of competing nations including a team from the British Army’s Royal Irish Regiment who finished second behind them in the competition.
27th Battalion Commander Lieutenant- Colonel John Kilmartin is not surprised by the recent successes of the unit: “Serving members of the 27th Battalion have proven time and time again that their skills, their experience, and their professionalism are second to none. Many of our members originally hail from the North-East or now call it home whilst based here with the Defence Forces, and the local community should be proud of their commitment and dedicated service to the state both at home and overseas.”
If you know someone who is considering a full-time career in the Defence Forces or if you are interested in a challenging and rewarding part-time career to compliment your existing one, the Reserve Defence Forces are now accepting applications for the 2017 Recruit Platoon. The Army Reserve are looking for men and women from all backgrounds who enjoy working as part of a team. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and not more than 35 years of age on date of enlistment.
Anyone interested is welcome to call to Aiken Barracks, Dundalk on the following Wednesday nights, August 16th, 23rd, 30th and Sept 6th between 2000hrs and 2100hrs for an introduction to a career in the Reserve.
To apply to join the reserve companies of the 27th Infantry Battalion, visit www.military.ie and follow the Reserve Defence Forces “Join Now” link. Choose Dundalk, Navan, or Cavan for the Reserve Defence Forces District selection as appropriate to your home area.
The closing date for applications is 23:59hrs on 6th Sept 2017.