Recruitment roadshow flying into Aiken Barracks

The Irish army have launched a national recruitment drive which will see the roadshow arriving at Dundalk’s Aiken Barracks this Friday.

The local event which is being hosted by the 27th Battalion, is part of an ambitious campaign to recruit 860 new Defence Forces personnel over the next few years

The recruitment drive is the biggest on record, an increase of 170 on the 690 new recruits drafted into the Forces year.

The drive is set to provide opportunities across the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service. New personnel will include general service recruits, apprentices and cadets.

Minister of state with responsibility for defence, Paul Kehoe T.D said that the government has committed to nearly doubling the number of women in the Defence Forces from 6.5 per cent to 12 per cent over the next five years.’ last

He added: ‘I would also urge our new Irish, who have contributed so much to the creation of a more pluralist and culturally diverse Irish society, to take up the opportunity to serve in the armed forces of the State they now call home,’ Mr Kehoe said.

The Defence Forces welcomes and respects all, irrespective of gender, creed, ethnicity or sexual orientation,’ he added.

The Minister said: ‘It is vital that we continue to recruit young men and women to both maintain the strength level and military capability and to ensure fresh thinking. I would encourage any young person who is currently thinking about his or her future career to consider the opportunities available in the Defence Forces.’

The first of these competition streams, general enlistment is now open on the Defence Forces website.

Interested applicants can find out more at military.ie