PROUD DAY AS 24 PRIVATES PASS OUT AT AIKEN BARRACKS
LITTLE TALK OF BAD PAY, LOW MORALE OR NATIONAL ARMY SPOUSES ASSOCIATION NOVEMBER 1988
THERE is little talk of bad pay, low morale or National Army Spouses Association (N.A.S.A.) wives, and no sign of the general unease which has lately infiltrated the Defence Forces at the passing-put parade in Aiken Barracks.
There, in front of an army reviewing body, and proud relatives and friends, twenty-four two-star privates from the 28 Recruit Platoon are welcomed into the army fold.
The group, ‘a great bunch’ according to Platoon Commander Lt. Maurice Dowling, spends sixteen weeks of ‘sheer slog’ perfecting the square bashing and drills which they so excellently display to their enthusiastic audience.
Tough going, but well worth the effort, is the general consensus of opinion at a buffet in the barracks afterwards, where family and friends gather to celebrate with the new recruits.
Despite the bad press which careers in the army get recently, most of the group are genuinely looking forward to their time in the forces, many stating they had always wanted to join up.
There are, it seems, not put discord within the ranks.
‘It’s just something I’ve always wanted to do,’ says Pte. Pat McDonnell. ‘I have no regrets about joining up.’
Pte. McDonnell, from Cedarwood Park, is watched at the passing-out parade by his wife Martina, mother Bridget (O’Hanlon Park), sisters Mary Wykes, O’Hanlon Park and Briege McGrath, Grange Drive, and mother-in-law Mrs Mellon, St. Joseph’s Park.
‘It was tough going,’ he admits, off by ‘ but I enjoyed the training very much. It’s a very worthwhile career.’
Omeath man, Pte. Michael Murphy agrees. ‘I like the army and I liked the training, but it was really tough at times,’ he says.
‘ The army is a good, healthy living, continues the 20-year-old ex-Dublin bus conductor, who lives with his parents Michael and Peggy in Omeath. ‘It has a lot to offer.’
Both men have already mapped out directions they hope to take, with Pte. McDonnell aiming for a career in Transport, after he does a driving course, and Pte. Murphy decided that the Rangers is the area for him.
The platoon’s training included two weeks in the Glen of Imaal and The Curragh, but all the new privates will have to serve a further twelve months in the armed forces at home before they become eligible for an overseas posting.
Among the awards made is one to Carlingford man, B. Westveer, for best kit.
Other soldiers to pass out include Pte. John Clinton, Bay Estate; Pte. C. Connor, Muirhevnamór; Pte. Michael Molloy, Castlebellingham; Pte. M. Carolan, Carlingford; Pte. John Crowe, Omeath; Pte. M. McDonnell, Knockbridge; Pte. Denis Molloy, Castlebelingham; Pte. John Kavanagh, Dromiskin; Pte. Ciaran McCrave, Pearse Park and Pte. Thomas Dullaghan, Muirhevnamor.
The reviewing body includes Lt. Colonel Bill Ó Riain., Officer Commanding 27th Battalion; Commandant Tom Staunton, 27th Infantry Battalion; Commandant Peter Richardson, A Company Commander, Infantry Battalion and Fr. Kevin Cooney, CF Chaplain to the 27th.