[BostonB]

Yes. It may not be open to the general public. Its lot very big but its full of allsorts of interesting things. I have some photos somewhere.
Lots of photos, models, uniforms, aircraft. See here

http://www.militaryheritage.ie/resea.../ac/acorps.htm

[Delancey]

The current ' squaring off ' between public and private sector certainly does not help - all public sector organisations seem to be coming under more criticism than when times were good.

I think much of the negative views actually have their roots in Government Defence policy ( if one can even call it that ) , deliberate neglect of the Defence Forces has historically meant the military here is small whereas in the US or UK far more people will have served or have family members who served and thus have perhaps a greater appreciation.

Political neglect of the military here is shocking - one of the most senior positions in most European governments is that of Defence Minister yet if we cast our minds back to when Brian Lenihan Sr. had his liver transplant he was afterwards appointed as Minister for Defence so as not to strain his fragile health. Can anyone recall any sort of Dail debate on Defence ( excluding the parish pump issue of barracks closures ) ?

Sucessive governments have demonstrated their complete dis-interest in Defence matters - therefore not surprising that much of the public share that lack of interest or understanding.

[CajunPenguin]

I hate them because they won't let me join because of a minor disability :'( It barely affects me at all, I'm fitter than half the people my age but because of red tape...
Of course that's just the arseholes at the top, more the government's fault, I'd say any sane commander would like one more fit and ready soldier
Maybe I can go into a secret government programme and become Cpt Ireland?

[Donny5]

Originally Posted by CajunPenguin

I hate them because they won't let me join because of a minor disability :'( It barely affects me at all, I'm fitter than half the people my age but because of red tape...
Of course that's just the arseholes at the top, more the government's fault, I'd say any sane commander would like one more fit and ready soldier
Maybe I can go into a secret government programme and become Cpt Ireland?

Sorry, Cajun, but if I recall correctly, you were unable to join because of Cystic Fibrosis. No Western military is going to take on troops with a condition like that as long as there's a pool of perfectly healthy people to recruit from.

[tac foley]

Originally Posted by CajunPenguin

I hate them because they won't let me join because of a minor disability :'( It barely affects me at all, I'm fitter than half the people my age but because of red tape...
Of course that's just the arseholes at the top, more the government's fault, I'd say any sane commander would like one more fit and ready soldier
Maybe I can go into a secret government programme and become Cpt Ireland?

Anybody who can call CF a minor disability has a different viewpoint to most people I know. 'Fit? THIS Army doesn't think so.

While fully respecting your call, I bleeve that you are operating by a different set of mental parameters than those enjoyed by the rest of us who do not have this dreadful and debilitating disease.

More power to your elbow, Sir, and respect, too, for your efforts.

However, I fully agree with the previous posts. Be honest with yourself - who would YOU choose if you were a recruiter [always providing that you weren't instantly shown the door out]?

tac

[source]

One point I feel has been glaringly overlooked by BostonB, is what Tac actually said jn his post.

He never said that soldering was the most dangerous job in Ireland. What he said is that we should respect our soldiers, because they signed up to give their lives (if it came to it) to protect their country.

The rest of this thread is based on BostonB's incorrect reading of Tacs post.

Sure on paper farming might be more dangerous, but in reality that's got a lot more to do with farmers not being aware of their own health and safety than any inherent danger in the job itself.

Back on topic, the amount of times I've heard people say that the DF don't carry live ammo is ridiculous. Again it's down to people who don't know anything about the DF making comments.

I served in the FCA and RDF and for us it was nothing more than a name change. I was in the Air Defence Regiment, we were fully integrated since the founding of the regiment. As such we did many joint courses and deployments with the PDF, the professionalism from the permanent and reserve batteries was inspiring.

But again people don't see this and don't know what goes on behind the barracks wall. The lack of information breeds the kind of hatred and contempt that we see for our armed forces.

[Morpheus]

ADR should be held aloft as a beacon of how integration SHOULD work.

[BostonB]

Originally Posted by source

One point I feel has been glaringly overlooked by BostonB, is what Tac actually said jn his post.

He never said that soldering was the most dangerous job in Ireland. What he said is that we should respect our soldiers, because they signed up to give their lives (if it came to it) to protect their country.

The rest of this thread is based on BostonB's incorrect reading of Tacs post....

Actually my point was that the general public is aware that in reality death/injury in the Irish DF is very low compared to other jobs, and other DF in other countries. Its there in black in white in national newspaper. So if you're looking to improve the DF public image, gain respect, that's not the way to do it. It would probably get a negative reaction.

Showing the public the day to day work, would be a far better way of promoting the work that's done, the professionalism and the value to the state.

http://www.thejournal.ie/in-pictures...ide-slideshow7

[Poccington]

Originally Posted by BostonB

Actually my point was that the general public is aware that in reality death/injury in the Irish DF is very low compared to other jobs, and other DF in other countries. Its there in black in white in national newspaper. So if you're looking to improve the DF public image, gain respect, that's not the way to do it. It would probably get a negative reaction.

Showing the public the day to day work, would be a far better way of promoting the work that's done, the professionalism and the value to the state.

http://www.thejournal.ie/in-pictures...ide-slideshow7

If we were to go to A'Stan in any sizeable force, the public would be up in arms about it. We continue as we do now, we have it too handy compared to others.

We can't win.

[Delancey]

Originally Posted by Poccington

We can't win.

Kinda sums it all up - decades of a policy of ' neutrality ' has allowed a vacuum develop in which the Defence Forces cannot have a full role.
Neutrality has I believe also permitted governments to ' get away ' with under-funding the Defence Forces.

Absolutely correct to say there would be uproar were troops to go to Afghanistan or Pakistan ( which will probably be the new flashpoint in a few years ). An apathetic public somehow believe this country has no stake in what happens over there - a few Al Queda bombs on the LUAS or DART would provide a nasty wake up call.

[twowheelsonly]

Originally Posted by Salvation

All Soldiers are Mercenaries the difference between us and the freelancers is that we are regulated and paid for by a government.

The Defence forces is what they are a Defence force but they are the only public service that are 100% accountable and actually do their job.

As for that moron with his opinion, he obviously is an ignorant twat and you would be worse to get in a fight with him and laugh at him as he is braindead and most likely a non functioning member of society that has never lifted a finger.

I have great time for the Army and appreciate what they do and the many roles that they fulfill. I've had brothers and other relations in the Army and Navy so have some idea of their job.

I would take issue with the above post though..
How can you slag off other Public Service areas across the board - of which you most likely have no direct experience - yet brand somebody else a moron for having an opinion on something that he obviously has no experience of.
A little hint of Pot, Kettle, Black IMO...

BTW, I don't believe that the general public has a hatred of the Army/Defence Forces. They may be under-appreciated and under valued and subject to criticism but so is every PS job these days.

[whitelines]

Originally Posted by Delancey

Kinda sums it all up - decades of a policy of ' neutrality ' has allowed a vacuum develop in which the Defence Forces cannot have a full role.
Neutrality has I believe also permitted governments to ' get away ' with under-funding the Defence Forces.

Absolutely correct to say there would be uproar were troops to go to Afghanistan or Pakistan ( which will probably be the new flashpoint in a few years ). An apathetic public somehow believe this country has no stake in what happens over there - a few Al Queda bombs on the LUAS or DART would provide a nasty wake up call.

I suspect the general public are of the opinion that if you don't f*ck with Islamic terrorists or the causes they support then they won't f*ck with you. Probably correct. At least in a direct sense.

[darkhorse]

Originally Posted by tac foley

Anybody, and I mean ANYBODY, who signs on the dotted line to become a member of their country's Armed Forces - call them what you will - has effectively signed over not just a few years of their life, but what could, in certain circumstances, be the entire rest of their lives.

You are signing up to offering your life for your country - a risk that goes along with the wearing of the rather odd clothes that you are made to wear to distinguish you [the defender] from the civilian [the defended].

Respect is due and required.

G*d Bless ALL our Armed Forces, who might be put in harm's way so that the rest of you can sleep easy in your beds at night, your children grow up in peace, and that you speak and hear the language of your choice whenever you want to.

tac

Very well put, tac. I agree with you 100%.
John

[Morpheus]

I dont think the public would have a huge problem. I mean were already working with ISAF in A'Stan and now in Syria too. after a couple of months the furor would die down.

What we havent had in a long time (since the leb in the 80/90s) is body bags returning from missions.

Whilst I hope never to see it again in my lifetime, I do think that it has been long enough since this was in the general populations collective memories, to soften their "moral fibre" should they be faced with scenes like that again.

It would probably result in bleeding heart liberals and the tree huggers calling for the army to be pulled out of whatever baby killing mission they are illegally on. We are a country prepared to admire our soldiers on parades and GOHs, building orphanages and scenes of creating stability in war torn areas etc but we arent prepared to deal with what dangers and risks they will face in the line of their duty and chosen careers and the resulting deaths or injuries that this may incur.

[Joko]

This video aptly describes the Irish Military:



Pogs and fobbits.