Garda Reserve Training

AN SEANDUINE · 16-10-2007 1:24pm

Another piece of advice for anyone starting phase one is not to drink any more than 8 pints on the saturday night as there is a bit of physical activity on the sunday morning.

leinsterdude · 16-10-2007 3:41pm

Gee Sean dont drink 8 pints the night before,I would hope most dont,are u spaeking from experience?

also I was wondering is there a plan in place for reserves incase they get assaulted whilst on duty or injured to insure them,what if a reserve was injured and could not work for a while?? Would the Garda match the money they would usually get paid???:eek:

iandromiskin · 16-10-2007 5:04pm

leinsterdude wrote: »

Gee Sean dont drink 8 pints the night before,I would hope most dont,are u spaeking from experience?

I don't think he is, but a few of the lads in our group did. They watched the rugby and then went to the night club afterwards. To say they were a bit white and sick the next day is an understatement

pat1187 · 17-10-2007 9:26am

sorry folks,
You are asked, when you complete your medical, to go and get three hepatitis B shots staggered over 6 months. Headquarters state they will cover the costs but I sent in my chit for payment in May and as you can see they are not too quick about it. Got it last week.

freddiew · 17-10-2007 12:35pm

I was wondering if anyone knows on P1 do they take into account a 50 year old against a 25 year old's fitness or has everyone to be equal fitness. Has anyone failed on P1?

Murphy(Cork) · 17-10-2007 12:46pm

If you fon't mind me asking, whats the general age of people applying or in the garda reserve?

leinsterdude · 17-10-2007 1:07pm

Hi,Im 32.

baton charge · 17-10-2007 1:49pm

Murphy(Cork) wrote: »

If you fon't mind me asking, whats the general age of people applying or in the garda reserve?

If it's any consolation there is a guy 57 in our group.

freddiew · 17-10-2007 2:25pm

Gents, no one has answered my question, hope you are not all like that in Court!! My question was, "I was wondering if anyone knows on P1 do they take into account a 50 year old against a 25 year old's fitness or has everyone to be equal fitness. Has anyone failed on P1?"

iandromiskin · 17-10-2007 2:26pm

freddiew wrote: »

I was wondering if anyone knows on P1 do they take into account a 50 year old against a 25 year old's fitness or has everyone to be equal fitness. Has anyone failed on P1?

Everyone in my group where of even age. I don't think it would matter too much as everyone will be in the same boat of uneven fittness. Its not that strenous in P1, but you will be rolling on the floor a few times. To my knowledge no one has failed in P1, theres not really any way to fail. You can fail P2 and possibly P3, but your given the opportunity to repeat anything you failed on. I get the impression they don't want anyone to fail and will either guide you through it or give you every opportunity to pass.

iandromiskin · 17-10-2007 2:27pm

freddiew wrote: »

Gents, no one has answered my question, hope you are not all like that in Court!! My question was, "I was wondering if anyone knows on P1 do they take into account a 50 year old against a 25 year old's fitness or has everyone to be equal fitness. Has anyone failed on P1?"

You bet me to posting there

. Hope my answer helps ?

leinsterdude · 17-10-2007 2:29pm

Hi,my question is unanswered also,maybe nobody knows,but would they sort you out if you were injured on duty,loss of income would be a concern.not compensation just what you were earning??

freddiew · 17-10-2007 2:32pm

iandromiskin wrote: »

You bet me to posting there . Hope my answer helps ?

Thanks Ian that is very helpful.

Murphy(Cork) · 17-10-2007 3:31pm

leinsterdude wrote: »

Hi,my question is unanswered also,maybe nobody knows,but would they sort you out if you were injured on duty,loss of income would be a concern.not compensation just what you were earning??

Hey dude,
i have no idea but i say nothing is in place yet. I meant 2 bring it up at the interview but totally forgot about it. There's still alot of wholes in the reserve that need to be sorted!

pat1187 · 17-10-2007 6:09pm

leinsterdude wrote: »

Hi,my question is unanswered also,maybe nobody knows,but would they sort you out if you were injured on duty,loss of income would be a concern.not compensation just what you were earning??

as far as I know there is no insurance coverage.I heard that there is an amount stopped from a regular garda's pay to cover insurance but as we are not paid we can not contribute.

pat1187 · 17-10-2007 6:18pm

I am in my 50's and found the physical in phase 1 fairly easy,you do the exercises on mats,bare feet, bit of falling around but nothing too strenuous.

Also they supply a bus from Templemore to the hotel in Thurles on Saturday evening so if you do plan on having a few pints on Saturday night,take the bus and leave the car at the college. That way you wont have to worry about driving Sunday morning.Also I would say 8 pints was conservative for some of the guys,as it's definitely a good craic that evening.

freddiew · 17-10-2007 6:33pm

pat1187 wrote: »

I am in my 50's and found the physical in phase 1 fairly easy,you do the exercises on mats,bare feet, bit of falling around but nothing too strenuous.

Also they supply a bus from Templemore to the hotel in Thurles on Saturday evening so if you do plan on having a few pints on Saturday night,take the bus and leave the car at the college. That way you wont have to worry about driving Sunday morning.Also I would say 8 pints was conservative for some of the guys,as it's definitely a good craic that evening.

Hi Pat, that is very helpful, are you in a Dublin Station.

baton charge · 17-10-2007 6:45pm

freddiew wrote: »

Gents, no one has answered my question, hope you are not all like that in Court!! My question was, "I was wondering if anyone knows on P1 do they take into account a 50 year old against a 25 year old's fitness or has everyone to be equal fitness. Has anyone failed on P1?"

Phase 1 is only a taster for Phase 3 where you are tested.Pat and I know two who had failed because they were left handed, as the self defence is geared toward right handed people.They were however given a second chance later and passed.You need only to be moderately fit.
I stand corrected on this one but if you are injured in the line of duty I think you have to sue the state.I think the GRA handles this for the full time members.You would probably go through the PIAB (personal injuries assesment board) as do most things now.

freddiew · 17-10-2007 6:51pm

baton charge wrote: »

Phase 1 is only a taster for Phase 3 where you are tested.Pat and I know two who had failed because they were left handed, as the self defence is geared toward right handed people.They were however given a second chance later and passed.You need only to be moderately fit.
I stand corrected on this one but if you are injured in the line of duty I think you have to sue the state.I think the GRA handles this for the full time members.You would probably go through the PIAB (personal injuries assesment board) as do most things now.

Thanks for that, I keep asking anyone in a Dublin Station as I would like to meet face to face to chat about the Reserves and experiences so far. May be this is impossible but appreciate all that is covered here.

pat1187 · 17-10-2007 9:15pm

freddie,
no, in Kilkenny. Kilkenny group (4) did our Phase 2 with Waterford also 4. 8 total. someone asked how many were going for next Phase 1, I would like to know also,as they say the average length of stay for a special across the water is 3 years.our group,comprising 2 groups, next Saturday numbers about 70.

geo1212 · 19-10-2007 11:12am

leinsterdude wrote: »

Hi,my question is unanswered also,maybe nobody knows,but would they sort you out if you were injured on duty,loss of income would be a concern.not compensation just what you were earning??

As far as we are aware you are covered if injured while on duty, we brought up the same thing originally, and after a couple of weeks we were told that yes you are covered if injured while on duty.

Murphy(Cork) · 25-10-2007 1:18pm

So have you started Phaes 2 Sean??

Murphy(Cork) · 25-10-2007 5:12pm

So Ian,
Have ye Started Phase two yet?

iandromiskin · 26-10-2007 9:00am

Murphy(Cork) wrote: »

So Ian,
Have ye Started Phase two yet?

Yep. About half way through it at the moment. We all have an exam / test on the legal studies (P2) in about three weeks before we go back for P3.

freddiew · 26-10-2007 9:13am

Ian, tell me what happens at P1 which we are going to 3rd November

Murphy(Cork) · 26-10-2007 12:11pm

iandromiskin wrote: »

Yep. About half way through it at the moment. We all have an exam / test on the legal studies (P2) in about three weeks before we go back for P3.

You started phase 1 back in october? yeah, does that mean you must go to Templemore every week for phase 2 as your half way through it already

iandromiskin · 26-10-2007 12:58pm

Murphy(Cork) wrote: »

You started phase 1 back in october? yeah, does that mean you must go to Templemore every week for phase 2 as your half way through it already

No thank god they changed that procedure. P2 is down now in a regional training centre within or close to your district, so no long trips to Tipperary every weekend. You still do long hours in P2 though, but locally.

AN SEANDUINE · 26-10-2007 1:13pm

YEP along with IAN i am in phase 2 and have about 20 hours of my 56 hours done our trainer is good craic as are most of the lads down at the station.I am also currently practising my stout drinking skills so i can keep up with the cork lads on the saturday night of phase 3.

Murphy(Cork) · 30-10-2007 11:37am

What should you wear to phase 1,

freddiew · 30-10-2007 12:06pm

M, you should have got an email this morning, which read:

"Please note, all candidates who are currently or were at the time of application a member of the Reserve Defence Force should be in possession on the morning of the 3rd of November of a letter of discharge from their commanding officer.

Picture I.D. is required on arrival at College. Dress code on the day will be smart – casual, however please bring a tracksuit and trainers with you also. You should also bring an overnight bag as accommodation for Saturday night will be provided." etc

pat1187 · 30-10-2007 4:20pm

Murphy(Cork) wrote: »

What should you wear to phase 1,

I said this before, on phase 1,don't be rushed during the uniform fitting,
I ended up with shirts that were too small ie.uncomfortable,and a stab vest that was also too small,so take you time and don't be rushed.When you end up dressed in the final uniform,including baton,belt stab vest, jacket (with fleece) and yellow fluorescent jacket, its important that you feel comfortable. You will have to wear it, possibly, for 8 hours.

Murphy(Cork) · 30-10-2007 6:57pm

freddiew wrote: »

M, you should have got an email this morning, which read:

"Please note, all candidates who are currently or were at the time of application a member of the Reserve Defence Force should be in possession on the morning of the 3rd of November of a letter of discharge from their commanding officer.

Picture I.D. is required on arrival at College. Dress code on the day will be smart – casual, however please bring a tracksuit and trainers with you also. You should also bring an overnight bag as accommodation for Saturday night will be provided." etc

Yeah just saw the e-mail. Thanks anyway

Murphy(Cork) · 30-10-2007 7:03pm

For any1 past phase 1, and was a member of the RDF, is it a big deal if you dont have the discharge papers when you go up for the weekend??
I signed the paper work last week, but im still waiting for it to come in post

Murphy(Cork) · 30-10-2007 7:12pm

pat1187 wrote: »

I said this before, on phase 1,don't be rushed during the uniform fitting,
I ended up with shirts that were too small ie.uncomfortable,and a stab vest that was also too small,so take you time and don't be rushed.When you end up dressed in the final uniform,including baton,belt stab vest, jacket (with fleece) and yellow fluorescent jacket, its important that you feel comfortable. You will have to wear it, possibly, for 8 hours.

Did you get to change your uniform??

iandromiskin · 31-10-2007 10:07am

pat1187 wrote: »

don't be rushed during the uniform fitting......
so take you time and don't be rushed.When you end up dressed in the final uniform,including baton,belt stab vest, jacket (with fleece) and yellow fluorescent jacket, its important that you feel comfortable. You will have to wear it, possibly, for 8 hours.

Yeah I agree. The thing is they have two lads who have come down from Dublin or somewhere and obviously they had to come down early on a Saturday and weekend, so they're not exactly happy (can you blame them). I was one of the ones measured last and had a good bit of time to try everything on (for example he said a Medium Jacket, but I prefered the Large), but some of the guys who went in first said that they were rushed and the lads were a bit grumpy (early mornings).

You arrive at 9.30 and due to timetable have only about one hour or thereabouts to get measured, so it takes time and they try and get it done quickly, there will be about 25 of you afterall. I agree with Pat, take your time as much as possible. Remember that you will be wearing this for a long period of time, either on patrol in a town or even worse running after someone, so make sure you are comfortable in your fitting. That being said, they do have uniform inspection in P3 were they look at you in the uniform and say that they can change anything that doesn't look right.

Dee5 · 31-10-2007 12:41pm

Hi there,

Only seen this thread here today. Had a read through of the majority of them. How did everyone who applied get on? Have you all been deployed to stations etc. How did you find the process.
Am a reserve myself based in Dublin, am raging I only found this thread today

iandromiskin · 31-10-2007 1:57pm

Hi Dee,

Welcome to the board. The majority of people here are either applying, in process and waiting or like myself in training. I'am currently half way through P2 at the minute and have my exam in about three weeks before P3 at the end of november so any wise words of wisdom you can impart to us all would be great.

How long have you been stationed in Dublin and how are you getting on ? What sort of things / incidents have you encountered (if you can tell us),what sort of hours do you work ? Just general question re experience to date etc...

Dee5 · 31-10-2007 4:28pm

Ah cool so your nearly there. Have you found out where you going to be stationed?
I passed out last December, with the pilot set (with Robbie) It's great fun How is everyone finding it etc...? Any questions just ask

freddiew · 31-10-2007 4:39pm

Dee5 wrote: »

Ah cool so your nearly there. Have you found out where you going to be stationed?
I passed out last December, with the pilot set (with Robbie) It's great fun How is everyone finding it etc...? Any questions just ask

Hi Dee, Welcome! I am just going down to Templemore for P1 on Saturday morning, passed my Medical last Wednesday. I will be stationed in Pearse Street, where are you? and how do the full timers accept the Reserves?

Murphy(Cork) · 31-10-2007 5:35pm

I was just told i can't go up saturday unless i bring my discharge papers from the RDF.. i signed the paper work but im still waiting for my copy.
What a joke!!

lehanemore · 31-10-2007 6:41pm

Dee5 wrote: »

Ah cool so your nearly there. Have you found out where you going to be stationed?
I passed out last December, with the pilot set (with Robbie) It's great fun How is everyone finding it etc...? Any questions just ask

Hi Dee5:)

I'm currently going through the recruitment process.

do reserves have to get stuck in where there's public order offences/drunkeness/violence going on, or are they kept back at a safe distance, monitoring CCTV etc?

pat1187 · 31-10-2007 7:57pm

murph,

yes, you can sort out your uniform but it can take for ages,the upside is I now have four shirts, albeit two small ones.

and lehanemore, as to public order, cannon fodder, but great craic,nothing like a uniform to stop a fight.

Dee5 · 31-10-2007 10:46pm

Ah no you just have to get stuck in if there is a row. Plus when all the full timers are lashing in it's hard to just stand there and watch. However dont go running into anything without making sure your covered ie make sure your not on your own your partner could be calling for back then go in while back up is on the way.
Also we canott arrest for public disorder etc so it gets kinda messy working the overnight shift.
We hopefully will have some sort of powers under PD soon.I'm based at the mo in the city centre.
We have been moved to units now and I have been put on ComPol. First duty properly as part of the CP unit this weekend.
Am a reservist since Dec last year so nearly a year under my belt now. How time flies when your having fun.

freddiew · 01-11-2007 12:39am

Dee5 wrote: »

Ah no you just have to get stuck in if there is a row. Plus when all the full timers are lashing in it's hard to just stand there and watch. However dont go running into anything without making sure your covered ie make sure your not on your own your partner could be calling for back then go in while back up is on the way.
Also we canott arrest for public disorder etc so it gets kinda messy working the overnight shift.
We hopefully will have some sort of powers under PD soon.I'm based at the mo in the city centre.
We have been moved to units now and I have been put on ComPol. First duty properly as part of the CP unit this weekend.
Am a reservist since Dec last year so nearly a year under my belt now. How time flies when your having fun.

Hi, I understood that Reservists have Powers of Arrest? Maybe it's a local decision for this not to happen and the full time do it to save the Reservist getting time off their normal job to appear in Court. I understood this is what the Super.told me. I will be attached to Pearse Street.

baton charge · 01-11-2007 8:55am

Pat,
I was just wondering have you had any word as to when we are to receive our numbered Epaulets? I understand we cannot go out on duty without them even though some have ventured out with just the embroidered GR in the recent past.
In relation to the power of arrest Reserves do have it under section 4 of the Criminal Justice act for offences that carry a penalty of 5 years or more bla bla.But Dee is right we don't have any Public Order Powers as of yet.But I would not be getting too carried away with arrresting people at this stage.That advice came from full time Gardai.Remember you dont have to arrest people to appear in Court.A simple traffic offence could necessitate your attendance.

pat1187 · 01-11-2007 9:29am

baton charge wrote: »

Pat,
I was just wondering have you had any word as to when we are to receive our numbered Epaulets? I understand we cannot go out on duty without them even though some have ventured out with just the embroidered GR in the recent past.
In relation to the power of arrest Reserves do have it under section 4 of the Criminal Justice act for offences that carry a penalty of 5 years or more bla bla.But Dee is right we don't have any Public Order Powers as of yet.But I would not be getting too carried away with arrresting people at this stage.That advice came from full time Gardai.Remember you dont have to arrest people to appear in Court.A simple traffic offence could necessitate your attendance.

K,
I have not gotten them yet but I spent 6 hours on a barrier at county
final last Sunday wearing only the plain ones that came with the jacket. Wore them on the fluorescent coat.

baton charge · 01-11-2007 2:04pm

pat1187 wrote: »

K,
I have not gotten them yet but I spent 6 hours on a barrier at county
final last Sunday wearing only the plain ones that came with the jacket. Wore them on the fluorescent coat.

Thats great Pat .Have you been assigned to a unit yet? I must ring in and get my units roster so I can make a start.

lehanemore · 01-11-2007 5:07pm

freddiew wrote: »

and how do the full timers accept the Reserves?

for those of you already out on the beat, I would also like to echo the above question:rolleyes:

pat1187 · 01-11-2007 8:21pm

baton charge wrote: »

Thats great Pat .Have you been assigned to a unit yet? I must ring in and get my units roster so I can make a start.

K,
regular Station Sergent is on holidays and current one did not jump at unit idea when I suggested it. I am on for opening of new shopping center next Wednesday so this duty and my last one would not have made any difference if I had had a unit or not. I assume it will happen when Sergent gets back.
I would think that in order to fill in the competency forms, the unit Sergent would need to be familiar with them and me.How are they going with you as it seems I heard M. had started filling in hers during phase 4? Didn't get a chance to chat with you,L, or S at the attestation so hope B's get together goes ahead.

baton charge · 02-11-2007 12:17am

pat1187 wrote: »

K,
regular Station Sergent is on holidays and current one did not jump at unit idea when I suggested it. I am on for opening of new shopping center next Wednesday so this duty and my last one would not have made any difference if I had had a unit or not. I assume it will happen when Sergent gets back.
I would think that in order to fill in the competency forms, the unit Sergent would need to be familiar with them and me.How are they going with you as it seems I heard M. had started filling in hers during phase 4? Didn't get a chance to chat with you,L, or S at the attestation so hope B's get together goes ahead.

Pat I spoke to Albert about those competency forms during the summer and he said we would need to discuss them further in relation to what should go into them and so was to set them aside.Heard nothing further so I haven't filled in any.You seem to be getting lots of experience anyway.As I said I am tied to my unit and hope to go out in a forthnight or so as times do not suit at the minute.Hope B gets night organised soon. I kept RTE news tape from passing out Cermony I must say ye looked mighty fine.

Garda Reserve Training

Comments