Cadetships

GerryRyan

Hi, don't this if this has been covered, but ...

Thinking of trying for cadets next year or year after.

Is it true they aren't sending cadets off to get degrees at the armys expense anymore, or is it a help to have one before applying?

What do they look for in the interviews, is it based on academics or sporting achievments (along those lines)?

Had a look at armys site 'military.ie' and it said you must 'satisy the minister of justice as to character' what exactly do they mean by this?

Is the whole nepotism thing still an issue (I've had uncles etc going on about it)?

Sorry again if it's been covered (still have to figure out how to work search function)

TempestSabre

I'm not knocking it, not being smart and maybe its changed but I think its more who you know. Right school, knowing the right people, ie family in army, guards that kinda thing. They'll ask you lots about current affairs, lots about the current services their role, recent operations. If theres anyone from your school, past pupils, teachers with any force connections, any experience in the FCA etc. There is a touch of the old boys network about it.

If I was you I'd started getting involved with the right people now, find out events you can take part of organisations to join that kinda thing. Be in the right clubs, get to know some people in the army etc. While it is nepotism it also demonstrates a real interest in the career. Something I considered a lot in the past.

Rabies

A friend of mine went for it and got through. Only 30 people picked each year.

I think there is 2 interviews, a medical and a physical.
Training lasts about 20months. Very tough from what I have been told.

Expect to get blisters on your feet where previous blister have recently burst :eek:

The army will put you through college and pay you while you are in education. But for every year you attend college then you owe the army 3 or 4 years of service in return.

muletide

TempestSabre wrote:

I'm not knocking it, not being smart and maybe its changed but I think its more who you know. Right school, knowing the right people, ie family in army, guards that kinda thing. They'll ask you lots about current affairs, lots about the current services their role, recent operations. If theres anyone from your school, past pupils, teachers with any force connections, any experience in the FCA etc. There is a touch of the old boys network about it.

If I was you I'd started getting involved with the right people now, find out events you can take part of organisations to join that kinda thing. Be in the right clubs, get to know some people in the army etc. While it is nepotism it also demonstrates a real interest in the career. Something I considered a lot in the past.

Yeah its nepotism alright
Thats why the Army has invested thousands in its Cadet recruitment process and hired outside recruitment agencies to assist in its selection.
The army makes you go through two interviews, a fitness test, aptitude test and personality profiling just so they can hire some Commandants son.

dont post such comments on something which you obviously have no idea about

As for the OP
1. Get fit
2. Join clubs/associations where you can show some leadership traits no matter how small.
3. Look for positions of responsibility in your school/club/part-time job
4. Get some interview practice

And yes they will still put you through college

muletide

Rabies wrote:

A friend of mine went for it and got through. Only 30 people picked each year.

I think there is 2 interviews, a medical and a physical.
Training lasts about 20months. Very tough from what I have been told.

Expect to get blisters on your feet where previous blister have recently burst :eek:

The army will put you through college and pay you while you are in education. But for every year you attend college then you owe the army 3 or 4 years of service in return.

35 picked last year + 10 air Corps
52 year before +10 Air Corp
Training is 15 months

TempestSabre

muletide wrote:

...dont post such comments on something which you obviously have no idea about...

I'm glad your experiences of it were different to mine and the people I know who did it, including those I know in the services. Use recruitment agencies? You might aswell spin the bottle. I'd have more faith in nepotism. Which you seem to think is a negative comment about it. Which wasn't my point at all. In other industries its called networking.

I know of one case where a guy did 7 interviews, including group interviews, and medicals including psychological assessment. Then after 3 or 4 months training, during the flight training he finally admitted he was scared of flying. So recruitment and selection processes aren't the sure thing they claim to be.

aido_2006

I reckon its pretty much like going for normal army, they want to see ur active in sports, confident, good natured but most of all that you have the ability to lead people!!

Rabies

muletide wrote:

35 picked last year + 10 air Corps
52 year before +10 Air Corp
Training is 15 months

Thanks for clearing it up. Wasn't too sure. Friend got through in '99 I think.
Loves it. Came back in the last batch from Libera.
He didn't get accepted the first time. 3 people dropped out or something soon after starting and he was next on the list to get in.