Whats the F.C.A. like?

Just after straining the spuds for a sample for my FCA medical today.

It got me thinking that i know feck all about the fca.Has anyone ever been?What the hell do you actually do there?Is it just marching and drinking?

Ag marbh

It's a waste of time and a shambles

the_syco

Where are you joining? It all depends on that. Some are good, some are crap.

the_syco

the_syco wrote:

Where are you joining? It all depends on that. Some are good, some are crap.

Im in Leitrim.55th battalion I think!We will prob be in Fermoy.

testicle

http://www.irishmilitaryonline.com/board

Manic Moran

the_syco wrote:

Where are you joining? It all depends on that. Some are good, some are crap.

What he said. When I had told some friends who were in the know what unit I was signing up with, they told me in no uncertain terms to get out of it, and to join a different one, as the original one was not well thought of. So I joined the then-11th Cav. That was one of my better moves, in hindsight.

The RDF, as it is now called, is getting something of a reworking. The theory is to get it up to British TA standards, if not US National Guard levels, and to have it as a genuinely viable source of trained manpower. Unfortunately, everything I'm reading/hearing indicates that the lofty goals are not necessarily being supported by the appropriate legislation, for multiple-week summer training, pay for weekends/evenings, and most importantly, there is still a lack of legislation for employment protection, which is critical.

There is also something of a serious 'looking down on' by many in the PDF on the RDF, with the result that I know RDF members who are desperate to train, but the PDF cadre staff who in effect run the unit couldn't be arsed to 'give the guys the toys so they can play at soldiers.' Access to many of the courses is also limited.

The above said, however, if you're in a squared-away unit, it can be quite a rewarding experience, and given the intent to have PDF units 'rounded out' by RDF ones, possibly with foreign/UN deployments on the cards, I think the moderately near future should show a fairly drastic improvement. Then again, I'm an optomist.

NTM

Krusty

I was in the FCA for around 5 years, and it was fuppin great.
F#!k the nay-sayers and pi$$-takers around who spout the usual drivil like 'fools carrying arms' etc.

I learned a hell of a lot over the 5 years. Went on many military excercises (one big one down the country that had the army + air corps involved), loads of shooting down the range, the yearly camp was class aswell. Loads of other bits n bobs like weapons training, lectures on all things military etc.

Not one regret (actually just one, the fact that i left!:eek: Bloody college).

As the previous posters mention, I'm sure it depends on where you are and what battalion you join, but I can't recommend it enough. I hope if it's still around when I have Krusty Jnrs. that they'd join aswell.

Downtime

Krusty wrote:

I was in the FCA for around 5 years, and it was fuppin great.
F#!k the nay-sayers and pi$$-takers around who spout the usual drivil like 'fools carrying arms' etc.

I learned a hell of a lot over the 5 years. Went on many military excercises (one big one down the country that had the army + air corps involved), loads of shooting down the range, the yearly camp was class aswell. Loads of other bits n bobs like weapons training, lectures on all things military etc.

Not one regret (actually just one, the fact that i left!:eek: Bloody college).

As the previous posters mention, I'm sure it depends on where you are and what battalion you join, but I can't recommend it enough. I hope if it's still around when I have Krusty Jnrs. that they'd join aswell.

I agree with everything Krusty says - I regret that I left aswell. Was great craic.

peepsbates

i had the time of me life in it:D even got to take part in pvt ryan, me son is 8 years old n he cant wait till he can sign up.the pdf did tend to look down on us though, sandbaggers they used to call us i think:eek:

tallus

Never Joined up Myself, but my dad was a company sergeant in the 2nd field medics based in Griffith barracks on the south circular rd in Dub. He was a member for 25 years and he loved it.
They used to do a drill squad for the Austrian ambassador every year for a number of years, seen it a few times, it was class.

Dave!

I'm hoping to join at some stage in the near future!

This thread might help:
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2054882136

Ruu_Old

Two of my brothers were in it for a couple of years and both enjoyed it.

GerryRyan

I'm in the process of joining myself - Newbridge area. (62 F.A.R. I think)
Wasn't too impressed with the wait in between application and medical tbh - Nov 05 to May 06, but other than that I'd say it's alright. Just waiting to be called back to be sworn in now.

The camps in Easter/Summer are good craic by all accounts (or so I'm told).

Can anyone tell me what a normal training night is like then? - might be handy before I turn up.

Ag marbh wrote:

It's a waste of time and a shambles

Bit more specific?

Tar.Aldarion

My sister was in it, seems pretty cool.

Esel

Hasn't been called the FCA for a few years now. It's the Reserve Defence Force (RDF).

Apologies esel!Well I'm heading to fermoy on 28th of july.It should be interesting?Did anyone ever go there?

kaizersoze

I was in it for 2 years back in the 80's and enjoyed every minute of it.
Free Clothes Association as it was known then. The equipment was poor at the time (left overs from the 1916 rising I'd say) but now they have a greater interaction with the RDF and access to all the new gear.
The 2 camps consisted of 4 activities, marching, eating, drinking and sleeping (in that order). At the first camp in Donegal we were given a list of pubs we could NOT go to as they were frequented by the 'RA. I think the fear was that they would fill us drink to get info about the barracks.:rolleyes: