Army Cadetship

YOUNGGUN

Physical fitness, group assessment and psychometric tests are taking place next week for the cadetship competition.

Anybody with any tips or pointers for them?

DDLR

Yes i have a interview next week, Its my 3th one in three year
3th time lucky i hope,

YOUNGGUN

Have you managed to get past the preliminary interview stage on previous occasions?

If so what was your expereince of the respective tests?

What was the reasons for failure?

Anybody else who cares to add their previous experience of the cadetship selection process would be welcomed.

DDLR

YOUNGGUN wrote:

Have you managed to get past the preliminary interview stage on previous occasions?

If so what was your expereince of the respective tests?

What was the reasons for failure?

Anybody else who cares to add their previous experience of the cadetship selection process would be welcomed.

No i never got past the interview stage, But i was only 18 at my first one, So i needed to grow up a bit, Im looking forword to this one, All my family have been in the army for the last 40 year,

Paul S

Having passed the entire selection proceess and completed 1 year of a cadetship here is my advice.

Psychmetric tests - go online and practice these. That way you will know what to expect and it allows you to move faster through each round of the test. Don't panic whilst doing the test. If you can't complete a question LEAVE IT! Move on to one you can do! These tests are designed to test your all round ability. It's better to complete as many of the ones you can do rather than sit for an hour pondering one you're not sure about! At the end of the day its not like an exam that you pass or fail, its simply a case of what you can or cannot do.

Group Assesment - We didn't have that back in my day (which wasn't that long ago either). I would imagine they are looking for people that can show confidence, leadership, guidance, logic and awareness of those arounfd them. Again don't be afraid to be yourself. At the end of the day this selection process is designed so that they pick the person suitable for the job. Show assertiveness where necessary - leaders a strong but don't over do it. You don't want to look like a gob ****e. Make sure you involve everyone - The army is all about team work, don't let others dominate too much. Be confident in yourself and your own ability!

Physical assesment - Get running sunshine!! It's really just a formality. If you pass everything else then they just need you to pass the bare essentials of the PT test. Don't show off by doing 100 push ups and then be too tired to be able to do your 20 sit ups. take a good strong balance and do 30 of each in a minute or something. As for the running - do train. Measure the distance and time yourself. See what you can run it in now - give yourself two weeks and strive to improve. When you train in the cadets physically everyone trains at the same level. Those who are not as fit as everyone else will eventually be brought up to the same standard. My advice to anyone who wants to make it is be as fit as you can when you are joining. The fitter and healthier you are the easier you will find the initial 3 months/Glen training.

My other advice is enjoy it. Believe me you will never have/sit in a more testing interview than your final interview for a Cadetship. It will make every other inetrview you ever do seem like a walk in the park and will increase your confidence ten fold. At the end of the day they are still people underneath those uniforms so don't be afraid. The initial reaction is to be intimidated.
If you do make it in, enjoy it. You'll have some of the most amazing experiences of your life. It's the toughest thing you'll ever do, but every day is worth it. You'll learn more about yourself and your own abilities in the first three months than you have on the last 18+ years!
Also if you don't get in this time don't be disheartened. There were lads in my class and it was their 3rd time applying and eventually got in! Alternatives are to join as a private and work hard enough that you're recommended for a cadetship. There are many officers in the DF that started as priovates but were recommended for cadetships shortly into their service.

Any thing else you want to know PM me.

YOUNGGUN

Excellent advise Paul S. Really looking forward to it, went out for a 10k run last night, feeling good about the whole process. As they say, pre-planning, programming and preparation leads to perfect results!!

Can you tell me what is the allowable weekend leave allocated for cadets during the first three months?

I know that the idea is to withdraw you from civilian life and instill a sense of duty to the Defence Forces.

As per military.ie

"Stage 1 - This consists of the initial socialisation into developing as a leader in a military institution and with learning basic military skills together with foundation level academic education. A directive approach towards respect for truth, honour and loyalty as well as a sense of duty is to the fore. Areas such as weapons training, map reading, tactical training, military writing and courtesy & etiquette are taught. Physical fitness is developed to a peak."

testicle

YOUNGGUN wrote:

Can you tell me what is the allowable weekend leave allocated for cadets during the first three months?

Zero

civdef

I understand that has changed in recent times.

testicle

So I hear. All molly-coddliing in my book. I hear senior cadets are allowed their own cars these days. Good be with the days!

Freedomfighter

The advice above is all good. Run, run and run. I trained hard for 6 months before i joined. Actually joined a running club. But remember the ability to run till the cows come home is no good when they eventually put a back pack on your back and you fall to sh!t. But put in the miles then slowly introduce some weight. A ruck sack with weight. Or get a back pack and start hill walking. Believe me when i say this the better prepared you are physically the more you can concentrate on the other stuff. Do lots of push ups and sit ups. Like above aim for level standards. Try getting 55 to 60 in a minute.
It will be a self discovery journey, love it or hate it. Try to love it.
And the best piece of advice i can give you is " In one ear and out the other ". When they are screaming at you calling you everthing under the sun ignore it all.
You will love escape and evasion....... Oh the memories

Paul S

Its true just ignore the insults and abuse - its all part of the mental preperation. Soon people screaming at you will be like water off a Ducks back.

YOUNGGUN

Perhaps someone can give me some advise. I am attending for my medical and final interview for the cadetship next week.

I know about the required competencies, the interview panel and the way to approach the final interview.

But, is there any particular points of information that may assist me in the interview. What type of questions can throw people off ? Will they be likely to ask about your knowledge of current affairs ? If so what are the hot topics of today i.e. Defence Bill is passed by the Dáil !! What questions were previous candidates asked that surprised them? You get the picture.


Anyway, some help/assistance with this would be excellent.

purple'n'gold

would anyone want to join an army that is too small to be effective, and cannot function in any conflict because it has no air cover?

Hagar

purple'n'gold troll here at your peril. Consider this a warning.

Hagar (mod mode on)

babybundy

if worst came to worst the irish army would not fight as a conventional army i no i wouldn't stand in line if i thought i was well out numbered in my own contry i would do wat i no would be effective and thats form colums with my lads and all i talk to (as we regularly have this conversation) would do the same

babybundy

oh ya i forgot to say this we funtion well abroad anyway as is

Bam Bam

YOUNGGUN wrote:

Perhaps someone can give me some advise. I am attending for my medical and final interview for the cadetship next week.

I know about the required competencies, the interview panel and the way to approach the final interview.

But, is there any particular points of information that may assist me in the interview. What type of questions can throw people off ? Will they be likely to ask about your knowledge of current affairs ? If so what are the hot topics of today i.e. Defence Bill is passed by the Dáil !! What questions were previous candidates asked that surprised them? You get the picture.


Anyway, some help/assistance with this would be excellent.

How'd it go?

YOUNGGUN

Bam Bam wrote:

How'd it go?

Passed the medical i.e. Hearing, Vision, Dental, no problem. Then over to Mc Kee for the interview which lasted approx. 50 mins. Discussed areas in my life to date where i had demonstrated Leadership, Planning, Working with others, Motivation etc.

I felt that it went good, didn't stumble on any of the questions they asked me so hopefully i get selected.

Does anyone know when the final results are out??

cushtac

Good luck with that.

testicle

YOUNGGUN wrote:

Passed the medical i.e. Hearing, Vision, Dental, no problem. Then over to Mc Kee for the interview which lasted approx. 50 mins. Discussed areas in my life to date where i had demonstrated Leadership, Planning, Working with others, Motivation etc.

I felt that it went good, didn't stumble on any of the questions they asked me so hopefully i get selected.

Does anyone know when the final results are out??

Same time as Leaving/CAO results.

Sgt Slaughter

Is the final interview similar to the initial interview or is there a significant difference in format etc. or does it follow the same method of questioning of the preliminary interview