joining the reserves

james998964

hi guys,

this is my first post. im16 and I have heard that you can join the reserves for 6 weeks during the summer. is that right? me and a friend want to do it next summer and have been told we can join in September, we are interested in doing it in athlone barracks as we live near there. is it true you also get 2500euro?? if it is I'm suprised a lot more are not doing it, thanks for any help you might have guys.

King Ludvig

james998964 wrote: »

hi guys,

this is my first post. im16 and I have heard that you can join the reserves for 6 weeks during the summer. is that right? me and a friend want to do it next summer and have been told we can join in September, we are interested in doing it in athlone barracks as we live near there. is it true you also get 2500euro?? if it is I'm suprised a lot more are not doing it, thanks for any help you might have guys.

Nope someone has been pulling your leg! First off you must be 17 to join the reserves. As for the 6 weeks during the summer, you first have to be sworn in and uniformed up.(This isnt a short process) You'd be too late for this summer Id say. Its a 2 week recruit camp in the summer, but you may also be able to go away for a second 2 weeks for some other excerise (depending on your unit). Pay is about €350 a week (i think??)

You could join in September and you would be trained on a weekly basis and ready for recruit camp 2009, but dont do it just for the money.

Fionn

to enlist in the Reserve Defence Force you need to satisfy the following conditions
be over 17 years of age and under 35
Sucessfully complete a medical examination
Be vetted as suitable for enlistment in the DF (security clearence)

what you'll need: a long form Birth Cert, PPS number, passport photographs (some units will arange this) details of all addresses you lived in since birth.

some more info can be had here http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2054882136&referrerid=&highlight=rdf

the pay rates have changed since then - more on that here http://www.military.ie/reserves/faq/faq.htm#3

the biggest stumbling block for most applicants is the Audiogram (hearing test) this is carried out in a booth with headphones that emit faint tones that you identify by pressing a switch thats connected to the testing machine.
Also be aware that there's a test for colour deficiency you can test it yourself here http://www.toledo-bend.com/colorblind/Ishihara.html
if you cant pass this unfortunately your sunk. Same goes for the hearing or any other part of the medical exam.

james998964

sorry guys I should of been a bit clearer I am going to do it next summer and me and my friend just want to approach it with as much info as possible .

this is our plan so far ,
we sign up this September and in the summer do it. the money is just a bonus because this is somthing we are interested in anyway! is it just a 6week period straight or how exactly does the time you do it work and do you only do it once??, I'm kinda confused, LOL!!
thanks for your help I appriciate it.

minidazzler

You can have UPTO 6 weeks paid. But unless you have a helluva lot of free time during the Year you wont get that.

You will most likely not get a full 6 weeks in one summer unless you go and do duties on a Recruit camp and you have to wait until after recruit camp before you can do that.

To put it simply, I am probably the only person in my unit except got my RQ who will actually complete a full 6 weeks this year. And only 2 weeks is actually during the summer. (I am on 4 already)

It really depends on your unit but It is unlikely you will get 6 weeks in one summer, Especially your first summer!!!!

james998964

ha hah I'm a bit eager but everything I have heard so far sounds great any cons you know of? and when you are training is it done in blocks of a week or in sessions?? I heard also(problly wrong) that you are in full kit and left in a woods for 2days to fend for yourself , sounds fun, you ever do it?

eroo

james998964 wrote: »

I heard also(problly wrong) that you are in full kit and left in a woods for 2days to fend for yourself , sounds fun, you ever do it?

No,not even PDF(ARW probably do so in small teams) do that,the Defence Forces aren't trying to kill ya!They will however do 24hr exercises where an entire Company/Battalion may be doing tactics,and that will involve the Coy/BN being on the ground for 24 hours.They may also conduct 48hr exercises.All depends on unit really.

Grudaire

And out of curiosity I was thinking about joining the naval reserve, pro's/con's? hours?

eroo

This thread is the prime example of why people should add to PDF/RDF recruitment thread!

Grudaire

Well if someone adds anything about the naval reserve I'd be much obliged!:D

minidazzler

From what I have seen of the Naval Reserve they get paid most, (Due to being at sea) and they have a great laugh.

They learn the basics of shiplife during recruit training, such as Rope work, I have heard of some of them getting to pilot the Ships.

Other than being att sea they basically do the same stuff as the actual Navy they just do it less.

From what I have seen the Full-timers appreciate them more than the Full-timers appreciate the Army Reserve!!!

Grudaire

ok, now thats a start- any idea what kind of hours are involved- camps, and weekly stuff?

minidazzler

2 hours every week, (tuesdays in Cork) For Recruits I am pretty sure that is learning the basics of Ropes and Firefighting on ships. And of course footdrill and arms drill.

Their first recruit camp a friend of mine spent one week on land doing the stuff AR do such as firing and other stuff. Then they went to sea for a week with the Navy and learned sea survival and other stuff.

This is all stuff I heard off of a friend, While I do trust what he said maybe I got something lost in translation.

From what I hear it is a fantastic time. Since there are much fewer people in the NSR the comraderie is huge, Join and you should really enjoy it.

Grudaire

I think I shall! **** it I will, thanks a million.

minidazzler

No bother, Its always great to get another Reservist.

Oh and don't be fazed about the wait for your clearence and stuff.

eroo

Cliste wrote: »

I think I shall! **** it I will, thanks a million.

One of my Cpl's was formerly in NSR.He said it was great but ate up a lot of time,as ALL camps and guard duties are done at Haulbowline or Kilrush.With the army,your camp sites can vary.However,NSR get paid much more and do actually carry out what they are trained to do.i.e.sailing.With the Army Reserve,you'll only get to do certain duties,but you won't be going overseas or anything like that.

Grudaire

eroo wrote: »

but you won't be going overseas or anything like that.

Good! I'll ring tomorrow.

twinytwo

in relation to the medical for the rdf do they do the "grab and cough"?

minidazzler

twinytwo wrote: »

in relation to the medical for the rdf do they do the "grab and cough"?

No they dont, sorry to disappoint.:(

If the Doc whips out a glove and some lube though, Run.:eek:

twinytwo

minidazzler wrote: »

No they dont, sorry to disappoint.:(

If the Doc whips out a glove and some lube though, Run.:eek:

oh believe me id be out the gap so fast id break the sound barrier..
so there is no standing around bollocks naked waiting to get probed... the medical must be very basic then?

concussion

Medical history
Height, weight and BMI
Blood pressure
Eyesight
Colour vision
Audiogram (hearing test)
Urine test (AFAIK this is a glucose test for diabetes)

Most people fail the colour vision or the audiogram. A lot of girls don't make the 5'2" cut off.

eroo

minidazzler wrote: »

No they dont, sorry to disappoint.:(

If the Doc whips out a glove and some lube though, Run.:eek:

even if it's a super hot female MO???:p

What are they looking for in medical history?Just to make sure you aren't dying etc?:D

concussion

Same thing as any medical history...any serious injuries or illnesses. Have you ever suffered from seizures or dizziness? When was the last time you visited a doctor, is there any history of heart disease, diabetes etc in your family...IIRC they also note any scars or tattoos you have.

minidazzler

They check for foot arches as well and they do take a quick look at your bollix just to make sure you have them both.

mr.miagi

by the looks of it some units are more strict than others
i know a girl less than 5 foot in it
and a fella that failed the audiogram 2ce and was still allowed in:)

i wouldnt be to worried about it
just dont go in hiding something:pac:

minidazzler

Miagi, Its all to do with the Doctors not the Unit Per se. But some docs just think something along the lines of "Its Only the reserves sure go on"

mr.miagi

ya well ya can see what i mean
3/5 times they will let you slide