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Going for a commission in the RDF

  • 19-10-2010 10:08pm
    #1
    MLH1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 159 ✭✭


    Been in the RDF over 7 years, been a quite active member for all of those years, only recently did my PNCO course and haven't been officially promoted to Cpl yet. Just afer chatting with my CO about the possibilty of going for a commission in my career, and was just wondering what opinions/ experience people have on about this and some may be able to answer a few questions I have.

    Firstly what age to you have to be under on the day you are commissioned? I have heard 32/36

    Does the craic in the RDF go, when you become an officer, I have often heard the 3 best ranks, are 3 stars, stripes and pips.

    Any other info people want to contribute would be appreciated.

    Thanks


Comments

  • #2
    Cool Running
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 451 ✭✭Cool Running


    Ive seen two corporals from my unit get commissioned recently enough. From what Ive heard the course itself its pretty tough. Its based out over two years combining so many weekends and around 3 weeks solid each year.

    You will really have to work for it. All aspects will obviously be covered. There tends to be a number of drop outs from the first year as even we had two from my own unit drop out before the current two. I think a lot of this comes down to people realising they wont be able to commit the time for the course or when they become commissioned. I don't think its necessarily down to not being able to hack the course.

    As with all courses it all about preparation and a positive can do attitude. The two I seen go through were really on the ball, knowing the manuals inside out, having kit perfect(that's a really big thing, as we learned when they started to inspect us:)), knowing regulations, making decisions under pressure etc

    As regards becoming an officer, ya you will basically be starting at the bottom again as you will get caught for a lot of work. Its only right though and a great way to learn. Probably very true about the best ranks you listed.

    If you have the time and think you would enjoy it and make a good officer then go for it and best of luck with it



    Oh ya not sure about the age thing sorry


  • #3
    goldie fish
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,195 ✭✭✭goldie fish


    Do a standard NCO course first. If you still want a commission after that, go for it.
    Sergeants, in my experience make much better RDF officers than Corporals.
    They just seem to have a better grasp of the bigger picture.

    I also know people who were tipped to be officers who after completing the Standard NCO course decided they would be more useful remaining as NCOs.

    The Labotomy is the most difficult part of course.


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