Ireland's first Female naval commander completes her first tour of duty.

Nevyn

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2010/1113/1224283235344.html

TWO YEARS after she took the LE Aisling out of Galway’s docks, the Naval Service’s first female commanding officer bid farewell to her crew in the same location yesterday.

Lieut Cdr Roberta O’Brien has completed her first two-year rotation as a ship’s captain, some 15 years after she was the first woman to be commissioned in the service.

She will work in policy and planning for two years ashore before returning to sea again. Her command was taken over yesterday by Lieut Cdr Martin Brett, son of a former Naval Service flag officer Cmdr Liam Brett.

Paying tribute to her crew members in Galway, Lieut Cdr O’Brien singled out their role in several operations, including a drugs-related mission at night involving armed personnel, and a simulated search and rescue, Operation Purple Drum.

The ship, which is twinned with Galway, provided safety cover for the Volvo ocean race stopover last year.

Lieut Cdr O’Brien, from Co Tipperary, said one of her most memorable experiences over the past two years was “that first trip out of Galway, with no one checking you over your shoulder”.

“I also remember one Christmas season we were due to come in for the weekend and were sent back out 140 miles west on a particular fishery patrol, in borderline conditions,” she said.

“The fishing vessel wasn’t detained, but was boarded in very challenging weather. The crew didn’t complain – just got on with it.”

With the Atlantic reported to be getting rougher, Lieut Cdr O’Brien has tested her sea legs on many occasions – not least when the ship made a 45-degree roll in heavy seas off Mizen Head. “It is something that you think about differently when you are responsible for an entire crew.”

Her second-in-command during most of her time at sea was also a woman – Lieut Claire Murphy – and “half the wardroom” on the LE Aisling were female, she says.

Lieut Cdr Orlaith Gallagher, who also has 15 years’ service, has just taken over the helm of LE Emer , while Lieut Cdr Nessa Maloney recently served as relief commanding officer on the coastal patrol ship LE Ciara .

For only the second time in their marriage, both Lieut Cdr O’Brien and husband, Capt Peadar Ó Catháín of the Army, are at home.

He has completed four tours of duty overseas, but when in formal Naval Service company he must address his spouse as “ma’am”.

The Defence Forces have accepted female applicants into the Army since 1980, and since 1995 in the Naval Service.

Women comprise just over 5 per cent of the total serving in the Defence Forces.

Nevyn

I find myself wondering why they had to mention her husband and how he has to respect her rank when appropriate? Would she be less of a sucess if she wasn't married?

Jim

Thaedydal wrote: »

I find myself wondering why they had to mention her husband and how he has to respect her rank when appropriate? Would she be less of a sucess if she wasn't married?

Probably for the same reason the whole thing is a story at all.

Emme

Thaedydal wrote: »

I find myself wondering why they had to mention her husband and how he has to respect her rank when appropriate? Would she be less of a sucess if she wasn't married?

Maybe they were highlighting the sacrifices the couple had made for their military careers.

"For only the second time in their marriage, both Lieut Cdr O’Brien and husband, Capt Peadar Ó Catháín of the Army, are at home."

Caoimhín

And she didnt sink it even once. Although i heard she was backing it into Cork docks and scraped the side of another boat.

// Runs for cover//

Only jesting girls, ive had a dozen crashes, scrapes and penalty points

Silverfish

Caoimhín wrote: »

And she didnt sink it even once. Although i heard she was backing it into Cork docks and scraped the side of another boat.

// Runs for cover//

Only jesting girls, ive had a dozen crashes, scrapes and penalty points

Caoimhín, considering your history on this forum, I would recommend you read the charter and only post here if you have something to actually contribute to a topic.

Thanks.

Raze_them_all

Tbh i find the bit about the husband having to adress her pointless. He's in the army, they don't exactly work together with the navy often and the chances of him working with her are even rarer.

Manic Moran

Tbh i find the bit about the husband having to adress her pointless. He's in the army, they don't exactly work together with the navy often and the chances of him working with her are even rarer.

There may not be many 'working' occasions, but you know that there will be plenty of occasions wherein they are likely to be together in a military setting. I'll be surprised if, for example, he was not in attendance at her assumption of command.

It's a common problem for dual-military spouses in the US, they're not allowed show any affection for each other at all when in public and in uniform. I don't read anything into the inclusion of the comment in the article, it's just a piece of humorous trivia.

She will work in policy and planning for two years ashore before returning to sea again

Lucky creature to have such a guarantee. When I rotate out of command, I'm likely going to end up at a desk for the rest of my career. Downside of being an officer, the fun stops eventually, and usually far too soon.

NTM (Interloper)

Raze_them_all

Manic Moran wrote: »

There may not be many 'working' occasions, but you know that there will be plenty of occasions wherein they are likely to be together in a military setting. I'll be surprised if, for example, he was not in attendance at her assumption of command.

It's a common problem for dual-military spouses in the US, they're not allowed show any affection for each other at all when in public and in uniform. I don't read anything into the inclusion of the comment in the article, it's just a piece of humorous trivia.



Lucky creature to have such a guarantee. When I rotate out of command, I'm likely going to end up at a desk for the rest of my career. Downside of being an officer, the fun stops eventually, and usually far too soon.

NTM (Interloper)

Ireland's one naval base afaik is in cork.
I can't imagine to many times that they would be together in military setting, also do you have to refer to your superiors as sir/ma'am even when you're off duty as I imagine he would have to be to attend her assumption of command?

discus

Spent a bit of time with ex-Irish army guy up in Palace Barracks the other week, he couldn't stop commenting on seeing female high rankers. Didn't see too many in his time in Cork, apparently.

28064212

Thaedydal wrote: »

I find myself wondering why they had to mention her husband and how he has to respect her rank when appropriate? Would she be less of a sucess if she wasn't married?

That seems like you're stretching for some hidden sexist agenda when there isn't any.

There isn't any reason for mentioning that her second-in-command was a woman, or any reason for mentioning that the rotation was 2 years in length, or that a man was replacing her. The only strictly relevant details are in the headline, but that would be a pretty boring article.

Nevyn

Nope not looking for sexist anything, just find it wonderful why it was mentioned.

Victor

I know her uncle (Army Reserve) and I've met Roberta twice and her husband (Army, can't remember his name, lovely guy) once. The family have a military history going back to at least the 1940s. Her grandfather was a senior NCO in the navy and several of the uncles have been in the army or navy.

Thaedydal wrote: »

I find myself wondering why they had to mention her husband and how he has to respect her rank when appropriate? Would she be less of a sucess if she wasn't married?

I'm not sure if I was being sexist, but I certainly wasn't chivalrous to the husband and it was hilarious to watch him blush and squirm when I quietly enquired "Eh, do I have it correct that she out-ranks you?"

It is important to see women rising above their male peers, especially when its done on merit. That is the point of her addressing her as "Ma'am" (although there is the option of addressing her as "Sir").