RDF?

Maybe_Memories

Right, so long story short I wanted to join the air corp but can't due to an eye issue and they require vision to be uncorrected. However with prism lenses my condition is easily fixed and I would pass a first class medical, so I'm very much considering becoming an airline pilot when I'm finished college (studying maths).

I would still like to be involved in the military though and would like to join the RDF. I emailed Cathal Brugha barracks (twice!) and asked to call in to chat about it but they never replied. So I have a few questions.

Firstly, how does one actually join the RDF?

What are the vision requirements for the RDF? I'm at least 6/6 (20/20) in my left eye and at least 6/9 (20/30) in my right eye and have perfect colour vision, but are there any other requirements?

A friend of mine was in the RDF a few years ago and I said you have a weekly training session, the odd Sunday and a two week camp in the summer.
What happens at the weekly thing? and since it's only one night a week, what else do the RDF do? I ask this because I often see some of the lads walking around Rathmines in the afternoon.

Is it possible to attend training at different barracks? I ask this because half of the year I live in Dublin and the other half in Tipperary, so would it be possible to attend the training in the Southern Brigade barracks since Dublin wouldn't be possible?

Final question... What level of military training would one acquire from the RDF if you were in it for a fair number of years and ranked up a fair bit?


Thanks very much and sorry for the long post.

Maoltuile

Maybe_Memories wrote: »

I would still like to be involved in the military though and would like to join the RDF. I emailed Cathal Brugha barracks (twice!) and asked to call in to chat about it but they never replied. So I have a few questions.

Firstly, how does one actually join the RDF?

What are the vision requirements for the RDF? I'm at least 6/6 (20/20) in my left eye and at least 6/9 (20/30) in my right eye and have perfect colour vision, but are there any other requirements?

A friend of mine was in the RDF a few years ago and I said you have a weekly training session, the odd Sunday and a two week camp in the summer.
What happens at the weekly thing? and since it's only one night a week, what else do the RDF do? I ask this because I often see some of the lads walking around Rathmines in the afternoon.

Is it possible to attend training at different barracks? I ask this because half of the year I live in Dublin and the other half in Tipperary, so would it be possible to attend the training in the Southern Brigade barracks since Dublin wouldn't be possible?

Final question... What level of military training would one acquire from the RDF if you were in it for a fair number of years and ranked up a fair bit?

To take them in order:

i) You need to pick a unit, and turn up at their parade night.

ii) Colour blindness aside, the eyesight requirements aren't all that stringent.

iii) The weekly parade night consists of check parade, and two or three classes.

iv) You can attend training with different units than your home one - it's called 'attachment'. It's easier to organise within your own corps.

v) You'd get a subset of everything the PDF does, albeit to a lower level. In my humble opinion, a Corps Unit would be better value in that you'd pick up additional skills.

Anything else: http://www.military.ie/reserve/faq

DipStick McSwindler

This post has been deleted.

VonLuck

Maoltuile wrote: »

To take them in order:
iii) The weekly parade night consists of check parade, and two or three classes.

Hope I'm not hijacking the thread but could you elaborate on that? I assume a check parade is just practicing for actual parades, but what do the classes involve?

I was considering joining the RDF but I wasn't exactly sure what was involved.

And feeney, I see you said that there is no recruitment for the RDF, how long is that for?

I was also considering joining a specialist unit. Is there a different requirement for that, besides a degree in certain situations? Does it require more time commitment?

Thanks.

Turbine

VonLuck wrote: »

And feeney, I see you said that there is no recruitment for the RDF, how long is that for?

There is recruitment, but there are only so many vacancies allocated to each unit by each brigade. So your best bet is to just contact your local barracks, ask about joining the RDF, and if they're not taking people, just keep asking every month or 2, and if nothing else it'll show you're interested. But don't be picky about what unit you want to join, the important thing is to just 'get in'. You can always request a transfer to another unit later on.

VonLuck wrote: »

I was also considering joining a specialist unit. Is there a different requirement for that, besides a degree in certain situations? Does it require more time commitment?

You don't need a degree to join the RDF, or even a Junior/Leaving Cert. Assuming you get to the stage where they offer you a place, you just need to pass the medical and garda vetting checks, which can take up to 3 months.

Maoltuile

VonLuck wrote: »

Hope I'm not hijacking the thread but could you elaborate on that? I assume a check parade is just practicing for actual parades, but what do the classes involve?

Check parade is inspection of the troops at the start of the night - for dress and deportment, etc.

The content of the classes are every aspect of soldiering that the RDF can teach you - weapons handling, marksmanship, tactics, fieldcraft, first aid, navigation, foot drill, arms drill etc.

And feeney, I see you said that there is no recruitment for the RDF, how long is that for?

I was also considering joining a specialist unit. Is there a different requirement for that, besides a degree in certain situations? Does it require more time commitment?

Corps units are excellent choices if you have an interest in a certain field, or your 'real' job is related - for example, Dublin Fire Brigade medics joining the Medical Corps.

You don't require existing qualifications or experience to join, though an aptitude for the Corps speciality means (IMO) that you will get a lot more out of it.

ruserious

As the RDF also includes the Naval Service Reserve, there is much experience, adventure, friends and excitment to be gained there.

Topper Harley

Turbine wrote: »

Assuming you get to the stage where they offer you a place, you just need to pass the medical and garda vetting checks, which can take up to 3 months.

Unfortunately I think it's more like at least 3 months, and even at that you'd be lucky. But as long as you know to expect a long wait, it's not so bad and you won't be constantly wondering if they've forgotten about you.

Morpheus

theres a recruitment ban service wide on the RDF which includes the Naval Service Reserve. it has been in effect for over a year. there will be no further recruitment until the VFM report on the Defence Forces is complete. At this stage the DOD will make decisions on the future of the Defence Forces of which the Reserve Defence Forces is currently a component. There is no set date on this VFM report being completed as it was due in august last year and has repeatedly slipped and until then you will hear nothing regarding reserves as there is no recruitment, you will see periodic limited recruitment in the permanent defence forces to keep numbers up at 9500, but nothing for reserves.

Doctor14

Morphéus wrote: »

theres a recruitment ban service wide on the RDF which includes the Naval Service Reserve. it has been in effect for over a year. there will be no further recruitment until the VFM report on the Defence Forces is complete. At this stage the DOD will make decisions on the future of the Defence Forces of which the Reserve Defence Forces is currently a component. There is no set date on this VFM report being completed as it was due in august last year and has repeatedly slipped and until then you will hear nothing regarding reserves as there is no recruitment, you will see periodic limited recruitment in the permanent defence forces to keep numbers up at 9500, but nothing for reserves.

Where are you getting this from? I already said that there is limited recruitment. Your unit may not be attesting recruits but a lot of other units are. What you said is wrong.

Morpheus

This is what we have been told. recruitment suspended pending the VFM and decision by DOD. if you can please provide more information I would appreciate it. I didnt post this to annoy people, I posted exactly what I have been told from various sources but RDF and PDF as I feel sorry for people trying to join who are being turned away.

Turbine

Morphéus wrote: »

This is what we have been told. recruitment suspended pending the VFM and decision by DOD. if you can please provide more information I would appreciate it. I didnt post this to annoy people, I posted exactly what I have been told from various sources but RDF and PDF as I feel sorry for people trying to join who are being turned away.

I can vouch for what Doctor14 has said, there was limited recruitment last year. All the places are specifically allocated by Brigade HQ though.

Morpheus

but is that since September last year?

Turbine

Morphéus wrote: »

but is that since September last year?

There were a few places allocated to some units in September, that's all I know. Not sure if any more have been allocated since then.

Morpheus

wish i knew how to officially find out numbers taken and where, so I could hand it to some people who are adamant that no recruits were taken in since before summer 2011.

anishboi

I'm hoping to join as well, I applied last summer, but recruitment has apparently been frozen for the next few months, and years more likely. They are only taking in people who applied late 2009/early 2010.

Maoltuile

Turbine wrote: »

There were a few places allocated to some units in September, that's all I know. Not sure if any more have been allocated since then.

There were at least two units in E Bde that took on recruits after September - but these were people who had been waiting months for the security checks to come through, and so missed taking up their places during the early summer intake.

deise go deo

Morphéus wrote: »

wish i knew how to officially find out numbers taken and where, so I could hand it to some people who are adamant that no recruits were taken in since before summer 2011.

As far as I am aware, Every company in the southern brigade has been given permission to recruit 4 people since summer 2011.
Our Company swore in 4 recruits two weeks ago.

Morpheus

FOUR? f**k me.... TBH if this VFM doesnt come out soon there will be no units left to continue with...

deise go deo

Morphéus wrote: »

FOUR? f**k me.... TBH if this VFM doesnt come out soon there will be no units left to continue with...

Better than nothing, at least it gives our Cpls something to do. There are so few Ptes around lately with that you will often see a section of Cpls being marched around by a Sgt.

Brutus.

Right.. I got attested for the RDF Feb 2011, application went in september 2010. i was on bere island over summer for a two week camp so they did recruit last year. im in 1 south bde. there was 2 platoons of recruits. we have all now reached 2 star pte's. there is recruitment on at present as there are recruits showing up at training nights in my local center. my captain is currently trying to organise a place to do the medical and hearing tests. so they are recruiting to an extent. keep trying