Cadetships 2013

banbatoyota

This year's Cadetship Competition just opened.

It will be my second time applying. Got as far as the interview last year. Not sure how many places this year, but assuming 20-30 for the Army.

Good luck to all.

http://www.military.ie/careers/online-applications

goldie fish

NB, Closing date sunday week.

Ardennes1944

Just finished my degree last year and a postgrad this year, I've always felt my heart wanted to be in the defence Forces, think I will apply for the air corps and see how it goes. I would also like to apply for either the army/navy, can you apply for 2 sections of the df?

EWQuinn

Equitation, thats the place to be, looks to me like they spend a fair amount of time in the air.

http://www.military.ie/education-hq/equitation-school

Jawgap

This may be of interest for anyone considering applying.......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irFnYo4r4OE&list=UUjfwRSvcaGpInbj888JycaA&index=1

Ardennes1944

Watched that earlier, doesnt show much! ive applied anyway. been talking to one or two guys in the navy cadets this year and they love it

neilled

Ardennes1944 wrote: »

Just finished my degree last year and a postgrad this year, I've always felt my heart wanted to be in the defence Forces, think I will apply for the air corps and see how it goes. I would also like to apply for either the army/navy, can you apply for 2 sections of the df?

Yes.

MickJB1989

I note they've kept the laser eye surgery restriction. Anyone have any idea why, given that the UK accept it, and the USA will pay for it to be done?

Even if there is an operational justification, it seems a bit far fetched that it would cause a risk for equestrian candidates.

On another note, given the closing date for applications, do we think those lucky enough to get to the next stage will be invited to the curragh in June, or not until July?

Many thanks

dunnerc

Does anyone know if you can apply for a more than one cadetship i.e army and naval

goldie fish

dunnerc wrote: »

Does anyone know if you can apply for a more than one cadetship i.e army and naval

Yes. You can apply for all of them. But you can only accept one.

dunnerc

thanks.

Ardennes1944

dunnerc wrote: »

Does anyone know if you can apply for a more than one cadetship i.e army and naval

I asked that question like 3 posts up dude, in fairness!

dunnerc

Ardennes1944 wrote: »

I asked that question like 3 posts up dude, in fairness!

well thanks for pointing that out to me dude;)

Podge Kelly

im sitting my leaving cert this june and have had my heart set on a DF career since i was 14.
With family members already in the army i've become more certain that this is what i want. A cadetship would be my dream but as im an 18 year old only sitting the leaving cert with no degrees yet i think its extremely unlikely i'll be considered... is there any ways to better my chances for consideration? other then do a record fitness test haha

Peregrine

Podge Kelly wrote: »

im sitting my leaving cert this june and have had my heart set on a DF career since i was 14.
With family members already in the army i've become more certain that this is what i want. A cadetship would be my dream but as im an 18 year old only sitting the leaving cert with no degrees yet i think its extremely unlikely i'll be considered... is there any ways to better my chances for consideration? other then do a record fitness test haha

Are you fluent in Irish?

mac 21

let the competition begin

Max Manus

Yes let it begin indeed. I couln't apply the last couple of years because I hadn't a third language. Now I have a degree which doesn't require that condition. Going to apply tonight, can't wait. Best of luck to all.

Popular Hardback

Podge Kelly wrote: »

im sitting my leaving cert this june and have had my heart set on a DF career since i was 14.
With family members already in the army i've become more certain that this is what i want. A cadetship would be my dream but as im an 18 year old only sitting the leaving cert with no degrees yet i think its extremely unlikely i'll be considered... is there any ways to better my chances for consideration? other then do a record fitness test haha

Fluent in Irish, excellent results in all subjects, and under 21's county football or equivalent in athletics and overall sporting and academic excellence will take you as far as any degree. Ideally they like to mold candidates first, and then send them off for a degree of the army's choosing. Getting the degree / masters first is not always the best way to get in. Sporting and community achievements and academic results at whatever level you are at, are more important. If you're a genuine contender and have the 'x-factor' in their eyes, you have just as good a chance without a degree as with, as youth and "mold-ability" will be on your side. If you're lacking the sporting and academic 'x-factor' without a degree, you won't get in with one either.

KVA115

Does anyone have a breakdown of the number they're taking in yet?

tomato1988

does anyone know when the psychometric testing will take place, and also the assessment day/(s)?

Max Manus

Popular Hardback wrote: »

Fluent in Irish, excellent results in all subjects, and under 21's county football or equivalent in athletics and overall sporting and academic excellence will take you as far as any degree. Ideally they like to mold candidates first, and then send them off for a degree of the army's choosing. Getting the degree / masters first is not always the best way to get in. Sporting and community achievements and academic results at whatever level you are at, are more important. If you're a genuine contender and have the 'x-factor' in their eyes, you have just as good a chance without a degree as with, as youth and "mold-ability" will be on your side. If you're lacking the sporting and academic 'x-factor' without a degree, you won't get in with one either.

I'm sure with all that they would prefer someone who is in their later years rather than soemone straight out of school. Afterall, officers command some guys their father's age and a bit of maturity will go a long way.

Popular Hardback

Max Manus wrote: »

I'm sure with all that they would prefer someone who is in their later years rather than soemone straight out of school. Afterall, officers command some guys their father's age and a bit of maturity will go a long way.

Going by Cadet intakes year after year, no. A high proportion of the intake are people with just a leaving cert. It's about the x-factor in terms of sporting, leadership and academic ability far more so than age. In fact the younger you can demonstrate that the better. As I said, if you don't have that x-factor and you're not an exceptional achiever by 18 in comparison to you peers, obtaining a degree won't change that. Degrees are great and you'll be sent on for one if you don't have one, but they are also ten a penny.

Max Manus

Popular Hardback wrote: »

Going by Cadet intakes year after year, no. A high proportion of the intake are people with just a leaving cert. It's about the x-factor in terms of sporting, leadership and academic ability far more so than age. In fact the younger you can demonstrate that the better. As I said, if you don't have that x-factor and you're not an exceptional achiever by 18 in comparison to you peers, obtaining a degree won't change that. Degrees are great and you'll be sent on for one if you don't have one, but they are also ten a penny.

Depends which degrees you're referring to and by the way your wrong. All candidates with a third level degree get a 10 per cent bonus mark of their final marks so what does that tell you about the candidates they're looking for?

Popular Hardback

Max Manus wrote: »

Depends which degrees you're referring to and by the way your wrong. All candidates with a third level degree get a 10 per cent bonus mark of their final marks so what does that tell you about the candidates they're looking for?

Can you explain why many of the successful candidates, year after year, are 18/19 with no degree ? Surely, given all the degree candidates that apply, no one without a degree should in theory have a chance ?

As I said, the candidate that would not get in at age 18 without a degree, is not likely to have the x factor needed to get in with a degree. You have to look far beyond a degree in terms of superior ability and achievement above your peers. That's what really counts.

MickJB1989

Popular Hardback wrote: »

Can you explain why many of the successful candidates, year after year, are 18/19 with no degree ? Surely, given all the degree candidates that apply, no one without a degree should in theory have a chance ?

As I said, the candidate that would not get in at age 18 without a degree, is not likely to have the x factor needed to get in with a degree. You have to look far beyond a degree in terms of superior ability and achievement above your peers. That's what really counts.

Not necessarily true, four years at university can do a lot to change a person's outlook on life, not to mention abilities. Personally, I became a lot more interested in sports and physical fitness at uni compared to school. The opportunities once a person gets out into the world can open their eyes to new talents and interests.

Now, if you were to dispute the value of some degrees, and perhaps some institutions, compared to others that would be another kettle of fish. If a junior county player goes to a rubbish uni, and/ or does a Micky mouse degree, then they'd have been as well applying from school, but most 17/18 year olds aren't junior county players

Max Manus

Popular Hardback wrote: »

Can you explain why many of the successful candidates, year after year, are 18/19 with no degree ? Surely, given all the degree candidates that apply, no one without a degree should in theory have a chance ?

As I said, the candidate that would not get in at age 18 without a degree, is not likely to have the x factor needed to get in with a degree. You have to look far beyond a degree in terms of superior ability and achievement above your peers. That's what really counts.

I'm assuming leadership ability is what you mean by x factor. A guy may have plenty of 'x factor' but he may not have the education to make the cut. Leadership ability goes much further than being the 'captain of the your local football team'. It a combination of many factors. Have you considered that the majority of those who want to be cadets are those straight out of school and not graduates? Graduates are afforded far more opportunities than school leavers and this might explain your statistical analysis.

Popular Hardback

MickJB1989 wrote: »

most 17/18 year olds aren't junior county players

That's the point, the vast vast majority of qualifying applicants to the cadets don't get in. You have to be head and shoulders above your peers in every possible respect, it doesn't matter if you're 18 or 22.

Max Manus wrote: »

I'm assuming leadership ability is what you mean by x factor. A guy may have plenty of 'x factor' but he may not have the education to make the cut. Leadership ability goes much further than being the 'captain of the your local football team'. It a combination of many factors. Have you considered that the majority of those who want to be cadets are those straight out of school and not graduates? Graduates are afforded far more opportunities than school leavers and this might explain your statistical analysis.

The 'x-factor' is a lot more than leadership skills, that's only one aspect. I'm not joking here when I say if you have to ask what it is, you don't have it.

Good luck to all in the competition.

Max Manus

Anyone have any idea what the fitness test is like? I heard a rumour that you score more points if can do more push ups?

MickJB1989

Max Manus wrote: »

Anyone have any idea what the fitness test is like? I heard a rumour that you score more points if can do more push ups?

It's in the terms and conditions. Same as usual, which off the top of my head is 11.40 (male) time for 1.5 mile run, and 20 push ups and sit ups in either 1 or 2 minutes. Not particularly challenging really, although I believe they are simply pass/ fail tests, no extra points for excellence (though I imagine it may not go unnoticed!)

Max Manus

MickJB1989 wrote: »

It's in the terms and conditions. Same as usual, which off the top of my head is 11.40 (male) time for 1.5 mile run, and 20 push ups and sit ups in either 1 or 2 minutes. Not particularly challenging really, although I believe they are simply pass/ fail tests, no extra points for excellence (though I imagine it may not go unnoticed!)

Is there a youtube video showing the test? It's not gona be much of a bother to me cause I ran an ultramarathon before, it was p.iss easy.

Miceail22

Max Manus wrote: »

Is there a youtube video showing the test? It's not gona be much of a bother to me cause I ran an ultramarathon before, it was p.iss easy.

Carrying shorts, t shirt and a pair of runners, you animal.

Topper Harley

Max Manus wrote: »

Anyone have any idea what the fitness test is like? I heard a rumour that you score more points if can do more push ups?

1.5 mile run within 11:40 (males) or 13:10 (females);
20 push-ups (modified for females - i.e. knees on the ground) in 60 seconds;
20 sit-ups in 60 seconds.

MickJB1989 wrote: »

although I believe they are simply pass/ fail tests, no extra points for excellence (though I imagine it may not go unnoticed!)

Yes, they're pass/fail. For the push-ups and sit-ups, once you complete the 20 it's marked down as pass. Any more and you're really only wasting energy for the run which you do afterwards.

KVA115

On line aptitude tests next.....should be fun...:)

tomato1988

what is the best way to prepare for the aptitude tests?

Max Manus

tomato1988 wrote: »

what is the best way to prepare for the aptitude tests?

By practicing aptitude tests. You can get a book in Easons with loads of practice tests.

tomato1988

Max Manus wrote: »

By practicing aptitude tests. You can get a book in Easons with loads of practice tests.

good man fair play to you

Max Manus

tomato1988 wrote: »

good man fair play to you

God bless

paulmcgrath

Stupid question.

What is the irish armys defination of a 'situp', because as ye all know.

There are numerous and numerous techniques called 'situps'. What is the real mc coy according to them?

It wasn't me!

paulmcgrath wrote: »

Stupid question.

What is the irish armys defination of a 'situp', because as ye all know.

There are numerous and numerous techniques called 'situps'. What is the real mc coy according to them?

Feet on the ground, not anchored, hands flat on thighs. Lift from the waist while sliding the hands up the thigh until the palms cover the kneecaps. Lower backwards the same way. Feet must remain in contact with the ground.

paulmcgrath

It wasn't me! wrote: »

Feet on the ground, not anchored, hands flat on thighs. Lift from the waist while sliding the hands up the thigh until the palms cover the kneecaps. Lower backwards the same way. Feet must remain in contact with the ground.

Couldn't have asked for a better reply.Cheers

Topper Harley

paulmcgrath wrote: »

Stupid question.

What is the irish armys defination of a 'situp', because as ye all know.

There are numerous and numerous techniques called 'situps'. What is the real mc coy according to them?

Lying on mat, soles of feet flat on the ground, arms straight out in front on top of your legs. You then sit up until your knuckles pass the bend in your knee. Your feet can't come off the ground and there's no one holding you feet down.

Morpheus

its sort of like this

situp

lie on your back, shoulders and head on the ground

bend knees so that you have pulled your heels as close to your ar$e as you can

place hands palm down flat on your thighs

Begin the situp by engaging your abdominal muscles to raise yourself 45 degrees at the hips, lifting your entire back off the floor

as you lift your will also slide your hands up the legs towards the knees, your hands will travel over the knees as you continue to raise your body and will end up cupped over your knees so that your fingers tips are just beyond your knee caps

lower your body in a controlled manner to return to starting position.

That is one full sit up

paulmcgrath

Thanks for all the replies guys.

I hope you understand It may not be as silly a question as it seems.

goldie fish

paulmcgrath wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies guys.

I hope you understand It may not be as silly a question as it seems.

Its actually a very good question. Lots of otherwise fit people have failed the situps because they have been practicing the wrong way all along.

It wasn't me!

goldie fish wrote: »

Its actually a very good question. Lots of otherwise fit people have failed the situps because they have been practicing the wrong way all along.

Yeah, I've been doing a different style daily in training and got down to try the DF ones there and found it very hard. Going to have to work on that.

neilled

http://www.military.ie/careers/fitness-testing-centre/defence-forces-fitness-tests

Max Manus

How many pilots are they taking on this year?

RuinedEye

As far as I have heard its:
Air Corps 5
Army 18
Equitation 2
Navy 14

tomato1988

Would it be useful/recommended to do a prep course for the psychometric tests? If so, can anyone recommend one?

donegaldude

Topper Harley wrote: »

Yes, they're pass/fail. For the push-ups and sit-ups, once you complete the 20 it's marked down as pass. Any more and you're really only wasting energy for the run which you do afterwards.

I would disagree there, surely if a lad bangs out 50 pushups he would get the nod over the lad that only does 20 if it came down to it. I know in the annual tests you can do it differently.

I did them before with the RDF, we needed a grade x to pass for a course. So say it was 40 push ups for a grade x and 50 for a grade y, one would stop after the 40. And save energy for the sit ups/run.

paulmcgrath

donegaldude wrote: »

I would disagree there, surely if a lad bangs out 50 pushups he would get the nod over the lad that only does 20 if it came down to it. I know in the annual tests you can do it differently.

I did them before with the RDF, we needed a grade x to pass for a course. So say it was 40 push ups for a grade x and 50 for a grade y, one would stop after the 40. And save energy for the sit ups/run.

Wether you get the gig or not will most defiantly not come down to your performance in the physical test you can rest assure.

As mentioned previous. This is a pass fail test. And once passed, your performance will not be looked at again.