Joining Irish Army

Kilroyss

I got accepted into the Irish army and am starting on the 30th May. I really want to join but I'm not to sure how the contract works. I think it's 5 years initially, then you have to have so many courses and overseas tours done. I'm currently doing an apprenticeship, which is boring as ****, but I don't want to leave it for the army if I have to leave after 5 years then have no qualifications. Can someone explain how tge contract works exactly, and how hard is it to get courses? Thanks

uck51js9zml2yt

You might be better asking a mod to move you to the military forum.

You do a 5 year term but can buy yourself out in that time. The cost depends on how long you've been in and what courses you've done.

My brother joined at 17 and has done 40 years.
He's been abroad in the last 10_years to Africa, Middle East and Eastern Europe.
Not going away in the previous 30 years was his choice due to family commitments.

Merkin

Thread moved to appropriate forum.

It wasn't me!

Your initial contract will be for twelve years, with five of them spent in the permanent defence forces (full time) and the remaining seven as a reservist. You can buy yourself out at any time in your contract, and you can extend your service in the permanent defence force after five years as well. Courses and overseas trips might be difficult to get, depending on the unit you're in, or you might get lucky. Some people would be overseas six months after joining their unit, others might be waiting years. In terms of qualifications, you won't pick up too many out of the army that will stand to you after you leave, so think about that too. You don't have to leave after five years, certainly, but you would want to have a plan of what you're trying to do with the army as well. If you're young and would like to have a qualification, I'd suggest pursuing that before joining the army, personally.