Criteria for Irish Army Commissions

the O Reilly connection

I noticed in Britain and France it's a requirement for an army officer to be a citizen before they're commissioned. As per EU law, those countries are allowed to discriminate when it comes to hiring people for senior posts in the civil service.

What's your opinion on this when it comes to Ireland? Do you think we should follow suit?

I have nothing against foreign nationals being in the army but I think some nationalities could pose a risk especially when in senior posts in the army.

Notmything

You already have to be a citizen or be lawfully allowed remain in the state.

Been a while now but in the 12 years I was in I think I only met one officer who wasn't Irish and they were English, but had lived here since a kid.

Would assume it's slightly different now and vetting etc is doing its job.

the O Reilly connection

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123723417#Comment_123723417

Lawfully allowed to remain doesn't necessarily mean your a citizen though. It can either mean you are an EU citizen or a citizen of the common travel area - which is the point I'm trying to make.

Notmything

Don't believe I said it did, those are the criteria.

Why close off the potential pool of "talent" to only citizens would be my opinion. Let vetting and background checks do their thing.

We let non citizens into the army already, who's to say they might not be a security risk

Jim2007

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123723463#Comment_123723463

The only point you are making is the you have absolutely no idea of the background checks required and are just playing the usual racist BS nonsense.

Larbre34

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123723626#Comment_123723626

I agree. Thinly veiled xenophobia. Very thinly.

If you don't think the security and intelligence screening for potential officers isn't meticulous, you're off your head.

the O Reilly connection

I don't see what's racist about it. Anyone serving on a submarine in the UK has to be a citizen.

blinking

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123728550#Comment_123728550

Yes, but we don't have any submarines.

sparky42

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123728550#Comment_123728550

And that’s relevant how? The U.K. also allows entry into the U.K. forces from Commonwealth countries and from us as well… Given the majority of “non Irish” serving are British (not sure how NI personnel are recorded?) followed by EU citizens what exactly is your concern?

Edit: Also I think some of the restrictions for the SSNs/SSBNs tie back to the sharing agreement with the US, so again not relevant.

Manic Moran

Not just EU. The US has a similar rule in place. Lawful non-citizen residents can enlist in the military (and indeed it's a fast-track to citizenship), however, they cannot hold a security clearance, thus meaning some jobs are not permitted, and even a basic 'Secret' is required for a commission. That's a nationwide rule, not a military one, and as such applies to private contractors working for (or even building equipment for) the government.

the O Reilly connection

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123728662#Comment_123728662

The fact that a non-citizen can come here and receive 50 grand off the bat with no proven loyalty to our state is what my concern is.

Iscreamkone

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123747147#Comment_123747147

How do citizens prove loyalty to the state?

Notmything

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123747147#Comment_123747147

Wait till I tell you what Irish people get off the state without having to prove their loyalty.

Larbre34

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123747147#Comment_123747147

You mean as a salary for a job? A job they must spend months proving they are capable for, before ever receiving a commission to the role?

Grow up.

the O Reilly connection

I know plenty who went for those jobs and were rejected. There is no shortage of candidates here.

Iscreamkone

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123759572#Comment_123759572

It’s easier to get into Medicine than to get into the cadets

sparky42

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123759572#Comment_123759572

So we've gone from "national security risk", to "they get paid for doing their job", to "I know loads that don't get in", wonder what will be next?

While the recruitment process has noted and discussed flaws, all applicants go through it the same, and apart from the Crash and its hangover, the DF have been running recruitment campaigns for all ranks for all services for years at this point, so if you do know "loads" who were rejected, perhaps it might be more worth your while asking why they were?

Larbre34

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123759589#Comment_123759589

Good.

It should be.