Advantages/ Disadvantages of Joining The Reserves before Full Time AGS

As a former Garda reserve, now full time member I can happily say that there are no disadvantages to been a competent Garda Reserve.
I spent over a year as a reserve, and I was the first ever reserve on the unit I was assigned. Prior to my arrival to the station there was one other reserve, and this was a Divisional headquarters, not some small rural station.

I had to build up the trust, gain the respect of my unit, and prove to them that whatever stereotype image they had of reserves in their head was not me.
The regular members judged me on my abilities, firstly to protect their back, protect myself, and at the same time do the job in a professional and competent manner. When I proved this they never had any issues.

The more hours I had under my belt the more rope I was given. I was mainly either on the beat or observer in an extra third car. That was usually a proactive patrol and backing up other cars so we never really had to take any calls, unless they were urgent, therefore the driver would never be left with the paperwork of two Gardaí. The driver would love the opportunity to get on mobile patrol, so it was never like he was been sent out with me.

I built up a good relationship with my unit and the station itself. I also assisted specialist units on specific tasks which was a great opportunity and privilege for a reserve to do.
At no point did I feel used or left out while been a reserve. I was invited out to every event that the unit went to, birthdays, barbeques, Christmas parties, or just a general night on the town.

When I finally got the call to start full time the unit organised a Leaving party for me before I left which I feel shows their acceptance to me. To this day they still keep in contact with me.

The advantage of been a reserve prior to joining fulltime showed up hugely while in fulltime training. When we were been front loaded and taught all the laws, which I hadn’t be taught as a reserve, I could relate back to it from my experience on the streets as a reserves. This meant that I was able to learn all the legislation and procedures much quicker and remember it easier, compared to the person who sat either side of me.

They would often just blank out and go what the “What the hell is he on about?” I would go explain to him how, it would be used operationally, and it would give him some understanding of what he was been taught.

If you’re thinking of joining Fulltime then I suggest that you join the reserves first. It will be an invaluable investment in your career as a Garda or even just in your life in general. You don’t have even a slight idea of the work the Gardaí do, looking in from the outside. You have to join to see what happens in the communities and towns around Ireland.

Every new Garda to a station, whether he or she has transferred from another station or just fresh from Templemore is judged on their way they ability to do the job. This is the same for the fulltime members and reserves members. If you can’t do the job then it doesn’t matter whether you’re a reserve or full timer.

The only disadvantage to joining the reserve is not joining, as you lose out. If you can’t join to family commitments then you’re in for a wakeup call when you join fulltime, it’s not really a family friendly job unless you get into a specialised area after 4-5 years. And that’s with fierce competition.

eroo wrote: »

Thanks mbeire for a very informative post. Hope to follow in your footsteps someday!

Glad to be of some sort of assistance eroo. Feel free to ask any question you have.

You should have no problems...

im in it myself at the moment and i definitely think it gives you an eye opener on whether this job is suited for you,the variety of the job and the specialist units have always been my dream aspect of the job and so i dont know if it will help those of us waiting to get in to the full times come interview day but it should surely be used as a litmus test to see whos had an interest in the organisation apart from someone who needs a job desperately and likes the sound of the job security aspect!im new to this so dont be too critical!

If you are lucky enough to be on this famous panel of 160 or so with everything done, then being a Reserve Garda is not an issue.

If you are waiting to start the whole process then being one or at least having applied could be the small difference between your interview making the grade ahead of other applicants.

The interview panel was made up of two people in May '08, not three.

They have the discretion of asking the question about the Reserves. It could be as simple as they deciding that your interview was as good as they wanted and asking extra questions, that they already knew the answer to anyway, was unnecessary.

The Reserve force is different now in lots of small ways compared to when it first started. It will no doubt be different in a lot of ways in 5 or 10 years time. There could be a strong link between the Reserves and recruitment to the full time force by then. Nobody really knows.

It is wrong to dismiss the possible benifits that being a Reserve Garda would bring to the selection and training process for becoming a full time member. Dont knock it until you have tried it.

The way the country is at the moment and for the next 10 years by the looks of things, the Reserves could be as close as many of us in this "waiting room" get to Templemore.

Think cop on is lacking around here at the moment.

No the Reserves does not guarantee you entry into AGS as a Garda.

Yes you do have a major advantage over non Reserves for the simple fact you have experience of the job, it's various roles and AGS members, and this will stand to you when, hopefully, you get in.

But you have experience. Experience can't be taught.

Anyways, not getting into a p1ssing contest.