Garda Reserve Force - (See Moderator note in first post #1)

kenny343 · 12-05-2013 3:38pm

I have been waiting most all my life, to join AGS, I don't think i'll mind as much!

Sgt. Bilko 09 · 12-05-2013 7:14pm

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/reservists-hit-out-at-snub-to-one-of-their-own-29259837.html

kenny343 · 12-05-2013 8:02pm

it would be good to see reservists getting it. I heard a lot of reserve members are leaving, I would give any thing to be a reserve.

Tyron Jara · 12-05-2013 11:22pm

kenny343 wrote: »

it would be good to see reservists getting it. I heard a lot of reserve members are leaving, I would give any thing to be a reserve.

Im pretty sure a reserve has gotten it before?? Currently looking for the information to back up this if anyone can tell me different?

Raider190 · 12-05-2013 11:41pm

Sgt. Bilko 09 wrote: »

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/reservists-hit-out-at-snub-to-one-of-their-own-29259837.html

Cant understand why this GR was not considered for an award if he fully assisted in the arrest. Not that we do it for awards but given the danger level in this incident he should have been included

DustyMan · 13-05-2013 10:22pm

Sgt. Bilko 09 wrote: »

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/reservists-hit-out-at-snub-to-one-of-their-own-29259837.html

I have to say that being a GR applicant myself this is a very discouraging story and i'm really starting to wonder if it's really worth continuing with my application at all.

Tyron Jara · 13-05-2013 11:09pm

DustyMan wrote: »

I have to say that being a GR applicant myself this is a very discouraging story and i'm really starting to wonder if it's really worth continuing with my application at all.

Don't believe everything you read in the papers. Im sure theres more to this story. As far as im aware a reserve has received a medal before so I don't think this has anything to do with rank.

DustyMan · 13-05-2013 11:43pm

Yes indeed. Hope your right.

Tyron Jara · 13-05-2013 11:44pm

DustyMan wrote: »

I don't believe everything I read in the papers that's for sure and yes indeed a GR was nominated for a Scott medal before I believe (in 2010?). I don't know whatever came of that nomination? However I do find this story, link above, somewhat discouraging. True indeed there may be more to it and I agree with that. Perhaps I should have expanded my response to the same story;
It's the whole feeling I'm starting to get about the role of a GR and the way it's perceived in the main by the full-time force i.e negatively I'm afraid. There appears a genuine unwillingness, and in a way I can understand that, to accept the GR concept at all. Coupled with the limited powers, and lets be frank the main reason it, the GR, was set up was to cut costs i.e recruitment costs/wages/overtime. My own application is very frustrating, my application form lay in the local station for 6 months, only an inquiry from me meant it was then sent on to HQ. I may have been wrong but I felt my application wasn't viewed as important to someone. It's going on nearly 2 years now and I come from a VERY small family with NO convictions i.e the BR check form) I've feel I've good qualifications and life experience too. I think the process for applying to the CIA would be quicker!
It seems also many reservists are quitting in frustration. I'm really strongly thinking of withdrawing my application as honestly my whole initial excitement about the whole thing has slowly but surely being eroded. Don't like being negative about it all but this is really how I feel about it now.

Im sure the reserve nominated is the same one in the papers. I think another got a medal for staring down a gunman and it turned out to be an imitation firearm.

Well from my own experience its been very frustrating. Took me two years to start training but i took it with both hands as its the closest I could get to being a garda in the current climate. Before that I might add I knew nobody in AGS besides my old next door neighbor who i hadn't seen in 10 years. Now I know every garda in my station and there all very friendly I get on great with them as do the other reserves I work with. Ive worked in two other stations for shifts and the full timers have been great.

I have met one or two who said it out to me they dont like the whole idea of the reserve but I get on well with them. Id prefer honesty from them. Its the setup they do not like and the concept not you personally although im sure theres a few who will hold a grudge against the reserve. Ive just been lucky so far to have avoided them. Don't knock it till you try it yourself. Ive had ups and downs as a reserve but its the best thing ive ever done imo.

carzony · 13-05-2013 11:44pm

Tyron Jara wrote: »

Don't believe everything you read in the papers. Im sure theres more to this story. As far as im aware a reserve has received a medal before so I don't think this has anything to do with rank.

Still from what I have read through a few different posts on here there are a lot of reserves leaving. There leavin for a reason.

TylerIE · 13-05-2013 11:49pm

Tyron Jara wrote: »

Don't believe everything you read in the papers. Im sure theres more to this story. As far as im aware a reserve has received a medal before so I don't think this has anything to do with rank.

But very few GRs would be surprised to hear one was ignored/forgotten in the awards process

TylerIE · 13-05-2013 11:52pm

carzony wrote: »

Still from what I have read through a few different posts on here there are a lot of reserves leaving. There leavin for a reason.

The actual number leaving isn't as high as its made out to be, although its surprising its not way higher.

Plenty aren't showing up regularly, so often appear to have left. However the minister said only about a week ago that there are 1,100 reserves.

King Ludvig · 14-05-2013 10:45am

carzony wrote: »

Still from what I have read through a few different posts on here there are a lot of reserves leaving. There leavin for a reason.

Dropout rate is 12.5% based on the figures from the 2011 Annual Report (excluding thoses who resigned in order to become full time members).

Not a very high rate at all when you consider the reasons for resignation will include anything from disillusionment to emigration.

King Ludvig · 14-05-2013 10:51am

Duplicate - mods please delete.

DustyMan · 25-05-2013 3:07pm

Got called for the GR medical exam yesterday. Things are looking up!!

Pappa Charlie · 26-05-2013 2:00am

King Ludvig wrote: »

Dropout rate is 12.5% based on the figures from the 2011 Annual Report (excluding thoses who resigned in order to become full time members).

Not a very high rate at all when you consider the reasons for resignation will include anything from disillusionment to emigration.

Can't imagine too many dropped out to become full time in 2011

RUNNER 1 · 23-06-2013 2:00pm

Hey I applied to the GR 4 months ago does anyone how much longer I could be waiting?

Tyron Jara · 23-06-2013 5:07pm

RUNNER 1 wrote: »

Hey I applied to the GR 4 months ago does anyone how much longer I could be waiting?

if you havent got an interview yet then maybe another two months. Its a long process for applicant to beginning training.

Canyon86 · 23-06-2013 6:23pm

Currently waiting for a medical..

I m expecting an overall wait of two years at least to get into reserve training itself

DustyMan · 23-06-2013 9:37pm

RUNNER 1 wrote: »

Hey I applied to the GR 4 months ago does anyone how much longer I could be waiting?

Anything from 6 months to 30 months going by the posta here. In my case it's been 2 years for me from initial application. I have the medical next week. But my BR check would have taken longer than most as I lived overseas for a while and I've got a couple of relations living overseas too.
I would say it's a min. of 6-9 months if there are no 'complications' so to speak.

mark227 · 24-06-2013 4:34pm

I have medical next week also, any idea when training will be again ?

RUNNER 1 · 24-06-2013 5:41pm

Mark227 quick question but how long has it taken you to get as far as your medical?

Tyron Jara · 24-06-2013 7:20pm

RUNNER 1 wrote: »

Mark227 quick question but how long has it taken you to get as far as your medical?

Runner it took me from January 2010 to October 2011 to even begin phase 1 of training in Templemoore. However the biggest wait for me was the BR checks.

mark227 · 24-06-2013 10:44pm

Runner,

I applied in September 2012 and was notified about medical last week, so not too long

DustyMan · 24-06-2013 10:52pm

mark227 wrote: »

I have medical next week also, any idea when training will be again ?

I'll be up at HQ on July 4th for the medical. I've no idea when training would be if I pass the medical? I think there are 3 possible 4 intakes a year. I'm open to correction on that...

ForeverYoung90 · 25-06-2013 5:13pm

Hey, I posted my application sept 2012 and have yet to receive any reply back.Is this the usual length of time it takes.

DustyMan · 25-06-2013 5:47pm

ForeverYoung90 wrote: »

Hey, I posted my application sept 2012 and have yet to receive any reply back.Is this the usual length of time it takes.

Is this the initial application? i.,e to Public Jobs? If so phone them and ask them of the status of your application. Advise them too that you would attend at any location in the country, wherever the next is, for the next round of the written test/interview. It worked for me.

RUNNER 1 · 25-06-2013 6:39pm

I tryed emailing 2 or 3 times saying i go for interview anywere they never emailed me back

think il just play the waiting game thanks to everyone that help on this

DustyMan · 25-06-2013 9:25pm

RUNNER 1 wrote: »

I tryed emailing 2 or 3 times saying i go for interview anywere they never emailed me back think il just play the waiting game thanks to everyone that help on this

Phone them, that's what I did. I'd say they are overwhelmed with emails...

RUNNER 1 · 26-06-2013 2:40pm

Who do I ring the GR unit r public jobs? thanks again for all the help on this everyone.

DustyMan · 26-06-2013 4:13pm

RUNNER 1 wrote: »

Who do I ring the GR unit r public jobs? thanks again for all the help on this everyone.

If it's the initial application to Public Jobs, yes, ring them. If your further on in the application BR checks etc ring GR at AGS HQ Dublin, reserve section.

RUNNER 1 · 26-06-2013 6:22pm

Dustyman thanks a mill, got my interview date !! have to travel abit but no harm

DustyMan · 26-06-2013 6:23pm

Very good!!

mark227 · 27-06-2013 1:09am

have spoken to HQ

They said If i pass medical, I will be called for training in September

thesamster · 27-06-2013 5:45pm

Runner how long we're you waiting to be called for the interview

ForeverYoung90 · 27-06-2013 6:07pm

I rang hq myself after applying last september and no call back for interview.They said I was 2 places from the may interview group and will be called for october.
That will be a 13 month gap between initial application and getting called for interview. Then from what I see hear if I get through that I will have a similar wait until the medical.It a very slow process.

RUNNER 1 · 27-06-2013 7:15pm

thesamster wrote: »

Runner how long we're you waiting to be called for the interview

I sent it off in april and have my interview at end september, I have to travel abit ta do it ,but better than waiting around,

Foreveryoung90 id say myself that if u get through it be another 4-5 month wait for medical and maybe another 2-3 for training after that 7-8 month gap at most id say .

thesamster · 27-06-2013 9:50pm

Can anyone tell me if it is possible after submitting your application to offer to undertake your interview in any other region if it means you can then get an interview sooner?

msg11 · 27-06-2013 10:45pm

thesamster wrote: »

Can anyone tell me if it is possible after submitting your application to offer to undertake your interview in any other region if it means you can then get an interview sooner?

Maybe give them a ring on that one, couldn't see why it would be a problem.

thesamster · 27-06-2013 11:21pm

Thanks for that might call tomorrow and see what happens

DustyMan · 28-06-2013 12:07am

thesamster wrote: »

Can anyone tell me if it is possible after submitting your application to offer to undertake your interview in any other region if it means you can then get an interview sooner?

Yes you can do that. Tell them you'll travel anywhere for the interview. They'll normally slot you into the next round of interviews, wherever that will be. Worked for me but that's nearly 2 years ago now!

thesamster · 28-06-2013 6:28am

Thanks for that will try today . Hope it works waiting a few months now

want2b · 30-06-2013 12:46am

Hi all, I'm just wondering if anyone can tell me if you can pass the medical when you wear glasses?

thesamster · 30-06-2013 4:23pm

I don't know for sure what the medical criteria for eyesight is but I'm sure there are many already in the force wearing glasses

RUNNER 1 · 01-07-2013 1:37am

want2b wrote: »

Hi all, I'm just wondering if anyone can tell me if you can pass the medical when you wear glasses?

I got this on the Garda website hope this answers your Question

Defective Vision (the vision standard required of a Garda Reserve trainee is not less than 6/18, 6/18 correctable to 6/9,6/12, with normal colour vision).

want2b · 01-07-2013 1:43am

Cheers for that, I'm just wondering how I can find out what my eyes are, I guess back for an eye test..

endacl · 01-07-2013 1:51am

want2b wrote: »

I'm just wondering how I can find out what my eyes are

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eye

:P

want2b · 01-07-2013 2:01am

Endacl if you don't have anything helpful to say don't say anything at all..

endacl · 01-07-2013 2:04am

Sorry Guard. Won't happen again.

DaDon · 03-07-2013 9:33pm

Not sure if this is the right thread to ask this but I'm interested in applying to the reserve but I'm back to college in September and studying abroad after Christmas until June.

Should I just wait till next year to go about joining or can I apply now and defer anything I would be missing while away (if I get that far by then!)

Thanks!

Garda Reserve Force - (See Moderator note in first post #1)

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