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

DustyMan · 03-07-2013 9:45pm

thesamster wrote: »

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

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).

DustyMan · 03-07-2013 9:52pm

DaDon wrote: »

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!

Well in my case it took 2 years from my initial application to being invited for a medical. The whole process takes 'on average' a year for most applicants (going by what i've read here). I know for a fact that the medical exam 'result' is good for 6 months so one can defer up to 6 months if they have successfully passed the medical. I know of one reserve applicant here who got a deferral of up to 1 year, after getting a trainee appointment, but I am assuming he had to get a repeat medical (as there is a 6 month 'best before date' on medicals as I already mentioned).
So If I were you I'd apply now. The reserve numbers are filling up fast, so they may restrict people deferring. Six months would be the max deferral now I'd conclude.

Mc Jakester · 09-07-2013 3:23pm

Im back,

It took me over 2 years for Backgrounds, Medical soon after, Training done all from start to finish 2.5/3 years...

Any other questions please ask....

Canyon86 · 09-07-2013 3:37pm

Mc Jakester wrote: »

Im back,

It took me over 2 years for Backgrounds, Medical soon after, Training done all from start to finish 2.5/3 years...

Any other questions please ask....

Hi Jakester,

Fairplay to you,well done!!

Serious slog of 3 years..

Are ya glad?

Mc Jakester · 09-07-2013 3:46pm

Canyon86 wrote: »

Hi Jakester,

Fairplay to you,well done!!

Serious slog of 3 years..

Are ya glad?

Doing it well over two years now, Its worth the wait...Dont be put off!!
By anyone, If your proactive person - You will do well within the job...

Canyon86 · 09-07-2013 4:00pm

Mc Jakester wrote: »

Doing it well over two years now, Its worth the wait...Dont be put off!!
By anyone, If your proactive person - You will do well within the job...

Cool.

Glad to hear!!!

Im at the stage of waiting for a medical at the moment!!

How often do you work? Do you get a variety of duties?

Mc Jakester · 09-07-2013 4:19pm

Canyon86 wrote: »

Cool.

Glad to hear!!!

Im at the stage of waiting for a medical at the moment!!

How often do you work? Do you get a variety of duties?

Did your backgrounds come through?

*Working some weekends when my unit is on. average 208-300hrs a year. full 10hr shifts..(its was 8hrs) but thats your choice 4-5hrs will do..some people dont complete all the hours required and thats ok too.

*Duties can range from, depending on location of station, alot of check points day or night, matches, house searches, car detail or foot patrol, station duty if your lucky...

If you have a smart phone you can download a App called St.Raphaels or this link its the Garda credit union. This will show unit rosters etc..

http://www.straphaelscu.ie/

OR

http://www.gra.cc/

Canyon86 · 09-07-2013 4:57pm

Mc Jakester wrote: »

Did your backgrounds come through?

*Working some weekends when my unit is on. average 208-300hrs a year. full 10hr shifts..(its was 8hrs) but thats your choice 4-5hrs will do..some people dont complete all the hours required and thats ok too.

*Duties can range from, depending on location of station, alot of check points day or night, matches, house searches, car detail or foot patrol, station duty if your lucky...

If you have a smart phone you can download a App called St.Raphaels or this link its the Garda credit union. This will show unit rosters etc..

http://www.straphaelscu.ie/

OR

http://www.gra.cc/

I m waiting on my backgrounds.. should be no prob

Very good!!

You get a nice mix so!!

Are you stationed far from your homeplace? Have you made much friends and that?>

Mc Jakester · 09-07-2013 7:28pm

Canyon86 wrote: »

I m waiting on my backgrounds.. should be no prob
Very good!!

You get a nice mix so!!

Are you stationed far from your homeplace? Have you made much friends and that?>

As you can see backgrounds take time, until that's done, you won't be called up for a medical... Drat...!

When you get your date to go to Templemore, on that first day you will be asked for 2 choices in stations.. Not your local one.. But If your in the sticks that may change!

Friends: your only friend is yourself! Like any work place, you get the good ones and the odd ones...lol.

They have internal games against each units.. Units now range from A, B, C, D, and the new one is Unit E..Football, Gaa, golf, fishing days out... Things like that.. If your good at any, jump right inn through the units ring of steel bond...

Again once your backgrounds are done, it flys inn, accommodation given during time at Templemore and parking.

on the day of Graduation, they tell you that you can only bring 2 persons from your family..
That never happens, unless you bring a van full...

jamesr123 · 09-07-2013 8:37pm

Mc Jakester wrote: »

As you can see backgrounds take time, until that's done, you won't be called up for a medical... Drat...!

When you get your date to go to Templemore, on that first day you will be asked for 2 choices in stations.. Not your local one.. But If your in the sticks that may change!

Friends: your only friend is yourself! Like any work place, you get the good ones and the odd ones...lol.

They have internal games against each units.. Units now range from A, B, C, D, and the new one is Unit E..Football, Gaa, golf, fishing days out... Things like that.. If your good at any, jump right inn through the units ring of steel bond...

Again once your backgrounds are done, it flys inn, accommodation given during time at Templemore and parking.

on the day of Graduation, they tell you that you can only bring 2 persons from your family..
That never happens, unless you bring a van full...

Can I ask if you were working, college or both when you applied? and did u do much voluntary work?

Mc Jakester · 09-07-2013 9:47pm

jamesr123 wrote: »

Can I ask if you were working, college or both when you applied? and did u do much voluntary work?

How's things,

Well I worked,

Hours done...you see our study plan was different to the one they have in place now..

From what I can remember I think it was over 8 weeks/two nights a week...

Other training ie: handcuff and baton, pepper spray, first aid AED, all different times and places...

This all added into your first year hours, second year was hard, This third year is more difficult due to new style roster hours... and a lot of rest times for my unit are over the weekends which I like to work.. The old roster system better suited me at weekends..
So at the moment I'm behind on shifts compared to year one/two...

Plus you have to have a life too....
But still its great to help out the community your patrolling.
You feel great at the end of each shift... Putting aside who you might be teamed up with..
Once your not a Jack the Lad, but still get stuck inn, the people on the street can smell fear... Their like sharks with legs...

RUNNER 1 · 09-07-2013 11:07pm

Does any1 know if you have to have a certain amount of voluntary hours done before your interview?

Canyon86 · 09-07-2013 11:28pm

RUNNER 1 wrote: »

Does any1 know if you have to have a certain amount of voluntary hours done before your interview?

Hi Runner,

No there is no official rule on this.. although it does help to have some experience..

hope that helps..

they love community involvement so try and come up examples if you can eg sports and youth clubs etc

Canyon86 · 09-07-2013 11:33pm

Mc Jakester wrote: »

As you can see backgrounds take time, until that's done, you won't be called up for a medical... Drat...!

When you get your date to go to Templemore, on that first day you will be asked for 2 choices in stations.. Not your local one.. But If your in the sticks that may change!

Friends: your only friend is yourself! Like any work place, you get the good ones and the odd ones...lol.

They have internal games against each units.. Units now range from A, B, C, D, and the new one is Unit E..Football, Gaa, golf, fishing days out... Things like that.. If your good at any, jump right inn through the units ring of steel bond...

Again once your backgrounds are done, it flys inn, accommodation given during time at Templemore and parking.

on the day of Graduation, they tell you that you can only bring 2 persons from your family..
That never happens, unless you bring a van full...

Thanks for your reply!

very useful!!

I m looking forward to the opportunity eventhough its a long process!!

How are you recieved in general by management? they glad of the extra pair of hands or what?

I ve played soccer and gaa at representative level so Id be well up for the sporting aspect

mark227 · 10-07-2013 1:35am

Hi,

Anyone else going down for phase 1 in September?

Mc Jakester · 10-07-2013 12:39pm

Canyon86 wrote: »

Thanks for your reply!

very useful!!

I m looking forward to the opportunity eventhough its a long process!!

How are you recieved in general by management? they glad of the extra pair of hands or what?

I ve played soccer and gaa at representative level so Id be well up for the sporting aspect

With regards to management :
It has got better as this program went on.. The young lads within the job are still immature... They still can't get around the whole idea...

There's people that do voluntary at sea ie: lifeboat. I'd like my feet on the ground thanks...

There is talk now about stun gun training coming soon.. The force here are 10years behind the UK... Always the case.. Sure the ANPR cameras on some of the cars are worth more then the car!

But still a great bunch of guys, If you need help they will back you up, and same goes to them... It takes time to bond 1/2/3 years..

Canyon86 · 10-07-2013 2:27pm

Mc Jakester wrote: »

With regards to management :
It has got better as this program went on.. The young lads within the job are still immature... They still can't get around the whole idea...

There's people that do voluntary at sea ie: lifeboat. I'd like my feet on the ground thanks...

There is talk now about stun gun training coming soon.. The force here are 10years behind the UK... Always the case.. Sure the ANPR cameras on some of the cars are worth more then the car!

But still a great bunch of guys, If you need help they will back you up, and same goes to them... It takes time to bond 1/2/3 years..

Cool,
Sounds very worthwhile..

Have you been involved in anything very dangerous or daring? without giving too much details away online I would be interested to hear your experiences

Mc Jakester · 10-07-2013 5:33pm

Canyon86 wrote: »

Cool,
Sounds very worthwhile..

Have you been involved in anything very dangerous or daring? without giving too much details away online I would be interested to hear your experiences

Your right about saying to much...
Going on any call can be soo different from the next call out..
Here is a tip... If and when you get inn and go on a call out... Think before you get to your destination of call.. Hazards that maybe ahead, will you get to home safe, always know your surroundings and a way out...
Once again can't go into any details, but you meet all walks of life...
Revert back to Training and you wont go wrong...

That a side, The First aid course comes inn handy on the streets..

11-07-2013 11:34am

Hey there,

I went for my full medical there in June and the Doctor said I passed with a clean bill of health.

How long roughly til training does anyone know? I know it doesn't mean that you will get accepted but if it were the case then roughly how long?

Thanks !

Tyron Jara · 11-07-2013 12:25pm

Kthulu91 wrote: »

Hey there,

I went for my full medical there in June and the Doctor said I passed with a clean bill of health.

How long roughly til training does anyone know? I know it doesn't mean that you will get accepted but if it were the case then roughly how long?

Thanks !

I say youll know int he next month or two:) Not long now but dont take my word for it:P

11-07-2013 12:29pm

Tyron Jara wrote: »

I say youll know int he next month or two:) Not long now but dont take my word for it:P

Grand job! Are you the GR yourself?

Tyron Jara · 11-07-2013 1:02pm

Kthulu91 wrote: »

Grand job! Are you the GR yourself?

Yes for nearly two years now. I had my medical in July 2011 and was in in October 2011 for training. Maybe a 2 to 3 month wait but your nearly there. Congratulations on passing the medical

11-07-2013 1:05pm

Tyron Jara wrote: »

Yes for nearly two years now. I had my medical in July 2011 and was in in October 2011 for training. Maybe a 2 to 3 month wait but your nearly there. Congratulations on passing the medical

Ah deadly, congrats on becoming a GR

Yeh I heard that it would be October as well , wasn't sure though. How long is the training anyway ?

DustyMan · 11-07-2013 3:40pm

Mc Jakester wrote: »

Your right about saying to much...
Going on any call can be soo different from the next call out..
Here is a tip... If and when you get inn and go on a call out... Think before you get to your destination of call.. Hazards that maybe ahead, will you get to home safe, always know your surroundings and a way out...
Once again can't go into any details, but you meet all walks of life...
Revert back to Training and you wont go wrong...

That a side, The First aid course comes inn handy on the streets..

Was there any physical training i.e running/physical conditioning et cetera during the GR training in Templemore?

DustyMan · 11-07-2013 7:14pm

Training dates for 2013 :

Class 2 - 14th March 2013
Class 3 - 6th June 2013
Class 4 - 5th September 2013
Class 5 - 17th October 2013

Mc Jakester · 11-07-2013 7:24pm

DustyMan wrote: »

Was there any physical training i.e running/physical conditioning et cetera during the GR training in Templemore?

Physical training yes.. If you got things wrong push ups are on the menu, it was for our group..
Running, self defence, baton training and handcuffing... Pints in Polly's..
The night before, we all trained that evening for 3 hrs running through stuff and surporting each other...
Next day went very well!
Bring bottles of water for each day and some...

Oh yeah, be aware of the Red Man!!! PMSL... Can't say no more, some guys cried for there mom...

RUNNER 1 · 11-07-2013 10:36pm

I seen on one of the other threads that a lad was turned down because he hadnt enough community or voluntary work done , Im only 20 and not long out of school i help out when i can such as our annual sports day and iv started workin 6-8 hours a week in my local towns chairty shop , is that enough or would i have to be in like the RDF or CD

Mc Jakester · 11-07-2013 11:06pm

RUNNER 1 wrote: »

I seen on one of the other threads that a lad was turned down because he hadnt enough community or voluntary work done , Im only 20 and not long out of school i help out when i can such as our annual sports day and iv started workin 6-8 hours a week in my local towns chairty shop , is that enough or would i have to be in like the RDF or CD

You never find out why your turned down.
It's a lot more then how many hours you do volunteering... There's more behind that one!! That's for sure... If your a team player that goes more your way..

carzony · 11-07-2013 11:14pm

Mc Jakester wrote: »

You never find out why your turned down.

Really? I never knew that. Seems very unfair..

12-07-2013 12:49pm

As soon as I told them I worked within the community and had a lot of team projects in college with good outcomes they were glad to hear it, so I defintely agree that being a team player is an essential trait if you're looking to go into the GR.
not to mention you need a thick skin :O

aido112 · 16-07-2013 12:39pm

Lads,

If i apply for the GR thus year and Im sussessful would it be realistic to think id be in training by the end of the year?

TylerIE · 16-07-2013 12:41pm

aido112 wrote: »

Lads,

If i apply for the GR thus year and Im sussessful would it be realistic to think id be in training by the end of the year?

Absolutely not realistic. Perhaps by end of next year.

Mc Jakester · 16-07-2013 1:04pm

TylerIE wrote: »

Absolutely not realistic. Perhaps by end of next year.

I concur... If applying for the GR.
But if and when full time comes around, the whole system if much much faster - backgrounds etc very very fast.

CiaranC147 · 24-07-2013 2:44pm

Hi Im new to this but i was just wondering if anyone knows what the protocol is when it comes to getting time off college to attend the Garda Reserve training sessions for the two weeks.

24-07-2013 2:48pm

CiaranC147 wrote: »

Hi Im new to this but i was just wondering if anyone knows what the protocol is when it comes to getting time off college to attend the Garda Reserve training sessions for the two weeks.

you'll just have to disapear for a few days, weeks or so from what I hear

let them know of course !

TylerIE · 24-07-2013 3:25pm

CiaranC147 wrote: »

Hi Im new to this but i was just wondering if anyone knows what the protocol is when it comes to getting time off college to attend the Garda Reserve training sessions for the two weeks.

You'd just have to disappear for the two weeks... As such I'd try talk to them in the GR office and find out when training sessions are likely to take place and plan it to match same. Most colleges will have exam preparation and continuous assessments due in December, exams January and May plus September repeats. So that kinda only leaves you with October/November or Feb/March during the college year unless you wanted to put yourself under undue pressure!

24-07-2013 3:28pm

TylerIE wrote: »

You'd just have to disappear for the two weeks... As such I'd try talk to them in the GR office and find out when training sessions are likely to take place and plan it to match same. Most colleges will have exam preparation and continuous assessments due in December, exams January and May plus September repeats. So that kinda only leaves you with October/November or Feb/March during the college year unless you wanted to put yourself under undue pressure!

does it it take two weeks? I'm pretty sure I'm doing the September class.

TylerIE · 24-07-2013 3:30pm

Kthulu91 wrote: »

does it it take two weeks? I'm pretty sure I'm doing the September class.

I think the new programme is two weeks?

24-07-2013 3:36pm

TylerIE wrote: »

I think the new programme is two weeks?

glad to hear it

Can't wait

RUNNER 1 · 24-07-2013 9:31pm

Hey iv my interview in september 2013, (IF) i get in when would i start training ? April - may 2014 ?

Tyron Jara · 24-07-2013 9:43pm

CiaranC147 wrote: »

Hi Im new to this but i was just wondering if anyone knows what the protocol is when it comes to getting time off college to attend the Garda Reserve training sessions for the two weeks.

email the GR office for a letter stating your attendance there. thats what I did

DustyMan · 24-07-2013 11:34pm

Got my 'training day' for the Reserves. However had to defer it for now, due to other commitments. I'm leaving Boards.ie in this guise. Wishing everyone interested in a career with AGS the very best.

StepLeader · 01-08-2013 11:28pm

1,488 people have joined the Garda Reserve
since its inception in 2006:

981 are currently operational
224 are in training
278 resignations (including 40 who
have joined the full time service),
2 deaths in service, and
3 member's services were dispensed
with.

Source AGS. Annual report 2012

Mc Jakester · 02-08-2013 7:31am

StepLeader wrote: »

1,488 people have joined the Garda Reserve
since its inception in 2006:

981 are currently operational
224 are in training
278 resignations (including 40 who
have joined the full time service),
2 deaths in service, and
3 member's services were dispensed
with.

Source AGS. Annual report 2012

I wonder how many applied!! In total to date...

jamesr123 · 02-08-2013 8:51am

StepLeader wrote: »

1,488 people have joined the Garda Reserve
since its inception in 2006:

Seems a very low figure considering the reserve is 7 years old now?

StepLeader · 02-08-2013 10:19am

Mc Jakester wrote: »

I wonder how many applied!! In total to date...

It would be interesting to know that! This is an edited piece from the GRA website, although it is from 2007 none-the-less it does give an indication of figures. Going By the figures below (7,358 applicants in 2006) it would be reasonable to speculate that around 30,000 + could have applied since that time? But that is merely speculation on my part.

'One in a Hundred

Yvonne Moran
Irish Daily Mail Saturday, April 7, 2007

One in a hundred Embarrassment as astonishingly low pass rate for controversial Garda Reserve force is revealed

FEWER than one in 100 people who applied to join the controversial Garda Reserve last year were accepted into the part- time force. Just 73 of the 7,358 applicants for Garda Reserve jobs were successful, according to the annual report of the Com- mission for Public Service Appointments.

However, if recruitment continues at the current rate, it will be seven years before the Minister's target of 1,500 reservists is met - a goal he had intended to be reached no later than this summer. Reservists, who can be aged up to 60, have the powers of arrest for road traffic, public order, and theft and fraud offences.

Applicants who tried for the regular Garda Síochána had a greater chance of succeeding than those who had applied to be reservists. A total 1,120 people were accepted as trainee Gardaí out of 9,100 applications last year.'

StepLeader · 02-08-2013 10:38am

Actually I found out that 1,700 applied to join the GR in 2009.

http://www.herald.ie/news/recession-drives-1700-to-apply-for-garda-reserves-27947210.html

So again speculating, it's possible that (to give ball park figures) there may be around 1,500 - 2,000 applying each year.

carzony · 02-08-2013 10:45am

Why is there such a low pass rate? process seems very straight forward.

StepLeader · 02-08-2013 11:34am

carzony wrote: »

Why is there such a low pass rate? process seems very straight forward.

Hard to say but some applicants actually don't pass the written assessment (i read somewhere that 1 in 3 don't but I find that hard to believe). Some may apply who may not met the requirements and may not get , for e.g a educational exemption i.e again, for e.g, not having Irish from their Leaving Cert. Probably some don't get through the BR checks, through no fault of their own, and also some fail the Medical. Probably some people who apply later withdraw their application for whatever reason.

Canyon86 · 02-08-2013 11:50am

StepLeader wrote: »

Hard to say but some applicants actually don't pass the written assessment (i read somewhere that 1 in 3 don't but I find that hard to believe). Some may apply who may not met the requirements and may not get , for e.g a educational exemption i.e again, for e.g, not having Irish from their Leaving Cert. Probably some don't get through the BR checks, through no fault of their own, and also some fail the Medical. Probably some people who apply later withdraw their application for whatever reason.

Id say it is even here,

On the day I went for it i heard that 1 in 10 get in

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

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