I joined the Defence Forces (DF) in 1998 as part of the 75th Cadet Class. I was commissioned in 2000 and was posted to A Company, 6th Infantry Battalion in Cavan. I was fortunate that upon
commissioning I got the opportunity to train two recruit platoons in my first year. One in Cavan and then one in Mullingar. I was also fortunate to have served in Connolly Barracks
in Longford with the 4th Cavalry Squadron in my first year as an officer – a unit my father served in many moons ago as a Trooper!
Upon completion of my first year as an officer, I attended university in Galway and completed a year of study in Spain on ERASMUS. Also, during my first few years I served in the 6th
Infantry Battalion in either Cavan or Athlone. I also served in the 4th Logistical Support Battalion and later in my career in Donegal with the 28th Infantry Battalion in Finner Camp.
My final posting in the DF was as an Instructor in the UN Training School in the Curragh. I would have to say my time within the DF was very rewarding and enjoyable. If I had to pick, I would say my time in the UN School in the Curragh as my most rewarding as I was dealing with multiple personnel from across the DF and with external partners and stakeholders from outside the forces
in the humanitarian community, Irish Aid and academia.
My overseas service included Liberia, Chad, and Lebanon, which were all very interesting and rewarding. I found Liberia fascinating as it was my first time in Africa. In Chad I did back-to-back trips as I was in the Civil-Military Co-operation (CIMIC) role, and this involved liaison, co-ordination and engagement with humanitarian actors.
