Joining Defence Forces

Personnel typically join the Defence Forces through one of two routes; as a recruit to the enlisted ranks which account for the vast majority of personnel in the Defence Forces, or as a cadet to the officer ranks. Recruits undergo an intensive period of training with their recruit platoon in a designated barracks and at the end of this training, if they are successful, they will be passed out as a Private in the Defence Forces. Cadets complete their military training in the Cadet School in the Curragh Camp and at the end of their training, if successful, they will be commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. Many soldiers and officers retain vivid impressions of their recruit or cadet training as their first introduction to military life.