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Army Recruits

What is an Army recruit

What is an Army Recruit?

An Army Recruit is a person who enlists for General Service in the Defence Forces and on completion of the initial training program is promoted to Private 2*.

Information About Army General Service Recruits

The Defence Forces is looking for people who are looking for a challenging and physically demanding career in the military. Applicants should have:

  • The ability to work in disciplined military environment.
  • The ability to work with others in a team.
  • Work well in a high pressure and physically demanding environment
  • Be willing to serve abroad for extended periods of time.

On qualification recruits take up a position as a three star private in one of the following Service Corps — Infantry, Artillery, Cavalry, Transport or Communications Information Systems.

Qualifications

No formal education qualifications are required to join the Defence Forces as a recruit. However, you must satisfy the Interview Board and the Recruiting Officer that you possess a sufficient standard of education for service in the Defence Forces.

Age Limitations

Applicants must be 18 years of age and under 39 years of age on the date deemed as the closing date for applications.

Induction

Recruit Competitions are held in each Brigade of the Army as required and are the only way to join the Defence Forces to become a Private Soldier. Candidates undergo fitness testing, psychometric testing, an interview and a medical exam. In conjunction with this all candidates will be security vetted by An Garda Síochana. Candidates must also provide two referee`s as part of the security vetting process.  Candidates will be required to pass both the medical examination and security vetting to be considered for induction. The Induction Process will determine if you have the potential to become a Private Soldier in the Army.

Helpful Application Process video's  

Training

The Recruit Training Syllabus is designed to produce a physically fit, disciplined and motivated Two Star Infantry Soldier with basic military skills. Recruit training is foundation military training. It is twelve weeks in duration. It is followed by 3 Star training and at a later stage by Trained Soldier Specialist Training courses.

Recruits may be required to complete their training in any Defence Forces location and following their training, may be posted to any Defence Forces location subject to Defence Forces requirements.

Career Progression

Newly qualified Private Soldiers are encouraged to put themselves forward for further courses in the Army. These courses may enable the soldier to specialise in certain areas of the Army or qualify the soldier for promotion and overseas service.

2024 Benefits of Joining the Defence Forces

Practice your psychometric test

This link will redirect you to outside the Irish Defence Forces website to practice your test.

Army Recruitment 2019

This video demonstrates the type of training an army recruit goes through.

Be more with the Irish Army

This video demonstrates the transition from civilian to soldier and what the Defence Forces can offer.

27th Infantry Battalion Sniper Training

This video demonstrates just some of the skills that a sniper from the 27th Battalion has.

Army General Service Recruitment

This video gives an example of the training that is required by all members of the Defence Forces.

Irish Defence Forces General Service Recruitment

This video gives an example of the training that is required by the Army, Navy & Air Corps.