Naval Service

The Naval Service (NS) is a component of the Irish Defence Forces of which the President of Ireland is the Commander and Chief. The NS is commanded by Flag Officer Commanding the Naval Service (FOCNS) who is based in Naval HQ at the Naval Base, Haulbowline in Cork Harbour. 

The NS currently operates eight modern ships, as outlined below. The prefix L.É. stands for Long Éireannach.

• L.É. Niamh
• L.É. Róisín
• L.É. Samuel Beckett
• L.É. James Joyce
• L.É WB Yeats
• L.É George Bernard Shaw
• L.É. Aoibhinn
• L.É. Gobnait. The prefix L.É. stands for Long Éireannach

The NS is the principal sea going agency of the state and is charged with Maritme Defence, Fishery protection, Contraband Interdiction Duties, Search and Rescue (SAR) and enforcing Irish and EU laws/ legislation with the Irish Economic Zone. This zones currently extends to 132,000 square miles (342,000 square km). This area is approximately 5 times the size of Ireland, and amounts to approximately 16% of all EU waters.

The NMCI is a new world-class marine training centre. It is a joint venture between Munster Technological University and the Naval Service. The college contains some of the most up to date marine training facilities such as bridge simulators, engine room simulators, firefighting facilities, sea survival pools etc.

Naval Service Officers complete a degree in marine engineering, nautical science or electrical engineering. There are also a number of short professional courses that NS personnel complete in the NMCI. These include Firefighting and Damage Control Course, Personal Survival Techniques Course, small boat handling training courses etc. For more information on the NMCI visit www.nmci.ie

Overseas Service is deemed mandatory for all personnel in the Defence Forces, except Naval Service personnel who are required to deploy to sea. Naval Service personnel may be required to deploy overseas based on operational requirements.

Overseas:

In 1958 the Defence Forces made its first contribution to peacekeeping when they deployed with the United Nations. Since then the Defence Forces has held a proud tradition of deployment overseas in support of countries in turmoil.

An Overseas deployment is the culmination of rigorous training and a real opportunity to, not only put your skills to the test, but also to hone them and develop as both a person and a professional. It is an opportunity to gain an appreciation for the harsh realities of life for the local population and to gain a sense of fulfilment when your work helps them.

For more information about overseas service, please see the link below:

https://military.ie/en/overseas-deployments/about-overseas-deployments/

Maritime Operations:

Likewise, deployment to sea on a Naval Ship, is the culmination of your training and is an opportunity to put you skills to the test conducting Maritime Defence and Security Operations in challenging Atlantic conditions. You will learn from your colleagues, develop as a mariner and make friends for life.

For more information about Naval Operations, please see the link below:

https://military.ie/en/who-we-are/naval-service/roles-of-the-naval-service/

No. You are not required to be able to swim in order to join the Naval Service. We will put you through a Basic Swimming Course, and a Sea Survival Course in order to improve your confidence in the water and in using the various survival equipment in use in the Naval Service.

The Naval Diving Section is recognised throughout all the Emergency Services of the State as a highly efficient and professional component of the Naval Service. It is similarly recognised as having one of the most rigorous training courses in the Defence Forces and the Country as a whole. Their work brings them into contact with Emergency Services and the local populace throughout the Country where they are called uponfor Search & Rescue Operations or to make safe and dispose of suspicious devices around the Coastline.

This career path is not for the faint hearted and is open to all selected personnel who meet the rigorous medical, physical and military requirements for entry to the Diving Course. Once you have completed Recruit Training and the next stage of professional Branch Training you can apply to undertake the Diving Course. Upon successful completion of the course you may be posted to the Naval Service Diving Section (NSDS) where you will work with a team of professional Navy Divers.

On completion of both Recruit Training and the Ordinary to Able Rate Course you will be promoted to Able Rate. You will complete specialist maritime training and you may then, be posted to a ship for up to two years. Ships generally deploy in four week patrols. On completion of a patrol, the ship will return back to the Naval Base for a further four weeks. An initial 10 day privilege leave period is extended to ships staff during this time for R&R (Rest and Recreation) purposes.

Career progression is available to personnel within their own areas of expertise through promotion paths, on completion of training and by deploying as a member of a ships company.

There is also the option for personnel to specialise in an apprenticeship or trade with a fully funded and HETAC accredited educational qualification.

Additionally, potential applicants already in possession of a required trade may progress their career by applying for Direct Entry competitions.

Recruit training will initially be conducted in the Joint Induction Training Centre (JITC) in Gormanston, Co Meath, prior to returning to the Naval Base in Haulbowline, Ringaskiddy, Co.Cork. Branch training and specialisation training will continue in Cork between Haulbowline Naval Base and the National Maritime College of Ireland. 

Cadet training commences with a two week introduction to the maritime aspect of your training at Haulbowline, Naval Base, Cork (mid to late Sep annually). You will then complete basic military training (2-3 months) in the Defence Forces Training Centre in the Curragh Camp, Kildare. This basic military training is conducted with Cadets from both the Army and Air Corps. This is followed by a return to the Naval Base where you will live with your Naval Cadet colleagues for the remainder of Cadet training. During this time, there will, of course, be times when you will deploy on ships for training - including navigation, seamanship, engineering etc.