On Sunday 14 November 2021, The Minister for Defence, Mr Simon Coveney, TD, and Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces Lieutenant General Seán Clancy attended the Commissioning Ceremony of the 5th Army Reserve Potential Officers Course
On Sunday 14 November 2021, The Minister for Defence, Mr Simon Coveney, TD, and Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces Lieutenant General Seán Clancy attended the Commissioning Ceremony of the 5th Army Reserve Potential Officers Course, consisting of 29 new Army Officers in the Defence Forces Training Centre in Kildare.
The 29 officers that have successfully completed the course will now start a new journey in leadership roles in units throughout Óglaigh na hÉireann.
This course was unique as it had a married couple, Ciarán and Laura Curran from Dublin, within it ranks. (images titles 'Curran Familiy' attached).
This course was also a historic milestone in that it is the first one of its kind conducted in over a decade. The course was conducted over a three-year period, with the last eighteen months having been especially testing due to COVID-19 but students and instructors alike rose to the challenge by engaging in new and innovative methods of learning.
In receiving this Presidential Commission, the new officers took an oath of allegiance in which they will swear to be “faithful to Ireland and loyal to the Constitution”.
Photos Links: https://www.flickr.com/photos/dfmagazine/albums/72157720138386423
The 5th Army Reserve Potential Officers Course (5 AR PO Course), commenced training in July 2019, in the Cadet School, Military College, Curragh, Co. Kildare. The course was conducted over a three-year period with students participating in a mixture of on-site, and remote, part-time learning.
County Breakdown:
Dublin | 6 |
Galway | 3 |
Wexford | 1 |
Kildare | 4 |
Mayo | 1 |
Leitrim | 1 |
Clare | 1 |
Louth | 2 |
Wicklow | 2 |
Donegal | 2 |
Limerick | 1 |
Kerry | 1 |
Course Awards:
- THE BEST ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE AWARD: This award is presented to the student who achieved the highest overall marks for the 5 AR PO Course - Winner: Aidan Creed
- THE BEST TACTICAL PERFORMANCE AWARD: This award is presented to the PO who scored highest in tactical exercises and practical leadership. - Winner: Eimear Ní Fhallúin
- THE AWARD FOR BEST REPRESENTATION OF THE DEFENCE FORCES VALUES: This award is presented to the PO who best embodied the values of the Defence Forces throughout the entire course. - Winner: Emmett Coulter
