The Command and Staff School
Located within The Military College, The Command and Staff School is the senior school of the Irish Defence Forces. It supports the professional development of all senior officers of the Defence Forces through the provision of tailored educational courses. These courses focus on training and educating leaders who can apply critical thought processes and rational decision making to problem solving within complex military, economic, informational and diplomatic environments in which they may find themselves deployed. The intention is to enable senior officers to plan and execute operations across the full spectrum of military activities from the tactical to the strategic levels, in both national and international environments.
The Command and Staff School has developed a strategic partnership with the National University of Ireland Maynooth (NUIM), which provides the academic support to the school in the form of a Master of Arts (MA) programme (Level 9) and lecture assistance in associated areas.
Vision Statement
The Command and Staff School pursues academic and professional excellence, thereby enabling senior officers to engage in critical thinking and rational decision making across the full spectrum of complex, hybrid, multi-national and international operations.
School Ethos and Educational Philosophy
The vision of The Command and Staff School can only be achieved if the values, environment, ambience and ethos of the school is conducive to study, learning, reflection and personal development. To uphold and develop this philosophy, the school staff create and maintain a harmonious atmosphere based on the highest professional military standards that appeals to student’s abilities, creativity and imagination. At every stage, students are encouraged to develop their own character and seek self-improvement so as to equip themselves with the knowledge and judgement that will allow them to professionally progress and operate as senior officers.
The Joint Command and Staff Course
The primary activity of The Command and Staff School is the conduct of the Joint Command and Staff Course. In accordance with Defence Forces regulations this course addresses specific requirements for the training and education of Defence Forces senior leadership. Successful completion of this course qualifies officers of all three services to:
- Promote to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel/ Commander (OF4) and beyond.
- Command formations of all components of the Defence Forces.
- Perform the higher staff work involved in handling such formations.
Additionally the successful completion of the course will:
- Equip officers with the skills needed to engage effectively with civil servants, politicians, industry and wider society.
- Prepare students for command and staff appointments, nationally and internationally.
- Develop an understanding of single services, joint, combined and multi-agency operations.
- Enhance knowledge and understanding of higher management of defence and the importance of the civil-military space.
- Through critical insights, develop a comprehensive grasp of strategy, security, communications and defence in political, international and financial contexts, incorporating an enhanced ability to produce high quality research in these areas.
- Establish interoperability with international partners through certified competence in the Comprehensive Operations Planning Directive.
- Develop an understanding of the requirement for continuing personal and professional development in order to provide effective leadership in complex and evolving contemporary operating environments.
The course is conducted over an academic year (normally August to June), in conjunction with NUIM, where students can gain an internationally recognised MA in Leadership, Management and Defence Studies (LMDS). Additionally, students complete internationally recognised modules and undergo validation through training evolutions such as the Combined Joint Exercise (CJEX), which is a multi-national exercise that takes place in multiple locations throughout Europe in order to confirm the ability of students to plan at the strategic level in an international setting.
Other Activities
The Command and Staff School also:
- Produces the Defence Forces Review.
- Provides students for international command and staff courses (staff members are graduates of courses from the United States, United Kingdom and France).
- Assists in producing Defence Forces doctrine.
- Provides staff for various Defence Forces boards including capability development, leadership and validation exercises.
- Conducts visits, seminars and conferences with military and academic partners.
- Conducts Strategic Leadership Courses, which are designed for senior leaders of the Defence Forces to meet the increasing demands they encounter at home and overseas.
- Provides for the participation of international students on the Joint Command and Staff Course
