Originally Posted by Lord Slimfast of Derry

The RDF should be cut right back, its backbone should be profesional NCOs.


It should take on tasks the PDF do and serve overseas.

Thank feck you aren't the Minister for Defence. Cut back on the RDF and send them overseas? Christ on a bike, have a bit of a lie down!

Originally Posted by Lord Slimfast of Derry

The PDF should be cut down to 5,000 with a more defined role as a military force, as opposed to simply an expensive aid to the civil powers.

What? Are the rifles, machine guns and artillery just for show?

Originally Posted by former wesleyan

It's senior officers are constantly on secondment to other militaries. It's officers lecture in , for example , St Cyr. It's officers are seconded to the UN headquarters and to the European Rapid Reaction Force and as observers in Afghanistan. Because of these and other military interactions the DF's senior officers are fully aware of modern warfare. " Signal " the magazine put out by RACO is available in pdf and will give you a decent review of current thinking.

Its still the most conservative military in western Europe in terms of adapting to change.

Its structure is still 1950s, being geared up for an internal IRA conflict, with troops based in small towns to counter the threat. Its almost like they are expecting Sean South and the boys to rise up again.

Small barracks with no training areas a not a good use of resources.

Its officers may go abroad, but the thinking of senior officers in terms of the armies role has not evolved. Its also top heavy with senior, very expensive staff.

Originally Posted by Munnkeyman

Thank feck you aren't the Minister for Defence. Cut back on the RDF and send them overseas? Christ on a bike, have a bit of a lie down!



What? Are the rifles, machine guns and artillery just for show?

......Why ? The TA and US national Guard serve abroad, with professional NCOs to increase standards, the RDF could do many PDF roles. RDF troops could easily slot into regular PDF units for overseas tours.



What? Are the rifles, machine guns and artillery just for show?[/QUOTE]


......It appears so.

Originally Posted by Lord Slimfast of Derry

The Irish army, due to the previous NI situation is still geared up for an internal civil war.

Its thinking, due to its isolation is deeply conservative to change.

Its senior officers need to understand modern internal conficts are nowadays intelligence controlled.

It needs to find a role in the modern world/modern Ireland.

There is no reason to keep soldiers employed to guard prisons and vans, such jobs could be done by agencies and ex soldiers for half the cost.

There is no need for such a large and ineffective RDF.

There is no need for so many barracks.

There is no need to train recruits in different areas, it should be centralised.

There should be four medium size barracks and small RDF barracks in various towns.

The RDF should be cut right back, its backbone should be profesional NCOs.


It should take on tasks the PDF do and serve overseas.

The PDF should be cut down to 5,000 with a more defined role as a military force, as opposed to simply an expensive aid to the civil powers.

Everything you suggest above would involve (a) cuts in officer numbers or(b) officers having to do new work.
That won't happen, because the officers run the show, and unlike the turkeys, will never vote for christmas.
Privates and NCOs get court martialled for disobeying the orders of their officers. Officers however continue to the high court, and end up, at worst, retiring with full pension and a cash settlement, with a job as non exec director of some brass plate company.

Also, its 30 miles from Mullingar to longford, not 14. And the barracks there is closed since 2009. The troops in Mullingar must move to Athlone, 40 miles away.

Originally Posted by Twin Towers

Savant kinda nails it here:

When I read this piece first I thought it was quite good, even if I don't agree with the points he makes.

However, having looked at more content on that particular site (irishsavant.blogspot), I see that 9/11 conspiracy theories and racism are among the topics.

Therefore, his post/blog is filed under T for Troll

Originally Posted by Dohville

Also, its 30 miles from Mullingar to longford, not 14. And the barracks there is closed since 2009. The troops in Mullingar must move to Athlone, 40 miles away.

So we're talking 50 minute commute. People spend longer on the bus from Lucan.

Originally Posted by Ren84

This will cost the state more than it hopes to save. Penrose is correct to oppose this stupid decision. We already spend far less as a percentage of GDP on our forces than other similar sized economies. We should be maintaining and improving our armed forces, not scaling back.

What exactly do the army actually do except some overeas missions which we are still owed millions for by the UN. Are we not a neutral country or did I miss some war we were involved in.

Originally Posted by Twin Towers

So we're talking 50 minute commute. People spend longer on the bus from Lucan.

Nobody forced them to live in Lucan.

Mullingar Barracks closed today.
I have many fond memories of that place, as well as Kildare Barracks.
The Defence Forces are dying from death by a thousand cuts (no pun intended).
Watch this wonderful YouTube video accompanied by Brian Eno's An Ending - Ascent (how appropriate).
Columb Barracks Requiem - YouTube