Irish Recruitment to British Army doubles

[st333ve]

Life's too short to hand over your life to some fat cigar smoking elitist who will use you as a pawn in his war games, of course you'll get the degrading pat on the back for being a loyal servant - if you come back alive that is.

Take your blood sport promotions back to your own country.

[Cruimh]

They're still running around in medieval cults

Can we leave the Catholic church, the AOH, the Knights, Opus Dei and all the other medieval trappings out of this ?
As pointed out elsewhere your President and Bertie are associated with this cult

Pot, meet kettle.

[Scipio]

Thats the whole point, Iraq went tits up for 4 yrs because the Americans did not follow British counter insurgency doctine but left a vaccum.

As in the magnificent British performance is Basra where they stayed cooped up in their army base and waited for the Americans to come bail them out?

I can see why the U.S. Army refused to follow that innovative line of strategic thinking.

[euryalus]

If a young man from the South of Ireland was interested in a military career he would probably have a look at the IDF website, which displays the following message:

"Like all state organisations, the Defence Forces are required to cut its payroll expenditure in 2009. As a consequence, recruitment will not take place at this time. This matter is being kept under constant review, therefore the careers listed below are for information purposes only. Thank you for your continued interest in the Defence Force.

Under these circumstances, perhaps some of the Keyboard Warriors of Politics.IE could tell us which other army the would-be recruit might consider joining?

[peterc661]

If a young man from the South of Ireland was interested in a military career he would probably have a look at the IDF website, which displays the following message:

"Like all state organisations, the Defence Forces are required to cut its payroll expenditure in 2009. As a consequence, recruitment will not take place at this time. This matter is being kept under constant review, therefore the careers listed below are for information purposes only. Thank you for your continued interest in the Defence Force.

Under these circumstances, perhaps some of the Keyboard Warriors of Politics.IE could tell us which other army the would-be recruit might consider joining?

there is two without the need for a visa, the british atmy or the french foreign legion

[euryalus]

there is two without the need for a visa, the british army or the french foreign legion

Remembering also that the British Army has specific Irish regiments, including the Irish Guards and the Royal Irish Regiment, which actively "seeks to recruit soldiers of Irish origin or background to serve anywhere in the world where UK forces are deployed".

On a footnote, I wonder if the RIR has been initiating something of a recruitment drive in the South? (In which case, it could be argued that this was a purely regimental matter that has nothing to do with the British government).

[The Underdog]

im going to try and get into the royal irish regiment

Assuming you’re a genuine youngfella looking to soldier, and the PDF is not an open option, then hope the following helps :
( I tried to PM with this, but you have the option turned off )

If you’re going to join the BA, your going to join not matter what anyone says, but do your research.

Stay well clear of any unit with a history of poor conduct in NI. In particular that means the NI and Scottish Regiments and the Parachute Regiment. Officially you will be welcomed into the likes of the RIR, but at platoon level you will never be fully accepted behind your back, and that will make for a long service. That still leaves you with dozens of other regiments to choose from. Like it or not, agree with it or not, the Irish public have long memories, and it will make coming back home either on leave or permanently much smoother for you.

Best advice would be to come out with a trade, have a look at RE or REME, you'll do the same infantry training (and see the same action) as an infantry unit, but also gain added training, tech pay, qualifications and experience. You'll come out with a trade, be more respected within in the army, and have a better experience all round. If that doesn’t suit at least think about Logistics corp. as Driver (you'll be trained, qualified and licence to drive everything on the road, as well as infantry training) is also a good number for you time in and out of the army.

You can take or leave this advice, (based on the service of friends and relatives in both the PDF and BA), It’s no odds to me. Do your own research as well.

Try this unofficial BA forum as well : Army Rumour Service > > British Army Rumour Service Home , its has lots of serving BA members past and present. Read all the relevant threads and do you own research before asking questions and you’ll get a better response. It will also be useful for finding out how to prepare for, and what to expect of basic training etc.

Good Luck.

[The Fusilier]

Officially you will be welcomed into the likes of the RIR, but at platoon level you will never be fully accepted behind your back, and that will make for a long service.

Sorry, but that's utter b*ll*cks. If it had been a case of joining the Home Battalions based in Ulster then maybe that might be the case, but those have been long since disbanded. I know lads currently serving in the RIR, and know of other lads going through their recruit training, and they haven't experienced any hassle.

[The Underdog]

What a load of utter b*ll*cks. If it had been a case of joining the Home Battalions based in Ulster then maybe that might be the case, but those have been long since disbanded. I know lads currently serving in the RIR, and know of other lads going through their recruit training, and they haven't experienced any hassle.

Peter - You’re going to hear a lot of this. I won’t be answering them all, if any. Leopards don’t change their spots. I'm satisfied I've given sound advice based on the recent experience of others. Make up your own mind.

[The Fusilier]

Leopards don’t change their spots.

What?