00-An Cos-FEB-11 (p1-5 EDITORIAL) 26/02/2011 14:27 Page 3

VOLUME 71 Number 10 February 2011

11 16 20

26 28 34 FEATURES 11 Making the Grade By Lt Cdr Brian FitzGerald 14 The Provost Guard By Wesley Bourke 16 Bosnia & Herzegovina: Dayton at a Crossroads? By Comdt Gavin Young 22 5th Generation Warfare By Comdt Gary McKeon REGULARS 6 On Parade 10 World Strategic Picture 18 Def Tech 20 Strategic Review 25 Tac Aide 26 History 28 Sport 31 Gadgets 32 Noticeboard 14 33 Reviews 34 What I do…

AN COSANTÓIR February 2011 3 00-An Cos-FEB-11 (p1-5 EDITORIAL) 26/02/2011 14:27 Page 4

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4 AN COSANTÓIR February 2011 00-An Cos-FEB-11 (p1-5 EDITORIAL) 26/02/2011 14:27 Page 5

An Cosantóir VOLUME 71 editorial Number 1 February 2011

MANAGER: ur lead article for February is about a unique group of soldiers doing a very high profile job, smack in Capt Rory Esler the centre of Dublin City. These Military Policemen and women are part of a joint Garda/Defence [email protected] OForces team who guard both Leinster House and Government Buildings. EDITOR: Following that we have an interesting piece on how the Naval Service is leading the way with regards to Sgt David Nagle the accreditation of military education and training in line with civilian accreditation. [email protected] This month we also feature two articles on overseas (Bosnia and Chad) and we have another which JOURNALIST: looks at the development of 5th Generation Warfare and how this unconventional type of warfare can Wesley Bourke cause havoc on an unknown state or government agency. CONNECT: In Def Tech, we have republished the always popular poster on rank markings, while in sport, we report Cpl Paul O’Neill on CISM marathon running, rugby and basketball. PHOTOGRAPHER: As always, we have our regular features – History, Reviews, Tac Aide, Gadgets and What I Do. We hope Armn Greg Dorney [email protected] you enjoy.

SUBSCRIPTIONS: Cpl Finola Lafferty On Parade Photographic Competition [email protected] An Cosantóir is proud to announce the launch of an new photographic competition in conjunction with one ADVERTISING: of Ireland’s leading retailers, Debenhams. All photographs submitted for publication in our On Parade EU Publishing section will be entered into the draw each month and the best one as decided by the magazine staff will Michael Whelan receive an €80 Debenhams voucher. What we are looking for is that photograph which captures a different Brian Clarke Tel: 01 7071931 side of life in the Defence Forces. Whether its an on-the-ground action shot, a fun shot or a photograph of a Email: [email protected] unit celebration, all will be considered. Naturally, your photograph must be well taken and sent in with the [email protected] appropriate caption and your contact details. So, if you want to be in with a chance to win, get snapping and DESIGNER: submit your photographs to: On Parade Photographic Competition, An Cosantóir, DFHQ, Ceannt Bks, M & J Graphics DFTC, , Co Kildare, or email: [email protected]. For how to take a suitable photograph [email protected] and text, simply follow the guidelines on the bottom of this page. PRINTER: Turner Print Group The fact that an article appears in this magazine does not Sgt David Nagle indicate official approval of the Editor views expressed by the author. © Published by OiC Public Relations Section Clarification 2011 Diaries for the Defence Forces at In the article Here Comes the Girls that featured in our We have some 2011 Diaries still available. To order one, DFHQ, Block 5, Ceannt Bks, January issue, we stated incorrectly that Mrs Susan please ring (045) 445312 or e-mail [email protected] DFTC, Curragh Camp, Kane was deceased. We are delighted to take this Co Kildare, Ireland. Payment can be made by: PayPal, cheque or postal order. opportunity to state that Susan is alive and well, and we Don’t send cash by post. Tel: 045 445312 apologise unreservedly for any distress our error may have caused Susan and her family. Front Cover: Two MPs patrol outside Government Buildings. Photo by: Armn Billy Galligan Writing articles Sending in a photograph and letters When sending photographs in, Naturally, if you are sending in a especially by email, please consider number of digital photographs, Ideally we would like submitted the following: burn them to disc and post in! For more Defence Forces articles and letters in by email photographs, checkout: or on disc. Hardcopy articles •Save as jpeg format Clearly mark envelope www.flickr.com/photos/ • File size: No less that 1.5Mb and no ‘CD with Photographs’. dfmagazine are also accepted. As a general rule, we look bigger than 3Mb (as jpegs) Also submit a short note with for two to three page • Resolution: 300 DPI details like: articles with 600 to 700 words • Dimension: 150x100mm per A4 page. Larger articles (6x4in) minimum • Who took the photograph An Cosantóir are considered, though they • What was the occasion ONLINE may be spread over two issues • Where did it happen To a c c es s pa s t is s ues o f or submitted to the Defence • Who is in the photograph (left to An Cosantóir, log onto: Forces Review with the right, back to front, rank, first and dfmagazine.ie. author’s approval. surnames) All material submitted This month’s username is: should be of a military If sending in photographic prints, avoid february and the password is: related topic. writing on the back of them. february (lower case).

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on parade • on parade • on parade • on parade • on parade • on parade • on parade • on paradad

WhatWhat thethe paperspapers say...say... ■ Irish chief of UN’s Gaza ON PARADE agency leaves to take up new post in US The Irishman who heads UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) operations in Gaza is leaving the position to take up a A worthy cause major new humanitarian role at UN Following a charity football tournament by various units based in Custume Bks, headquarters in New York. John Ging, a € a cheque for 600 was made to the Athlone branch of the Irish Guide Dogs. Pictured at the former officer in the Irish Defence Forces, presentation (l-r) are: Capt Murt Brennan, Cpl Jimmy Nugent, Mr Michael Duffy, Mr Frank Dunning with his dog, Larry, Capt Colin Watters and Col Andy Kilfeather (EO 4 W Bde). has been appointed director of operations Photo by: Sgt Marty Gilligan (HQ 4 W Bde). of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). In his new role, Mr Ging will oversee the mobilisation Sports Star of humanitarian actions in response to Congratulations to Gnr Scott Delaney (4 Fd disasters and emergencies across the Arty Regt), who was recently named the world. The Irish Times, January 18th unit's sportsman for 2010. He is seen here accepting the RSM Mick 'Champ' ■ Our heroes in the skies Perpetual Trophy from Mrs Anne (Maher) Duggen, whose late husband, Sgt Maj Mick These are the hero pilots on call around the Maher (4 Fd Arty Regt) was a renowned clock to fly seriously ill patients to hospitals Defence Forces and Westmeath sports star. for emergency medical treatment. The Also pictured is Lt Col Arthur Armstrong skilled and dedicated pilots of the Air Corps (OC 4 Fd Arty Regt). Photo by: Sgt Maj Noel play a crucial role in saving lives but their O'Callaghan (4 Fd Arty Regt). achievements often go under the radar. Last year, the Air Corps flew 69 emergency Out of Africa ambulance missions involving transplant Go Engineers The Defence Forces has a small contingent of patients, people needing chemotherapy or Pictured at the Mansion House, Dublin for the launch of Engineers Week in February are (l-r): officers and NCOs serving in Uganda with the Ptes Wayne Bradshaw, Philip Gorman, Dublin’s Lord Mayor Gerry Breen and Pte Garry European Union Training Mission Somalia. They specialist treatment available in the UK. McKenzie (All 2 Fd Engr Coy). They were showcasing the myriad of engineering skills that the are part of a EU military cadre, training Somali Irish Daily Mirror, 26th January 16th Corps of Engineering has within its ranks. Photo by: Armn Billy Doyle (105 Sqn). soldiers as potential officers and NCOs. Sgt James Scanlon is seen briefing UN Under ■ Bomb found in drugs Secretary for Peacekeeping, Mr Alain Le Roy search during a recent visit to the mission. Photo by: Comdt MC Carroll (SIO IR CON 2 EUTM Garda have uncovered a pipe bomb in a Somalia). drug search at a house in Co Meath. Officers from Finglas Drugs unit and local New Flag Officer gardai from Navan, Co Meath, discovered Congratulations to Capt (NS) Mark Mellett DSM, who the ‘crude but viable’ device in a shed at in January was promoted to Flag Officer Commanding the back of a house in Windtown Crescent, Naval Service (FOCNS) following the retirement of Navan, yesterday evening. The scene was Frank Lynch in December. Commodore cordoned off and the army explosive Mellett joined the Navy in 1976 and his first command Ordnance Disposal team dealt with the was the LÉ Orla (1992). In 1994, whilst captaining the LÉ Orla, the new FOCNS was awarded the device. Distinguished Service Medal (DSM) in recognition of The Irish Independent, December 15th the role of his ship in the detention of the drug smug- Play Hard gling yacht Brime. He went onto command LÉ Ciara ■ Army can take on 200 In January, our Defence Forces male and female rugby teams (1997), LÉ Eithne (2005) and has also held a broad recruits pitted themselves against their Garda counterparts in the annual range of appointments in the Naval Headquarters and challenge match at the Garda Westmanstown sport grounds. In most recently as Commandant of the , Defence Minister Eamon O’Cuiv has this photo, the Garda defence are trying hard to fend off a army and Associate Head of the National Maritime College approved the recruitment of a further 200 attack. Both teams played out of their skins, though our female of Ireland. Commodore Mellett also served overseas in general service staff to the Army this year. players lost to a skilful Garda team 26-12. Our male team Lebanon and Afghanistan. The new FOCNS holds a According to Army pay scale figures, a The IT Crowd however, in a tough match took home the silverware with a PhD in Oceans Governance from the National private on enlistment will earn a salary of Well done to the this group of computer whiz kids, who in December undertook and passed convincing score 38-29. Fresh from their victory, the male University of Ireland, and has published a € a ECDL course, held in the Computer Training Centre, 4 W BTC, Custume Bks, Athlone. Defence Forces Rugby team are back in training for the number of papers on security and maritime affairs. 12,757 a year. They are standing (l-r): Sgts D Bradley, D O'Keeffe, A Reidy, A Jinks, S Killeen and Pte E representative games against the French Army, Royal Air Force A native of , Commodore Mellett is mar- The Irish Daily Star, January 29th Coakley (instr). Seated (l-r): Sgt K Duke (instr), Pte K McDonnell, Sgt PJ Maloney, Cpl J and Royal Navy over the coming months. Photo by: Eoin Conway ried to Liz and they have four children; Laura, Sean, Masterson, Sgt J Hynes and Cpl R King. Photo by: Sgt Marty Gilligan (HQ 4 W Bde). (An Garda Síochána). Lisa and Patrick. Photo by: AB Davy Jones.

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on parade • on parade • on parade • on parade • on parade • on parade • on parade • on parade Air Corps News Robot Warriors The following photographs were sent in by the photographers from 105 By Wesley Bourke Sqn (Photographic Section), based in , Baldonnel. Though their primary job is maritime photography, they are also tasked During the BT Young Scientist exhibition from January 12th-15th, a motley band of Air Corps ‘techno’ warriors pitted their robotic with numerous VIP and aerial photography details. creations against one another in a ‘battle to the death’ at the national Robots of Destruction championships. Under a circus big top on the grounds of the RDS in Ballsbridge, Dublin, the audience of second-level school children cheered as they watched the robot gladiators in Armn Paddy Reilly's photographs captured the celebrations by air and the caged arena slash and tear each other apart. Now in its eleventh year, the show, apart from the obvious fun aspect, provides an ground crew on the PC-9 Air Corps trainer passing its 10,000 hour in flight. opportunity for young, budding scientists from all over the country to meet the robot builders and see how each robot is ON PARADE created and controlled. Our Air Corps robotic experts, including a number of retired technicians, come from the various workshops in Baldonnel and they utilise all their different design, avionics and welding skills to make a robotic army of widely varying shapes and sizes. 'We try to bring the fun side of engineering to the kids,' Sgt ‘Zulu’ Byrne, the leader of the Air Corps team, told me. 'We show them that with a bit of imagination you can make one of these robots from bits of scrap. The kids can interact with the team, ask questions on robotics and they can play with our little robots, the Rascals.' We watched ‘Zulu’ explain the finer points of robotics to the enthusiastic crowd and after they erupted with laughter when he was chased around the arena by one of the robots, Zulu turned the robot’s water hoses on the kids in revenge. 'Robotics is a Brig Gen Paul Fry (GOC Air science and an engineering field,' explained retired sergeant, and Corps) opens a bottle of now robotics lecturer, Noel Lennon, 'incorporating electronics, champagne on their return to kinematics, dynamics, pneumatics and mechanics. The kids love Casement Aerodrome after it and they learn a lot. For example, the Rascals are all made out the 10,000 hour flight. of recycled materials, which really gets them thinking.' Four PC-9s in formation flight.

The air and ground crews pose for the camera.

Good Luck Sir Sgt Maj John McCormick (No5 Sp Wing) is seen here presenting a bronze statue of Gen Michael Collins to Lt Col Gerard When not taking photographs at work, Armn Paddy Reilly catches O’Sullivan (Stn Comd and OC No 5 Sp Wing) as he leaves the a ferry to the Welsh mountains hoping to spot RAF and US unit to take up his new appointment as the Air Corps Flight fighters conducting low-level flying. During his last visit, Paddy Safety Officer. Lt Col O’Sullivan was held in the highest regard snapped this USAF Boeing F-15E Strike Eagles from the 48th by the officers, NCOs, airmen and women of the wing and Fighter Wing, based at RAF Lakenheath. An Air Corps AW139 helicopter conducts winching drills off the everyone would like to wishes him the very best in his new Irish coast with LÉ Orla. Photo by Cpl Declan Parke (105 Sqn). appointment. Photo by: 105 Sqn.

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Europe strike. He was awarded the European • Russian security services have Union’s Sakharov Prize for Freedom of identified an Islamist from southern Thought, though he was not allowed to Russia that they believe was behind leave Cuba to collect the award. the Moscow airport bombing on • In the aftermath of some of the worst January 24th, which saw 35 people floods and landslides ever experienced killed and left over 100 seriously in Brazil, the country’s military were injured. Russian media have linked this deployed to the devastated Serrana attack to the body of woman who died region, north of Rio de Janeiro, in in Moscow on New Year’s Eve and was January. Over 650 people died and found with the remains of a suicide thousands were left homeless. belt. Also in Russia, the national Hundreds of Brazilian troops, equipped parliament has voted to back the with helicopters, are assisting the civil START nuclear arms disarmament emergency services in rescuing treaty. They unanimously approved the survivors and bringing food, water and deal signed between US and Russian emergency shelters to remote presidents in 2010. The treaty will see communities, some of which were the number of nuclear weapons each completely cut off for over five days. country deploys reduced to 1,550. Asia • In an open letter to the UK’s Daily • In Lahore, Pakistan, in January, police Telegraph newspaper in January, six arrested a US embassy official who is Middle East ex-defence chiefs warned the alleged to have shot a motorcyclist and government to stop its plans to scrap • In Lebanon, Hezbollah-backed Mr pillion passenger he believed were the £4bn fleet of new RAF Nimrod Najib Mikati was named prime about to rob him. Police are early warning aircraft, citing that it minister-designate. At the same time, investigating the claims that the could leave a ‘massive gap’ in the thousands of supporters of the American fired his weapon in self- country’s national security framework. outgoing prime minister, Hariri, defence at the men who were following The government argues that scrapping demonstrated in Tripoli and Beirut. him in his car. The American’s car also the Nimrod scheme will save £2bn over Observers say many Lebanese Sunnis suffered a number of bullet holes. The 10 years. are alarmed by Hezbollah’s growing police retrieved weapons from the political power in the country. Some scene. have even accused the Iranian-backed • The German parliament voted in Americas group of staging a coup after a row over the UN tribunal investigating the January to extend its military mission • US Democratic Congresswoman with ISAF in Afghanistan for one more assassination of Mr Hariri’s father, Gabrielle Giffords (pictured below) Rafik. The US administration, which year, despite public dissent and continues to make progress following growing fatalities. There are some regards Hezbollah as a terrorist group, the gun attack on her which left six has said it is concerned over the new 4,860 German troops currently serving people dead and numerous injured. in the country. The Dutch government appointment and fears it will have a She was attending a political meeting wider implication for the region. also approved its involvement in an in Tucson, Arizona on January 8th Afghan police training programme. when a lone gunman shot her at point • Also in January, the Arabic news blank range in the head. President network al-Jazeera reported that it has Obama called the attack an evidence suggesting that the Africa ‘unspeakable tragedy’. One of the Palestinian authorities were prepared • In January the Tunisian government victims was a nine-year-old girl born to compromise on key issues during issued international arrest warrants on September 11th 2001, the day the peace negotiations with Israel. In for its ousted president Zine Twin Towers were attacked. response to Palestinian leaders’ al-Abidine ben Ali and his family. Congresswoman Giffords served on claims that the leaks have been taken The interim government called on the House Armed Services Science out of context, al-Jazeera said it will countries and Interpol to detain Mr and Technology committees. publish the 1,600 confidential ben Ali, who is in Saudi Arabia. Mr ben documents that cover more than ten Ali is accused of illegally acquiring • In Cuba, dissident Guillermo Farinas years of the secret peace talks with property and assets, and transferring was freed without charge after being Israel. funds out of Tunisia. Meanwhile, detained by Santa Clara police. Mr fighting continued between police and Farinas was with other activists trying • In what appears to be a spreading of anti-government protestors. The police to stop the eviction of a family when he the popular unrest that broke out in used tear gas against protestors after was arrested. Last year, Mr Farinas Tunisia, Egyptian resident Hosni they tried to breach barricades around nearly died following a 134-day hunger Mubarak ordered troops onto the the prime minister’s office in the streets of Cairo and other cities in capital. January to assist the police in quelling the increased mass protests against • In an effort to combat piracy off the his regime.The demonstrations have Horn of Africa, Mr Jack Lang, a UN been orchestrated mainly via Facebook adviser on piracy, has suggested and Twitter by Egyptians disgruntled by setting up courts to prosecute Somali the lack of political and economic pirates. He also called for the arrest of reform in the country. The police have the leaders of the pirate groups who been accused of using heavy handed continue to harass ships passing tactics in dispersing the protestors. through the region. This follows a US President Barak Obama is keeping successful operation by South Korean a close eye on developments and special forces in the Arabian Sea, who urged the Egyptian government to freed 21 sailors from the South speed up reforms. At the time of going Korean-operated freighter Samho to print President Mubarak had Jewelry, which was hijacked by Somali resigned and the army council had pirates earlier in the month. Eight taken over running the country prior to pirates died and five were captured. democratic elections.

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Making the Grade

Accreditation of Defence Forces TRAINING Training and Education

By Lt Cdr Brian FitzGerald (SPO)

A Case in Point – A Salty Sea Tale Acceditation in the Naval Service – On February 12th 2009, the 36 students of n 2007, after 24 years of service, Chief Stage One: Money for Old Rope the 32nd Naval Service PNCOs Course Petty Officer Thomas Griffin retired from In 2004, the Naval Service chose to tackle were awarded a Higher Certificate in Ithe Defence Forces to take up this issue head-on, and, over a five-year Leadership, Management and Naval Studies employment elsewhere in the public service. period, managed to deliver accreditation for (Level 6 Special Purpose) from In several respects Thomas was as fine a the learning undertaken by Enlisted Institute of Technology. The response from Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) as the Personnel. That same year, the Naval the students was such as to inspire the Defence Forces is likely to produce. College, under the command of Cdr Thomas Naval College to continue its efforts However, despite his excellent record, his Tuohy, and with the approval of the Director towards accreditation for all of its training new public service employer awarded him of Defence Forces Training (DDFT), and education programmes for enlisted the lowest point on the pay-scale (that of an presented the Naval Service Potential personnel. unskilled worker), because he held no NCOs (PNCOs) Course syllabus to the recognisable qualifications. Despite several Higher Education Training Awards Council Acceditation in the Naval Service – years of training and education within the (HETAC) for evaluation. It was found that, Stage Two: Making Both Ends Meet Defence Forces, his certification held no by virtue of its duration and learning It was found that the accreditation of the currency outside its walls. outcomes, the course represented the PNCOs course acts as a keystone for all equivalent of 60 credits at Level 6 on the that follows. The Naval College was Defence Forces and Accreditation – NFQ. HETAC, therefore, recommended convinced that if the training and education Between the Devil and the Deep seeking accreditation through an of Potential NCOs merited Level 6 on the Blue Sea appropriate authority. The selection of an NFQ, then arguably, all training and The majority of Defence Forces training and ‘appropriate authority’ presented a dilemma education in preparation for the course education programmes remain for the Naval Service and the Defence merited a similar level of recognition. The unaccredited within Ireland’s National Forces. The options available included the Naval College, under the stewardship of Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) (see DDFT; the NMCI/Cork Institute of Cdr Mark Mellett DSM (now FOCNS), set Figure 1). This lack of recognition evidences Technology (CIT); the Naval College or about examining the training and education a ‘gap’ between the Defence Forces as a directly with HETAC. In consultation with being delivered to sailors of all branches, lifelong learning organisation and the DDFT and HETAC, it was decided that the prior to the PNCOs course. This revealed at society within which it functions. Since the best course of action would be to use least a further 60 credits worth of training enactment of the Qualifications (Education NMCI/CIT, in light of the Naval Service’s and education programmes between the and Training) Act 1999, accreditation of all close association there, and the fact that end of the recruit course and the start of the learning that takes place within Ireland is CIT holds devolved powers of accreditation PNCOs course. Primarily, these credits provided for under the NFQ. It caters for the from HETAC. comprise two short professional courses national objective of moving towards a HETAC also looked at the number of worth ten credits each, and a further 40 lifelong learning society by establishing a Naval courses being run for other ranks. As credits, innovatively drawn, from Work- common currency of credit for all learning. this figure was large (96), HETAC feared an Based Learning (WBL). Across the three In light of the extraordinary amount of unwieldy process of validation and services (Army, Naval Service and Air training and education that Defence Forces recommended that the Naval Service seek Corps), the operational environment is personnel undertake throughout their accreditation in ‘batches’ in order to deliver extraordinarily rich in work-based learning career, it is arguable that the organisation is major awards for the maximum number of and has been described by the accrediting ideally placed to seek accreditation for this people. As a result, the Naval College institution CIT as being an ideal place from effort. A lack of accreditation for the designed a model that mirrored the career which to capture learning for the learning undertaken creates an path and matched major awards to career subsequent accumulation of credits. As the unnecessary gap between the standard of milestones (Figure 2 overleaf). Naval Service was already capturing this qualifications on offer within the Defence Figure 1 Forces and the standard in use across the society it serves. In short, Defence Forces qualifications represent a form of restricted currency that holds value within the confines of the military, but this value is not easily transferable in the outside world. As a result, the individual, the organisation and society each fail to exploit to the full the wealth of knowledge, skills and competencies that are resident within the ranks of the Defence Forces.

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Figure 2 the accreditation of our training and education programmes under the NFQ represents a policy-strategy match that can fill the gap that has existed. The accreditation model use in the Naval Service for enlisted personnel seeks to capture the entire gambit of learning taking place, without interfering in any way with the military career structures already in TRAINING place. This model has been embraced by DDFT and is currently being rolled out, with some necessary modifications throughout the entire Defence Forces.

Conclusion – Nailing One’s Colours to the Mast It is both unacceptable and unnecessary that valued members of the organisation work based learning in a career task book Naval College, now and society, such as Chief Petty Officer compiled by the individuals, it was able to under the Griffin, are not given appropriate validate 40 credits for the learning delivered stewardship Cdr recognition for the learning they have in the operational environment. Therefore Martin Counihan set undertaken. Naval Service training and education about combining the The non-accreditation of Defence Forces between the end of the recruit course and Standard and Senior learning programmes under the NFQ has the beginning of the PNCOs course NCOs Courses and negative consequences for the represented 60 credits at a Level 6. This branch professional organisation, the individual and society. The harnessed a total of 120 credits by the end training into a single accreditation of this fertile resource can of the PNCOs course that delivered a major submission for these result in one of the state’s most enduring Defence Forces. Níl neart go chur le chéile. Naval College team: ‘Footdrill requires the skills award of a Higher Certificate in Leadership, 60 credits. The institutions re-defining its place within Naval Service officer learning knowledge and competence to conduct State Management and Naval Studies (Level 6). submission was society in a mutually beneficial way. This programmes are integrated with Ceremonial. For example: a short notice requirement On February 19th 2010, 26 graduates of immediately time in our history represents one of professional qualifications and naturally to perform the Guard of Honour at the graveside of the 33rd PNCOs Course became the first accepted as being at diminished economic circumstances, and in deliver accreditation. Nonetheless, the President of the USA, or deliver the 1916 members of the Defence Forces to be a Level 7, in spite of our efforts to address this situation we expansion of these programmes to include commemoration parade through Dublin.’ awarded a Higher Certificate in Leadership certain colourful clearly need every ounce of knowledge, skill accreditation for WBL has also been Killeavy, M. (2004) ‘Practice and Procedures Regarding Management and Naval Studies (Level 6) queries. However, the and competence resources deployed in successfully delivered by the Naval Accreditation and Evaluation in the Irish Republic’ in for the training and education undertaken process revealed a harmony. It is my hope, that my opinions will College. Schwarz S and Westerheijden D. (eds), Higher between the recruit course and the end of lack of academic make a positive contribution to that Education Dynamics, pp.233-250, Massachusetts, the PNCOs Course. content normally challenge, by identifying a way in which the Validation panel: ‘Footdrill is putting one foot in front of USA, Kluwer Academic Publishers. associated with an nation can reap a greater reward from its the other, hardly a Level 7 skill!’ Acceditation in the Naval Service – ordinary degree. Stage Three: Splicing the Main Brace Specifically, there Crucially, as a result of capturing 120 credits was a shortage of before the end of the PNCOs Course, independent research worth 15 credits at a Level 7 would be sufficient room remained to accumulate and analysis being undertaken by the sufficient to fill this gap in the learning enough credits (60) at a higher level (7) to students. After lengthy negotiations it was required. As the research project was not attain an Ordinary Degree as an NCO. The agreed that a 5,000 word research project compulsory in the context of ones Defence Forces career, only 13 out of the 23 students on the 18th Senior NCOs Course in 2009 undertook to complete the project. To their credit each one passed with ease and the overall standard drew favourable comment from both internal and external examiners alike. On June 17th 2010, 13 members of the Senior NCOs course became the first ever graduates of a Senior NCOs Course in the Defence Forces to be awarded an Ordinary Degree in Leadership Management and Naval Studies for the training and education undertaken during their careers.

The Way Forward – Forging Ahead ‘Accredited learning is now viewed as an essential ingredient to future economic growth and the prosperity of society, and as a right that carries both duties and responsibilities’ (Killeavy 2004). The White Paper on Defence (2000, Para 462) provides that ‘all personnel will be provided with the opportunity for personal development and associated professional experience in order to realise their full potential during their service in the Defence Forces.’ Therefore,

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very day the Defence Forces carries ‘The gardaí are the first responder,’ Shift out a wide range of high profile roles, Cpl Steven McElavany told me. Efrom drugs interdiction, to fishery ‘We are here primarily as a deterrent and to The Provost protection, to EOD callouts, to peace- provide assistance to the gardaí, if they The Provost keeping overseas, to name just a few. require it. Our first concern in an incident is However, a much lesser-known but very to seal off any security breach. For example, important role the Defence Forces carry out on the morning the cement truck was driven is providing security in Government at the gates of Leinster House, we watched Buildings and Leinster House, where they events unfold from the control room. You Guard have the job of providing the country’s have to take every incident seriously and in Guard government, TDs and public servants who this case we had no idea what the driver’s work there, with a safe and secure intentions were. However, he didn’t cross environment. the line (pass through the gate) and the By Wesley Bourke There has been a military presence in gardaí handled the situation. If he had both Government Buildings and Leinster crossed the line, we would then have had a House since the foundation of the state, complete lock-down and a stand-to PteWayne Kelly (Fire Piqquet) and today that role falls to the 1st Military situation.’ Police Detachment, Government Buildings. As Cpl McElvany spoke, I recalled a make sure the lads get their breakfast, dinner and tea. It’s a totally different ‘We are here at the direct requested of the previous conversation with some DFHQ THE PROVOST GUARD government,’ explained Capt Mick Daly (OC colleagues, where we talked about the guy atmosphere from the battalion and it’s a 1 MP Det, Gov Bldgs). ‘Many people, even in the truck, who later tried a similar great unit, great lads and a great place to within the Defence Forces, don’t know we protest, again outside the Dáil, using a work.’ While Steven keeps the lads fuelled, are here even though we do an important cherry picker. The driver explained on the Wayne does a fire piquet with a difference, job.’ Although the gardaí have a strong news report later that he was making a spending his nights in the Natural History visible presence, the MPs are the only peaceful protest, but when I thought about it Museum. ‘Fire piquet is an important role armed force in and around Leinster House. I certainly would not like to have been the we have here,’ he says. ‘We respond to, and They conduct regular patrols, man posts garda or MP waiting to see just how look after, all fire security issues for and maintain a fire piquet 24/7 for the entire peaceful a protest it was going to be. As we Government Buildings, Leinster House, the complex. know from public order incidents departments of Finance and Agriculture, the internationally and at home, it doesn’t National Art and Natural History museums, always end up as a laughing matter. and the Annex buildings. The fire alarm For the MPs, it’s not all manning posts panels are all in the Joint Control Room, so and patrols. Their role also involves a if anything happens we are the first to considerable amount of ceremonial duties, respond. It’s not like being in a barracks; I’m with countless foreign leaders and here two years now and still get lost, whereas some of the guys have been here 30 years and know the place inside out.’ ‘It’s an extremely high-profile location to work in,’ Capt Daly says. ‘The unit is small, which puts extra responsibility on its personnel to step up to the mark and they are regarded in very high standing. Last year, during the public service strikes on November 24th, a lot of the civilian staff, including the ushers in Leinster House and Cpt Mick Daly (OC 1 MP Det, Gov Bldgs Government Building, went out and as a result the task of keeping government ‘A major part of our job involves working running fell to us. With extra personnel with our civilian and garda partners,’ Capt supplied by 2 Field MP Company, we had to Daly continued. ‘We man a joint camera ensure that the ministers and TDs were able room with the gardaí and we also work very to continue their work. Our presence on that closely with the Services Management Unit; Cpl Colm Donn elly (Liaison and Fire Piquet occasion was certainly highlighted and our An ’s office, and the ushers in NCO) good conduct was very favourably Leinster House, as well as the dignitaries coming to visit the Taoiseach commented on by Dáil. We have a lot of Superintendent of the House, Paul Conway, and government ministers. As Cpl Colm responsibility in these tough times. There is and the of the Guard, John Donnelly (Liaison and Fire Piquet NCO) a lot of pressure, and now more than ever, Flaherty, both of whom are ex-Defence outlined: ‘Although most of my liaison members of the unit have to be alert. Forces.' duties concern military, security or fire Anything is possible these days.’ For operational reasons, the exact safety issues ceremonial also plays a big strength of the unit cannot be revealed, but part. The Taoiseach’s office lets me know typically each member does 15 shifts a who is coming and when, and we provide an month, rotating early, late, rest and then a escort-of-honour on their arrival. You meet pass, which means they are on-call. dignitaries from all over the world: some of Naturally, I wanted to know what happens if our recent visitors have included Mr Li there is an incident or confrontation in or Changchun, a member of the Chinese around the buildings, given that over the Standing Committee, and the Finnish prime last year alone a member of the public tried minister, Mari Johanna Kiviniemi. It’s quite to set themselves on fire; a petrol bomb was a prestigious job.’ thrown through the window of the Two newer members of the unit are Pte Department of Finance; and in recent Wayne Kelly (Fire Piquet) and Pte Steven months, protests have increased in temper Nolan (Chef). ‘I came here about a two Shift Commander to the point were demonstrators have tried years ago, after Monaghan Barracks Cpl Steven McElvaney Pte StevenNolan (Chef) to get through the gates of Leinster House. closed,’ Steven told me. ‘We (the chefs)

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Bosnia & Herzegovina: Dayton at a Crossroads?

OVERSEAS By Comdt Gavin Young National flag of Bosnia & Herzegovina continued presence blocks eventual organised crime gangs smuggle weapons, very mention of constitutional change, the n October 3rd last year, Bosnia & and Roma descent3, the Bosnian dubbed the ‘poster child of international 6 Bosnian membership of the EU. For the HR drugs and people into Western Europe allocation of former Yugoslav state property, Herzegovina (BiH) went to the polls in constitution was found to be discriminatory reconstruction efforts’ . to leave, politicians will have to compromise through BiH, and an estimated 500,000 apologies for civil war atrocities and even Othe fifth general election since the end by the European Court of Human Rights as In 2004 EUFOR’s Operation ‘Althea’ took to achieve success with the ‘5+2’ agenda illegally held weapons are circulating in the mundane issues like a national census. The 7 of their brutal civil war. In the ethnically it only allows for Bosniaks, Croats and over the military role from NATO’s SFOR. and other vital issues like constitutional community. Post-traumatic stress from a Bosnian people have deep-seated problems fragmented country of about 4.5 million Serbs to be elected to the joint presidency. As progress was made towards the reform. Without the HR, some in the civil war not yet a generation past is real in yet to overcome. Progressive politics would people 140 ministers will eventually be Even though the ECHR ruling is an establishment of a militarily safe and international community believe, it will the community and a national identity has be a good start. selected at local, regional and national impediment on the path toward eventual EU secure environment EUFOR has reduced in never make the reforms necessary for Euro- yet to emerge for BiH. This is not helped by level.1 Sadly, the election campaign saw and NATO membership, and most BiH strength and today it is Sarajevo-centred, Atlantic integration.11 Yet, potential EU schools teaching different curricula to each politicians falling back on habitual ethnic citizens want the barrier to the presidency with only around 1,500 soldiers with 30 Footnotes 4 membership is seen as overwhelmingly ethnic group. labels in their attempts to get elected, lifted , the committee set up for liaison and observation teams countrywide. positive; 83% of BiH citizens said they The means for the reform of the Dayton 1. Politicians ran for election to the BiH rather than focusing on the urgent needs of constitutional reform has failed to make any It has also embraced an additional role of would vote for membership as it would bring structures were written into the presidency, Houses of Representatives and the population, such as jobs, education and progress, a clear example of the political capacity building and training assistance to economic development, more political constitution and were never meant to be House of Peoples. This parliamentary order is 2 mirrored in both entities, Federation BiH and healthcare. Nearly five months later a stagnation in the country. the nascent armed forces of BiH. stability, increased security and permanent. Given the lack of progress it is national coalition government has still not The origins of the BiH constitution lie in Owing to this progress there was 12 Republika Srpska. Elections were also held 5 employment. conceivable that the mutually fatigued for the Federation BiH cantonal (local) been formed. the 1995 Dayton Agreement , which also political chatter of possible withdrawal of BiH is considered one of the most Bosnian and international communities In a bizarre reflection of the political separated the warring parties and allowed the HR and EUFOR from 2005/6 onwards. governments. corrupt countries in Europe.13 It has an could go their separate ways. Despite this, stalemate, the Bosnian Football normality to return after the 1992-95 war. In But 15 years after the ceasefire the 2. ‘In advance of… the general elections there estimated 40% unemployment rate and the due to a ‘lack of shared vision by political was a marked increase in divisive, anti- Association risks expulsion from UEFA and building much-needed consensus Dayton benchmarks for such a withdrawal (the ‘5+2’ € 14 8 average monthly salary is 400. Established leaders’ , feudal clans are mustered at the Dayton rhetoric disputing sovereignty and FIFA because it has a tripartite presidency. also set out complicated, decentralised agenda ) outline a political end state, not a constitutional order of [BiH].’ 8 Nov 2010 letter Mirroring the national presidency, it rotates government structures and the powerful specific end date. This progress has stalled from the High Representative for [BiH] and between a Bosniak (Muslim), a Croat and a High Representative (HR) position. Dayton, as politicians ‘have failed to address long- EU Special Representative addressed to the Serb. Yet, UEFA rules demand a single backed up by strong UN resolutions, also needed reforms’9 and use the Dayton- UN Secretary General. S/2010/575. president and the BiH FA cannot agree on established IFOR. As a result of the endorsed mechanisms of government as 3. ECHR judgement: Sejdic and Finci v attempts to sort it out, thereby risking agreement there was progress on many ‘one massive blocking mechanism when it BiH,(application nos. 27996/06 & 34836/06) expulsion from the 2012 European Cup and fronts. BiH received billions of dollars in comes to legislation and governance.’10 judgement 22 Dec 2009. other competitions. More seriously, in 2009, foreign aid (more that Germany received The relationship between BiH and the 4. An average of 63% were against ethnic in a case taken by two Bosnians of Jewish through the Marshall Plan in 1947) and was HR is now at a crossroads and the HR’s limitations. See Gallup Balkan Monitor, ‘Focus on Bosnia and Herzegovina’, GBM Focus On, #04, Nov 2010. 5. The General Framework Agreement for Peace in BiH, 14 Dec 1995. Aka Dayton/Paris Peace Accords, Dayton Agreement or, simply, Dayton. 6. The Death of Dayton, Patrice C. McMahon and Jon Western, Foreign Affairs, Sep/Oct 2009. 7. EUFOR is the practical and legal successor of SFOR and IFOR. 8. These cover five objectives: Acceptable and sustainable resolution of the allocation of property between State and other levels of government; acceptable and sustainable resolution of military property; completion of the Brcko district final award; fiscal sustainability; and entrenchment of rule of law; and two conditions: signing of the EU Stabilisation and Association Agreement; and a stable political situation. 9. See footnote 2. 10. See The Challenges of Constitutional Reform, TransConflict interview with Professor Bruce Hitchener, Bosnia Daily, 18 Nov 2010. 11. ‘Are we there yet?’ International impatience vs. a long term strategy for a viable Bosnia, Kurt Bassueur & Bobo Weber, Democratization Policy Council. 31 May 2010. 12. See note 4. 13. BiH is listed as joint 91st most corrupt of 173 countries surveyed (behind all other European countries except Kosovo) in the Transparency International Global Perceptions Index 2010. 14. Key Findings of the 2010 Progress Report on The famous bridge at Mostar, destroyed by tank shelling during the conflict in 1993, and since painstakingly rebuilt. It is a Bosnia & Herzegovina, EU 2010 Enlargement Package Report, 09 Nov 2010. UNESCO World Heritage site.

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STRATEGIC REVIEW Mission Complete – MINURCAT & EUFOR CHAD/RCA By Capt David Slattery

n September 2008, barely six months the efforts of Irish peacekeepers have done the Irish Times, the efforts of the Irish bite’ to be used as a stick to beat, or be to the next. worthwhile, as evidenced by the after UNSCR 1778 provided for the more to bring a renewed hope of peace and Defence Forces in Eastern Chad became beaten, with. More often than not, the word The possibility for numerous humanitarians, refugees, IDPs and Chadian launch of the EU led peacekeeping security than could have been foreseen. arguably the most appreciated by the is used by those who have failed to grasp interpretations of a mandate causes tension citizens who are grateful for the security Ioperation EUFOR TCHAD/RCA, ‘Oxfam believes that EUFOR has made Chadian people for the contribution made either the intent for which it was created or in civil/military relations when international they enjoyed during the short Irish Oxfam International published a briefing many civilians feel safer through its to the safe and secure environment that it the weight of authority that it actually organisations argue that the military should deployment in Chad and who also now feel paper entitled Mission Incomplete: Why activities, which include patrolling known was deployed to provide. This continues to confers on those sent to implement it, or by be pursuing one course of action over growing fear as the last Irish personnel civilians remain at risk in Eastern Chad. dangerous routes, destroying unexploded be the case eight months after the Irish those who have never read the paper it was another. The physical limitations, such as departed Eastern Chad on December 28th STRATEGIC REVIEW Over two years – and two UN Security ordnance, making contact with local battalion departed Goz Beida following a written on. troop numbers and equipment, come much 2010.■ Council Resolutions1 – later, as the last leaders, and positioning itself defensively Chadian government request to the UN for Fortunately, this doesn’t apply to the later in the process but are equally Defence Forces soldiers withdraw from around civilians during rebel and the withdrawal of military forces. Refugees Defence Forces. The Irish interpretation of disabling. Capt David Slattery was the officer in charge Eastern Chad, the question remains; what government fighting. in Djabal refugee camp near Goz Beida are the mandate is, for better or worse, The common traits which run throughout of the FHQ CIMIC Cell, 97 Inf Bn, EUFOR has the presence of a multinational There was another incident on June 14th reported as saying they are living la peur au influenced by the almost subconscious the above resolutions, however, are (May-Oct 2008) and MA to Brig Gen Aherne peacekeeping force done for Eastern Chad? 2008, when rebel forces and government ventre4 (in abject fear) since the departure notion of neutrality and impartiality that we extracted for the MINURCAT United (DFC MINURCAT) Sep-Dec 2010. Unfortunately, the answer to that question forces fought in Goz Beida. EUFOR of the Irish troops in May 2010. Further are inherently and gratefully imbued with. Nations Mission Statement8. UNSCR 1861 will only come in the rear view mirror as appeared to remain neutral, to the extent reports state that the refugees living there, Even more curious is that it was for exactly ‘mandates’ a UN peacekeeping force to Footnotes: Irish soldiers and the UN-mandated that the government accused it of assisting despite their exposure to numerous this reason that the Defence Forces contribute to the existing sovereign 1. UNSCRs 1861 & 1923. peacekeeping force withdraw to allow the the rebels. Civilians expressed satisfaction atrocities at the hands of the military forces succeeded in implementing the written government’s capabilities for the protection 2. At the time the Oxfam Article was published Chadian government resume overall with EUFOR’s reaction, particularly the in Sudan, found ‘a new respect for mandate, as opposed to the intended of civilians. This provides for a the Irish & Dutch MNB (S) had been 5 responsibility for the security of their state. refugees who saw EUFOR troops interpose uniformed forces’ during the Irish mandate written between the lines by the peacekeeping force into a country where operational for less than three months. Many arguments will be presented to themselves between their camp and the deployment. Despite negative media authors of the initial EUFOR deployment. identifiable antagonists, arguably the first 3. Annette Rehrl, UN press officer, quoted by show that the political intent which drove rebel forces.’ (Mission Incomplete: Why attention, those humanitarians who ‘Chad was a manufactured operation; it requirement to necessitate the deployment Conor Lally: 'If a humanitarian base is the Chad/RCA deployment directly led to civilians remain at risk in Eastern Chad, witnessed first-hand the actions of the Irish resulted from the desire of the new French of a peacekeeping force, is the first notable attacked, and we were; logic tells you they either the positive or the negative Chin, S, 2008, p.13) troops, in this one example of their many president and foreign minister to present absence. Equally obvious is the lack of should have protected us.' Ms Rehrl received outcomes of the mission. The reality of the The Oxfam briefing paper serves to achievements in Chad, continue to express their ESDP credentials. It had nothing to do national institutions that the mandate her information from the UNHCR Deputy Head current situation, however, shows that after highlight EUFORs successes using the their gratitude. What was it therefore that with a collective decision of the EU on the implies must fill the gap for the protection of Office in Goz Beida, Nicolas Kabayuro, who remained behind closed compound gates while more than a two-year deployment the Irish example in Goz Beida, while it refers the Defence Forces brought to Eastern need to act in the light of a new crisis in of civilians left vacant by the inadequate 6 9 EUFOR troops secured the perimeter and advancements made are not due in any to other sectors to highlight where the Chad? One thing the Irish were certainly Africa.’ deployment of troops it allows for. evacuated other bases under attack. At no large part to what the political policy of mission failed to meet expectations. not responsible for was the mandate. The With legislation, until a case is While a deployment of 3,600 time was UNHCR in danger as it was the UNSCR 1778 had intended. Instead, due to Furthermore, despite the comments of a word ‘mandate’ is often thrown into a presented before a court for a judge to peacekeepers was the largest the Chadian UNICEF compound next door that was the pre-occupation of the Sudanese misinformed UN press officer3 quoted in conversation or inserted as a media ‘sound make a legal interpretation the exact intent government would tolerate, it was also the evacuated in the first instance. Mr Kabayuro government focusing on the oil rich south of that law may have numerous absolute minimum required for any military spoke on the phone to Ms Rehrl explaining how and attempts at separation in the recent interpretations by both those who abide by force to achieve inroads in its mission to the rebels were in town but that he could not Sudanese referendum, the security it and those who enforce it. Unfortunately, provide for the protection of civilians. see EUFOR. I submit that as UNHCR was not situation along Chad’s eastern border now this is where laws and mandates cease to Therein exists the stick with which to be under attack like other compounds, and reflects what UNSCR 1778 could not have resemble each other. A UN mandate does beaten; for where the responsibility for the because Mr Kabayuro was firmly behind closed doors, he was unable to witness the actions of predicted, a relatively calm state not enjoy judicial interpretation but is protection of civilians lies with more than EUFOR on the day. Mr Kabayuro emerged from maintained in part by a Chad/Sudanese always open to interpretation by any one institution, when no one authority bears his secure compound after two hours to Joint Border Monitoring Force. organisation that is either subjected to its the overall responsibility for its request an evacuation from Goz Beida. This is to say, that the current situation authority or is in some way an observer of achievement, and where blame can be 4. MINURCAT Public Information Office, quoted in Eastern Chad may owe as much to the its impact. Most frequently, however, it is assigned to, and by, either signatory, no from Cyberpresse, 25/10/2010 passage of time, as it does to the presence used, with absolute bias, as a media tool to desire or international pressure will force 5. Source unknown. Quote from Mary Eliza of a multinational peacekeeping force. This try, convict and execute anyone associated the institutions to make good on their Kimball, Director of Political & Civil Affairs, does not mean to say that the contribution with its implementation. responsibility. MINURCAT, Sept 2010. 6. British officer of the Irish Defence Forces in Eastern For the Defence Forces, the mandate is In this respect, the Irish troops deployed quoted in Command and Control? Planning for Chad was fruitless or that it had no impact EU military Operations. Simon, Luis. p.3 simply the third phase of the triple-lock in Eastern Chad, who according to all local 6. Occasional Paper no 81, EU Institute for or served no purpose. On the contrary, the process that enables our government to sources created the best conditions security Studies (2010). Oxfam briefing paper, although a hard- legitimise our deployment overseas. That is possible for security in the region, were 7. UNSCR 1706 mandates UNMIS in Darfur to hitting finger-pointing exercise, also where our involvement in the forming of the subjected to unwanted media attention assess border conditions with Eastern Chad. unintentionally proves that despite a very mandate comes to an end. A mandate created by, and sourced from, the other 8. Military Strategic Concept of Operations short deployment2 the Defence Forces’ requires time for all participants to become institutions who were equally responsible (CONOPS) 5 Feb 2009. presence in Eastern Chad had already familiar with and observe how each of the for the provision of security but who were 9. At the height of its deployment MINURCAT made a profound impact, having achieved other actors will interpret and act on it. perhaps less successful in this endeavour. reached a strength of 3,636; only 70% of its more for the protection of civilians than From UNSCR 17067 in 2006 (which viewed Despite the frustrations outlined above, the mandated strength. had been there at any previous time. the problems in Eastern Chad from the Defence Forces has gained a wealth of Instead of answering the question about Sudanese perspective) through UNSCR operational, logistical and personal Sources what the presence of a multinational 1778 in 2007 (which allowed EUFOR to experience from its involvement in Chad, Mission Incomplete: Why Civilians remain at risk peacekeeping force has done for Eastern deploy 3,700 well-equipped troops) to which it can bring to future international in Eastern Chad. Chin, S. Oxfam International (2008). Chad, the intention of this piece is to UNSCR 1923 in 2010 (which mandated a deployments. Command and Control? Planning for EU Military discuss how Irish troops were able to bring reduced UN strength of 2,225 troops), a For the individual Irish soldiers who Operations. Simon, L. EU Institute for Security a unique peacekeeping experience to universal understanding of the mandates served on the mission, they can be safe in Studies (2010). Eastern Chad, despite enormous political could scarcely achieve legitimate the knowledge that the commitment and UN Security Council resolutions 1706 (2006), 1778 pressure, and also provide examples of how interpretation from the evolution from one sacrifices they and their families made were (2007), 1861 (2009) and 1923 (2010).

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at achieving high-intensity impact from low- prime theorists says: 'Without access to willing suicide bombers. intensity input and is, in essence, a form of confrontation in the field and seizing In 2009, Bob Morris coined the phrase ‘a effects-based warfare. One of the problems control of the land, we cannot establish a vortex of violence’ to describe the potential with 5GW is that given its nebulous and state, which is the strategic goal of the of 5GW, and Lt Col Stanton Coerr, writing unstructured nature it is almost impossible resistance.' He also adds that the strategy in the Marine Corps Gazette in the same to enforce norms of what is acceptable for a truly global conflict on as many fronts year, stated: ‘When defeating 5th behaviour and what is not, in the way that as possible will take the form of resistance generation enemies, the old rules of such things are laid down for conventional by super-empowered small cells or warfare do not apply.’ A phenomenon that military conflicts through the Geneva individuals, rather than traditional guerrilla has been labelled Shari’ah finance is Conventions. warfare. ‘To avoid penetration and defeat by funnelling financial support from wealthy With ever-increasing developments in security services,’ he says, ‘organisational supporters and some states to radical technology, groups intent on delivering links should be kept to an absolute jihadist causes, although this has been destruction now have vastly increased minimum.’ described by William Lind as ‘a kind of means and opportunities to cause serious John Robb, author of Brave New World carnival sideshow’ in the greater scheme of disruption to states and their militaries in (2008) suggests that super-empowerment is 5GW. the field. Complex weapons systems can be a complex phenomenon employing more Previous wars were conducted in a The Changing Face hacked into, and cyber-crime is on the than a mere reduction in scale (down to a spatial zone recognisable to both march as online predators deploy armies of single attacker). Rather, it is the process by combatants and was dependant on physical botnets (robotic networks of computers, which individuals and small groups are force projection from space (via satellites) hijacked without their owners’ consent, or using rapidly improving technological tools through air, land, and sea to the subsurface. of Warfare even knowledge) to plunder corporate and to radically improve their effectiveness in Now, however, the battle is being conducted consumer data for financial gain. warfare. One aspect of this new technology through intellectual projections involving Comdt Gary McKeon By Comdt Gary McKeon A digital information war is being that has the potential to be transfor- secrecy and unknown actors. silently waged. While not being physically mational in terms of warfare, is self- In the last number of years we have seen modern states require a multifaceted violent this war is culturally, socially and replication, through which small groups or events as spectacular and disturbing as the approach in order to create an effective economically violent; and its ultimate goal individuals could manufacture millions, or bombing of the twin towers on September environment to combat sinister he killing of Hamas militant Mahmud strengths. In its common form it can best be is that of any war, the political defeat of the billions, of daemons/bots/virii/bacteria, 11th, the Madrid bombings (which caused developments in our increasingly complex al-Mabhuh in Dubai in January 2010 understood as insurgency warfare. enemy. displaying increasingly complex behaviour, the Spanish government to fall), a host of world. Tmay, on the surface, appear to be little Iraq and Afghanistan provided the In this murky world of information at nearly zero cost. internet hijackings and invasions of For individual citizens this can mean more than the latest in a long string of theatres where this new generation of warfare it can be hard to know who is Three years ago, for example, a team led mainframe cyber systems, and the anthrax enhancing personal security with pin politically motivated assassinations in the warfare was being realised, and writers like conducting a campaign and who is by Dr Craig Venter (founder of Celera and ricin attacks of 2001 and 2004 numbers/codes and monitoring what we Middle East. However, it may also be a David Kilcullen (Accidental Guerrilla) and defending against one. For example, in the Genomics, The Institute for Genomic respectively. Thus, it is reasonable to upload to social network sites like manifestation of what some military Antonio Giustozzi (Koran, Kalashnikov and case of the assassination of Mahmud al- Research) created a functioning virus from propose that in a protracted and continuous Facebook, Twitter and Bebo. For the military analysts are calling fifth-generation warfare Laptops) expertly explained how Mabhuh in Dubai it has not been proven off-the-shelf chemicals. Venter’s team war, where finite conventional resources are it means maintaining and strengthening (5GW). conventional military forces were adopting whether Israel’s Mossad agency was selected a specific virus, purchased the arrayed against infinite asymmetrical firewalls and other protective means for our It is an indication of how quickly things to the need for a new way of operating that actually involved or if the Israeli state is the necessary genetic base pairs, and then threats, states must come to understand IT networks (currently the CIS Corps are moving in the field of military was a generation away from the target of a disinformation campaign. Either assembled the pairs into a functioning the character of the emerging threat and employs a very comprehensive security developments that it is not long ago that manoeuvre-type operations employed by way, the Israeli Government has been synthetic virus. All of the materials and adapt accordingly. system), and for governments it may mean expert analysts such as William S Lind (US) conventional militaries since WWII. forced into a position where it will neither equipment the team used are commercially Every modern state will have to improve the introduction of more legislation focused and Col TX Hammes (USMC) were talking So what then constitutes this latest confirm nor deny any involvement in what available without restrictions. Venter has their cyber- and real security structures as on the treat and the prosecution of those about the emergence of fourth-generation development, 5GW? First of all, there is has developed into a very sensitive predicted that within a decade what took an they know there are individuals, and some convicted. warfare (4GW), or asymmetrical warfare. In disagreement among experts as to whether diplomatic incident. elite team with a very well equipped lab to states, intent on creating havoc for their As with most things, 5GW did not such conflicts the strategies and tactics 5GW is actually a new form of warfare or a Some extreme Islamic fundamentalist do the first time could be done by any infrastructure and political system. appear out of nothing. Rather it has grown employed by the militarily weaker side move variation on 4GW or even merely terrorist groups have posited that the next stage of competent graduate student in a university Whereas in the past a state’s enemy was out of all that has preceded it, incorporating away from the traditional, and in their case activity linked with criminal intent. For the jihad will be characterised by acts of terror lab. usually an identifiable person or group, it is the latest technological applications into an unachievable, short-term aim of destroying proponents of 5GW as a separate entity, the created by individuals or small autonomous This ability to manufacture viruses and now harder for them to recognise who they otherwise unrestricted theatre of warfare. the enemy’s forces and instead employ term is being applied to what appears to be groups (leaderless resistance), which will other biological agents has the potential to are ‘at war’, and in some cases do not even New threats require new methods and long-term actions designed to defeat the developing into an unrestricted type of wear down the enemy and prepare the significantly destabilise a targeted state. realise they are at war, in which case their doctrines to deal with them and it is enemy’s political will to fight. By doing so it warfare: that is, one that is not limited to ground for the far more ambitious aim of Furthermore, the delivery of such a attackers may get away with the perfect incumbent on those charged with the pits each side’s political strength against our understood conventions. Evolving as it waging war on ‘open fronts’. biological weapon would present little crime. protection of the state that they adapt the other, rather than their military has from asymmetrical warfare, 5GW aims Mustafa Setmariam Nasar, one of the difficulty, particularly to a group with easy In the face of the threats posed by 5GW, quickly to these emerging threats.■

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The following text was taken from the recently published Medals of the Irish Defence Forces book and outlines how authorised medals should be properly worn. For more on the wearing of medals, you should contact Ceremonial Section, ‘A’ Administration, DFHQ, whose staff were instrumental in putting this book together.

Authorised medals include: • By officers and enlisted personnel of Family Members • Defence Forces Medals Guards of Honour and Escorts of Honour Next of kin should not wear the medals of a • United Nations Medals • By members of the court at a court martial deceased family member, except when the • European Community/Union Medals • On state and military funerals by pall medal is awarded posthumously. Medals TACTICAL AIDES • United Nations Mandated Mission Medals bearers; marshals; escort; firing; bearer are awarded to individuals in recognition of parties and bands. specific acts or service and should only be Precedence of Medals • On such other occasions as may be worn by the individual to whom awarded. As outlined in Administrative Instruction authorised by the Deputy Chief of Staff Family of deceased members of the A9, when worn, precedence shall be (Support), or the General Officer Defence Forces should only wear the reckoned from the wearer’s right to left and Commanding a Brigade or Formation. following medals when the decoration is shoulder downward. presented directly to the next of kin. Medals shall not be worn: • The Military Medal for Gallantry Method of Wear • At a ceremony for the award of an order, Army and Air Corps decoration or medal • The Distinguished Service Medal Medals will be worn over the left breast • At a banquet, formal dinner or an official • The Military Star pocket. Pipe bands and pipers when on reception, unless indicated by the host • The Service Medal ceremonial duties shall wear their medals • With or on greatcoats or overcoats • The United Nations Peacekeeping Medal over the Tara Brooch. • By an officer or an enlisted person in Naval Service custody Replacement of Medals Medals shall be worn by Leading Seamen • By enlisted personnel undergoing A limited facility to provide individuals with and Seamen centrally on the left breast of imprisonment or detention replacement medals is available through ‘A’ the jumper with the clasps in line with the Administration Section, DFHQ. This only top of inner pocket. Wearing of Medals on Civilian Attire applies where the original medal has been For all other naval ratings, medals shall be Serving personnel, including 1st Line certified lost or destroyed and only where worn centrally on the left shoulder of the Reserve and shall the organisation that issued the medal coat with the clasps in line with the cut of not wear medals on civilian attire. Retired offers a replacement service. At present the lapel. personnel may wear medals on civilian this applies to the Defence Forces and the attire on the same occasions as United Nations only. A charge applies for Multiple Medals whenmedals are worn by serving personnel, this service.■ A single medal shall be suspended from a and in a similar manner. suspension bar. New Season Two to five medals inclusive shall be suspended from a single suspension bar of sufficient length to carry the required number of medals without overlapping. Where six or seven medals are worn, they shall be evenly overlapped on a suitable STYLE five-medal suspension bar. The premier medal shall be fully uncovered. Where more than seven medals are worn, a second row of medals shall be worn. In You’ll find a huge selection of the latest fashions for all occasions by our exclusive such cases a maximum of five medals will be mounted on both rows before Designers at Debenhams. Whether it’s the bold and punchy prints of H! by Henry overlapping begins on the top row. Holland or J by Jasper Conran’s chic sophisticated classics. Principles by Ben de Lisi have The Military Medal for Gallantry and the a collection to style your day and glam up your night while Star by Julien Macdonald will Distinguished Service Medal will be worn truly leave you sparkling like a celebrity. There’s every accessory a girl could want, individually and generally above any other row of medals. from gorgeous jewellery to designer handbags and stunning shoe collections. All affordable and all designed to make your outfit really come together. Occasions for Wear Unless otherwise ordered, medals shall be worn when attending: • The National Day of Commemoration Debenhams Cork Patrick Street. • The inauguration of An tUachtarán and other ceremonies attended by An tUachtarán • The presentation of letter of credence by an Apostolic Nuncio designate, an ambassador- or a minister designate • The annual 1916 commemoration ceremony • Commissioning ceremonies • The annual commemoration Mass for The medals of Lt Gen Pat Nash DSM (Retd). The three foreign medals are from France, deceased officers and enlisted personnel Poland and Chad.

24 AN COSANTÓIR February 2010 AN COSANTÓIR February 2011 25 00-An Cos-FEB-11 (p18-27) 26/02/2011 13:46 Page 26 The Army Badge This article, which appeared in the January 31st 1941 (Volume 1 Issue 6) of An Cosantóir outlines the origins of the Army Badge, more commonly known today as

the FF Badge. The text first appeared in An t-Óglach during the 1920s, which AN COSANTÓIR AT 70 was basically the precursor to the An Cosantóir. The FF Badge is still worn by our soldiers, sailors, airmen and women and it is widely used as a symbol to promote the Defence Forces, from official letter-headed paper, to vehicle signage, to our official websites, military.ie. hen, some twenty-five years ago, our Fál Gaelic scholars were casting about for The innumerable legends and traditions Wa fitting and worthy name for the associated with the magic word ‘Fál’ transport infant Volunteers organisation, the name of us back to the remote, prehistoric period of the ‘Fianna Fáil’ was suggested by the late Canon De Danaan occupation of the country. The Peader O’Leary. No greater authority could be celebrated Lia Fáil was brought hither by them quoted in support of any matter pertaining to the when they first decided on the conquest of than that of the ‘Leomhan na Erin. This ‘Stone of Destiny’ was one of their Gaoluínne’, and, surely, it would be difficult to most jealously guarded treasures. It was furnish a more appropriate title to designate the worshipped and revered, not only by the De Fighting Forces of the Gael than the two Danaans, but also by their Milesian successors represented by the letters, F.F. to the sovereignty of Ireland, as a gift of the gods. Fianna For centuries the coronation ceremonies of The word ‘Fianna’ to the Irish mind is symbolic the Gaelic monarchs were performed on this of the valour, manly prowess and chivalry of our Lia Fáil, and the Gaels had implicit faith in all race, while ‘Fáil’ is bound up with the very the extra-ordinary powers attributed to their earliest political and religious systems of the magic Stone of Destiny. It was credited with the Ancient Gael. power of emitting sounds when the rightful heir The name Fianna was first applied to the to the throne was crowned, and thus assured great military organisation founded in the 3rd that none but the legitimate successor could century by the celebrated Fionn Mac Cumhaill attain to the Kingship. himself, and has been used for more than When the sons of Earc, having established seventeen hundred years as a synonym for the an Irish colony in Scotland, found themselves Gael Militant. At various periods also it has been sufficiently strong to assert their rights to the used to designate the advocates and defenders of sovereignty of that country, Feargus, the first of Ireland’s rights and liberties. The Fianna were Kings thus selected, applied to his brother, who revered and honoured almost as gods by the was then Ard Rí of Ireland, for a loan of the hero-worshipping Gael, and were looked upon Lia Fáil so that the ceremony of the coronation by him as the embodiment of all that was brave, might be performed with all the religious noble and generous. The poets and bards of the solemnity and with all the rites and pomp with Gael have sung their praises in countless songs; which such ceremonies had been, for thousands the great bulk of our national literature is of years, performed by his ancestors. founded on the exploits of the heroes and chiefs The Lia Fáil was thus transported to of the Fianna, and their names are for ever Scotland, and there it remained, in the enshrined in the topography of the country. monastery of Scone until the reign of Edward I Aspirants for its ranks were obliged to undergo of England. This monarch, in one of his searching tests as to their mental as well as their incursions into the territory of his northern physical qualifications. Fionn, Ossian, Oscar, neighbours, had the Lia Fáil seized and carried Diarmuid and many other celebrated leaders of the organisation were poets as well as warriors. off to England. It is believed by many excellent This old semi-military organisation was John authorities that the large stone in the O’Mahony’s ideal for an , and Padraig coronation chair at Westminster was the Pearse dreamed of an Irish Army combining, like original Lia Fáil. From this Lia Fáil Ireland the Fianna of old, Gaelic culture with all the received one of its ancient names, Inis Fáil. This is the origin of the well-known 'Innisfail' the Gaelic reverence for magnanimous courage, ■ justice and honour. anglicised from popularised by Moore.

AN COSANTÓIR February 2011 27 00-An Cos-FEB-11 (p28-36) 26/02/2011 14:14 Page 28

Running on CISM WORLD Reserve SPORT

s most participants in the somebody gave me 100 euros...’ MARATHON Dublin City Marathon last ‘The night before I couldn’t MARATHON AOctober were just glad to sleep. I kept checking my gear, finish the gruelling 26 miles, one making sure it fit’, Jonathan reservist, Cpl Jonathan Carroll continued. During the marathon (Sp Coy 65 Res Inf Bn), in full he remembers, ‘All during the combat equipment, completed day, people would pass you, say CHAMPIONSHIPS the course for charity and also hello, or good luck or in a few CHAMPIONSHIPS enter the history books as the cases, look you up and down first member of his unit to do and ask if you were crazy? so. Actually that happened a lot, he sport of marathon running has The course itself was daunting and it is antiquities to finish in a packed The determined Carroll, 23, a though, if at any point you felt seen a resurgence in recent years with recognised as one of the toughest Panathanaikon Stadium, the location of the camera salesman from County like you wanted to give up Tthe Dublin City Marathon in October marathons in the world. The fastest course first modern Olympics. Kildare, joined the RDF in someone, they could be 30 2010 seeing its largest ever turnout. The time (2:10:55) was recorded at the 2004 The race was boosted by the presence of September 2005 for ‘a taste of years older or a little heavy set origin of the marathon goes back to the Olympics by Italian Stefano Baldini, just the CISM competition, with military army life’. After five years of would come up to you, look at battle of Marathon in 490 BC between the seven minutes slower than the world record. athletes dominating the elite mens and military training, this reservist you and say well if that guy with Athenians and the Persians. Legend has it Starting at the town of Marathon along the ladies events. set himself another challenge, all that gear can do it so can I. that, following the battle, a soldier called Greek coast, the route loops around the Overall we were positioned 11th out of 19 after seeing a member of the And you’d look at them and Phelippedides ran from Marathon to tomb of the Athenians killed at Marathon teams on the day. Sgmn Merritt finished in PDF run the marathon the year think if they can keep going I Athens, just over 26 miles (42k) to bring before starting to climb towards Athens 2:36:19, Pte McKeigue finished in a personal before in combat gear, he can too. We all motivated each news of the victory. with uphill sections at 12, 21 and 32k. best of 2:40:38 and Pte Walsh finished in thought, ‘I can do that.’ other, and that was a great help Twelve runners competed in the However, while the race does not 2:43:33. Despite suffering from IT band In July 2010, Jonathan on the day.’ marathon race in the first modern olympic produce fast times, it more than makes up problems, Sgt Devlin finished in 3:22:33. started his arduous training ‘It was coming up on about in Athens in 1896. However, it wasn’t until for it in atmosphere and historical This placing, coupled with the 5th place regime with daily trips to the the 20 mile mark, and this one the 1908 London Olympics that this arduous significance. The finish must rank as one of finish by another Defence Forces running gym, swims, runs, twice weekly guy on a bike just screamed by, long-distance race captured the world’s the most spectacular of any marathon, as team at the CISM 20k Regional event in route marches through the big thumbs up and I just gave imagination. The marathon’s distance was runners pass through the centre of Athens, Paris in October, underlines the strength in Phoenix Park in full kit coupled him the thumbs back. About 10 then fixed at 26 miles, 385 yards, the extra past the Acropolis and other Greek depth of our military long distance runners. with a strict, healthy diet. minutes later he came back and yards being needed so that the race could But it was the support of gave me a Snickers bar that finish in front of the royal box. In that race, family, friends, sponsors and was just the best chocolate bar the leader, Pietre of Italy, was assisted fellow reservists, that made a I’ve ever had.’ across the finishing line by officials. He was strong-minded Cpl Carroll able The passionate NCO subsequently disqualified for his actions to raise awareness about describes crossing the finish as and Irish-American Johnny Hayes took the Huntington’s Disease and give an emotional moment, with his gold medal. At the 2004 Olympics, again in a €5,100 donation to the charity. family and close friends Athens, the race was run along the classic Sponsorship seemed to cheering him on. ‘I couldn’t Marathon to Athens route. come from everywhere with believe I had actually done it, Thus, it was with some pride that a €1,000 raised by Support after months of preparation it Defence Forces team headed to Athens last Company alone. ‘It was just was an amazing feeling October to take part in the 2010 CISM World amazing,’ Jonathan noted. ‘You crossing the finish line.’ Marathon Championships. Since the hear everybody going on about Cpl Jonathan Carroll has marathon race was decoupled from the the recession and giving out shown Ireland that the Reserve CISM Track and Field Championships in about not having money. And its Defence Forces are still here, 2004, this was only the third occasion that true. People just don’t have although some people can’t tell our marathon athletes have participated. money. But the amount of the difference. They are fit and 2010 was also the 2,500th anniversary of the support I got. People were capable of partaking in military original run by Philippedes. giving me 10, 20, 50 Euros, training and even marathons. Our team included Sgmn Colin Merritt Cpl Jonathan Carroll does it the hard way. (1 Fd CIS Coy), Ptes Peter Walsh and Steven McKeigue (both 6 Inf Bn) and Sgt John Devlin (HQ 4 W Bde RDF). Sgmn DF Half Marathon SportzNet.ie Colin Merritt is one of Ireland’s leading This popular race will take place on March 30th through the Inagh For anyone interested in sport, a recently launched social network distance runners nationally, having been Valley, Co Galway. The entry fee is €25 and all competitors will website (sportznet.ie) might be an ideal medium for them to keep placed second in the 2010 Cork Marathon receive a goodie bag, t-shirt, medal and be in with a chance to win in touch with like-minded athletes. The site is the brainchild of and Cork to Cobh races on several a few spot prizes. Sgmn Anthony Power (1 Fd CIS Coy) and he hopes it will be used occasions. Colin competed in the 2006 Race prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, 3rd in the Senior Men, by athletes as a place to share experiences and for clubs to place CISM World Marathon and in several CISM Over 40s, Over 45s, female and veteran categories. Prizes also for races notices, free of charge. Cross Country events. For the rest, though the Over 50s (1st and 2nd) , Over 55s (1st) and for the first male Also, the new site will have a forum on sourcing proper all seasoned distance runners, it was their and female team of four across the line. Walkers are welcomed and information on training and nutrition. The site is 100% free for first time to represent the Defence Forces Colin Merritt, Steven McKeigune and Peter Walsh after completing the CISM World Marathon in for more information and entry forms contact: Sgts John Devlin members, clubs and national sporting bodies, and if you would like at a world championships. Greece. (ext 1745) or Terry Grogan (ext 1763). to know more, simply log onto: sportznet.ie

28 AN COSANTÓIR February 2011 AN COSANTÓIR February 2011 29 00-An Cos-FEB-11 (p28-36) 26/02/2011 14:14 Page 30

This month we feature a number of There will be ’Blood’ products that might just make your life a bit more comfortable when out on the ground. Thanks to The Great Outdoors for supplying Rugby in the 3 Infantry Battalion all the products for review.

GADGETS tarting back in April 2010 and after growing interest in the Hooker Regan GREAT OUTDOORS Chatham Street, Dublin 2 01 6794293 Sseven-a-side rugby tournament in the Curragh Camp, the 3 Inf Bn, based in Discount for Defence Force Members Stephens Bks, Kilkenny put together two The recent cold snaps have exposed the fact that many Irish people are completely unprepared for what Mother Nature formidable rugby teams (20 all ranks) for can throw at them. With three consecutive winters with good dumps of snow and sub zero temperatures, maybe it’s competition. now time to stock up on some proper winter gear. As the old Scandinavian saying goes ‘There is no such thing as bad On April 29th 2010, ‘The Bloods’ (3 Inf Bn weather, just bad clothing.’ Here we take a look at some serious winter gear for when the mercury drops. legendary name) in their blood red jerseys Mountain Equipment to minus 40 degrees. These are bona fide took to the field against two teams from Annapurna Down Jacket Canadian style winter boots, but Sorel January Competition Kilkenny RFC. The battalion’s development Price: €299.90 Caribou Wool Snow Boots are just as at This month we have a Ronhill MP3 XV team defeated the Kilkenny RFC XV The feeling of zipping up a home in the Phoenix Park as they are in Armband to give away, kindly sponsored team, though it was a different matter good down jacket on a really British Columbia. by The Great Outdoors Store. To be in against the local hardened rugby veterans. cold crisp dry day is the The Bloods led at half time, thanks to a try feeling of pure comfort. Traction Aids with a chance to win this excellent piece from Pte Paul Murphy, with a second try The insulating quality of Price: €24.95 of kit, simply answer the following scored by Pte Brian Devine, but Kilkenny down is second to none If there is one product questions which all relate to this month’s RFC ran out winners 21-14. and combining it with a this winter that has magazine The next serious outing saw the wind proof outer fabric captured the attention battalion take on Waterford City RFC and it means that you will be of the Irish general public, then Traction was also a chance to ‘blood’ a number of The ‘Bloods’ – 3 Inf Bn, Stephens Bks, Kilkenny did battle against Kilkenny RFC. well equipped to handle Aids is it. It seems like the now infamous 1. How many years is An Cosantóir in new players. However, Waterford proved too the coldest of cold spells. guy slipping on the ice from RTÉ News existence? strong, though Cpl Brian Farrell did score a The Mountain last winter touched upon some deep fear January 11th. Up for grabs was the scoreboard showed 24-15 in their favour. 2. Can you name the women who helped try. Equipment Annapurna Jacket is a legend within Irish people of going head over Inaugural Campion Cup, named in honoured At the post-match reception in Stephens to set up the in the The new year got of to a great start with among down jackets and has been in heels. The good news is that these of Mr Ray Campion, ex-president of the Bks, the Campion Cup was presented to a hard game against the Garda RFC on existence in one form or another for the products work great, ensuring fantastic 1920s? Garda RFC. Keen to see action, a squad of Garda Willie Fallon by Mr Ray Campion and past 40 years. Over that time it has grip on icy pavements. They come in lots 3. In Def Tech, how many classes (types) up to 30 players paraded for the pre-match Lt Col Philip Brennan (OC 3 Inf Bn). Though evolved, embracing new technologies as of different styles and are easy to attach of the Distinguished Service Medal are training sessions in the cold and wet winter not the victors on this occasion, the they become available and refining itself to most types of footwear. Having a pair or there? weather. The game was played on Friday battalion’s rugby team is back on the field, into what is widely regarded as one of the two of these tucked away for when the afternoon in Kilkenny, amongst a large and between its operational taskings, in best jackets available for expeditions and freeze hits is a no-brainer. Competition closing date is February 24th. slightly partisan crowd. The battalion went preparation for their next competitive exploration. Every feature of the jacket into the second half in the lead, thanks to a match against Carrick-on-Suir RFC in has been tested to the extreme from the Mountain Equipment Send all entries with your name and try from Capt Kieran Kennedy. However, in March. detachable hood to the internal neck and Fitzroy Mitts address to: the second half, the guards, eager to secure Over the past ten months, some 32 zip baffles to the fleece lined pockets, all Price: €110.00 a win away from home, scored two tries. In battalion personnel have togged out and January Competition ensuring the wearer warmth and comfort Mitts, as opposed to the more the closing minutes and with the visitors in taken to the field. None are currently An Cosantóir, in arctic or high altitude conditions...or popular five finger variety of the lead, The Bloods fought back. Pte James playing with other clubs and most never DFHQ, here in Ireland recently. handwear, are much warmer. Moriarty managed to carry a number of played rugby before. Equally important is It’s the equivalent of having Ceannt Bks, DFTC, the support given by the current battalion Gardai with him across the line to score a Sorel Caribou four people all huddled up Curragh Camp, commander, Lt Col Brennan and his second try. When the final whistle blew Wool Snow Boots together keeping each other Co Kildare victory this time went to the guards as the predecessor, Lt Col Liam O’Carroll. Price: €149.90 warm rather than trying to do Or email to: [email protected] Keeping your feet warm and the job on your own. The dry is absolutely essential Fitzroy Mitts are the king of mitts, a virtual October’s Winner DF Basketball in cold weather. Wet feet layering system for your hands combining spell misery for any outdoor a insulating Primaloft/Drilite outer layer The answers to the October competition activity, but combine that that is wind proof and water resistant, a were: Championships with sub zero temperatures highly insulating fibre pile inner layer and 1. Lt Gen Seán McCann and it is pure hell. Sorel a next to the skin stretch fleece liner. The 2. Nordic Battle Group ilitary basketball teams from all over the Defence Snow Boots are designed layering system means that you can take 3. 5th Infantry Battalion Forces gathered in Aiken Bks, for two days for serious cold weather and this, their out or add layers depending on the Mof sweat and tears on the court in early February for Caribou model, is hardcore. It features a conditions, so you get a full modular mitt this year’s championships. With warm up games in the fully waterproof leather and rubber outer that will take you from an autumn walk in Congratulation to: David Lee from barrack’s new gymnasium, the respective male and female combined with a removable felted wool the park with the fleece liner to the South Fethard, Co. Tipperary. A pair of North teams played in a series of qualifying games. Apart from liner that is good in temperatures down Pole if you go for the full three layers.■ Face E-Tip Gloves are on their way to you. the obvious matter of winning for personal and unit pride, the level of play by all competitors was of a very high standard. Congratulations to the Air Corps’ Mens and the DFTC Womens’ Team, who took home the silverware from this year’s tournament. Photos by Fr Bernard McCay-Morrissey CF.

Left: The victorious DFTC Women’s Team Right: The Western Brigade take a shot at the Southern Brigade’s net.

30 AN COSANTÓIR February 2011 AN COSANTÓIR February 2011 31 00-An Cos-FEB-11 (p28-36) 26/02/2011 14:15 Page 32

This month we review three books from the very popular Osprey Publishing series, which cover a wide variety of historical and military-related subjects. N O T I C E B O A R D All are available in most bookshops and from: www.ospreypublishing.com.

This page is designed to give our readers an easy-to-follow list of important numbers, addresses and websites. Readers Dambusters Kohima 1944 can also submit notices that may be of interest to others. Please keep notices to the point, include your contact details and send by email to: [email protected] or by post to: Operation Chastise 1943 The Battle that saved Type: Raid 16 Editor An Cosantóir, DFHQ, Block 5, Ceannt Bks, DFTC, Curragh Camp, Co. Kildare, Ireland. India Author: Douglas Dildy Type: Campaign-229 ■ Important Contacts 2 Eastern Brigade Speaker: Prof Keith Jeffrey. Please note ISBN: 978-1-84603-934-8 Author: Robert Lynam BOOK REVIEWS Staffcare 1800 409 388 Cathal Brugha Bks 01 8046000 this talk will be held in Renehan Hall at Price: €13.90 www.alone.ie 01 6791032 Aiken Bks 042 9332295 7.15pm). Illustrated by: Peter Dennis www.samaritans.org 1850 609 090 01 8412102 April 12th – Modern counter-insurgency In May 1943 a specially established ISBN: 978-1-84603-939-3 www.citizeninformation.ie Kilbride Camp 01 4582169 theory and the Irish War of Independence. RAF squadron made its permanent Price: €17.40 www.teenline.ie 1800 833 634 McKee Bks 01 8046000 Speaker: Dr William Sheehan. imprint on military aviation history In March 1944 the Japanese Army www.aware.ie 1890 303 302 Military Archives 01 8046457 May 3rd – Planning a rural and urban DF Benevolent Fund 01 8046185 by flying a high-risk, low-level launched Operation U-Go, an attack St Bricin’s Hospital 01 8042000 counter-insurgency campaign: Britain’s midnight attack against www.cafnbo.com 01 6711841 1 Southern Brigade double defeat in Aden and the on Assam in India intended to www.caoga-defenceforces.com 01 8042785 hydroelectric dams in the Ruhr Ballymullen Bks 066 7121871 Protectorates, 1951-67. Speaker: Dr inspire a rising against British rule. www.ansaccu.ie 01 8554489 Valley that were considered vital to Collins Bks 021 4514000 Spencer Mawby. The Japanese aimed to break www.mabs.ie 1890 283438 the German armaments industry. www.odf.ie 01 6633222 Kickham Bks 054 21222 through the British lines, capturing Kilworth Camp 025 24011 ■ Request for Photographs Numerically a tiny part of Air supplies on the way, and pour down www.oneconnect.ie 01 4850600 Chief Marshal Sir Arthur Harris’ www.inuva.com 01 6791262 McCann Bks 0504 31503 A group of military historians based in the Brahmaputra Valley into India. www.iarco.info/ Sarsfield Bks 061 314233 Sarsfield Bks, Limerick City are working four-month-long ‘Battle of the This plan faltered on the www.irishsoldiers.com 01 6777853 Stephens Bks 056 21174 on a pictorial history of the FCÁ (1941 to Ruhr’, this one raid had an impact stubborn defence of Kohima, which www.republic-of- 4 Western Brigade 2005), called The FCÁ Remembered, due totally out of proportion to the small came to be known as the ‘Stalingrad Custume Bks 09064 21000 for publication later this year. They are ireland.britishlegion.org.uk 01 6713044 number of aircraft involved. of the East’. www.raco.ie 01 8042517 Carna Camp 09064 89133 looking for photographs from all reserve Its success highlighted the Nimitz-Class www.pdforra.ie 1800 200 250 Bks 094 21275 units as well as privately held From 3 to 16 April the Japanese synergy of science and technology, Aircraft Carriers attempted to capture Kohima Ridge. www.rdfra.ie 045 445204 Columb Bks 044 48391 photographs from individuals who served weapons development and Type: New Vanguard-174 072 41488 As the small garrison held out in the FCÁ. All photographs submitted Author: Brad Elward ■ Medal Mounting USAC 091 751001 will be considered for publication. Also, production, mission planning and against fierce and repeatedly VOC Medal Mounting Service. Defence Forces Training Centre all the photographs (or copies of) will be practice, and unflinching courage in Illustrated by: Paul Wright desperate attempts by the Japanese Competitive prices. Contact Vinny at: Curragh Camp 045 445000 retained by Military Archives for future the execution of a highly dangerous ISBN: 978-1-84603-759-7 € 31st Division to destroy them, so the 01-8475617 Coolmoney Camp 045 404626 research purposes. If you are sending a bombing raid. Price: 11.60 British 2nd Division fought to break Range Service 045 404653 photograph, please attach a note with it Furthermore, it established a The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier is through and relieve them. ■ ANSAC Credit Union Waterford Bks 051 374425 outlining as much detail as possible legend that endures today and a the ultimate symbol of the United Then for over two months British January Draw Wexford Bks 053 22573 (date, location and names) as well as a legacy that lives on in the traditions € States superpower status. and Indian troops counterattacked 1st Prize 10,000 Michael Kelly, Dublin 12 Air Corps return address. Photographs should be and operations of the RAF’s 617 € A true behemoth, it is an to drive the Japanese from the 2nd Prize 5,000 Paul O’Connell, Casement Aerodrome 01 4037689 sent by email to: Squadron. Cork City Nav al Service [email protected] or by post unsurpassed weapons platform that positions they had already captured. 3rd Prize €2,500 Peter Buckley, Co Kildare Naval Base 021 4864700 to: The FCÁ Remembered. Sgt Michael overshadows all of its nearest rivals. The battle ended on 22 June 4th Prize €1,500 Michael Coughlan, Deegan, 31 Res MP Coy, Sarsfield Bks, A history of the world’s largest when British and Indian troops from Cork City ■ Upcoming Lecture Series Limerick City. aircraft carriers, with runways over Kohima and Imphal met at Milestone € 500 Winners The Military History Society of Ireland 300 metres long, this book looks at 109, thus ending the siege.■ Paul Hand, Co Dublin Daniel O’Flynn, over the coming months will host a ■ AerArann Half Marathon the development of nuclear- Cork City James O'Brien, Dublin 7 number of lectures in Griffith College, on Inis Mor powered Nimitz-class aircraft Patrick Courtney, Dublin 22 South Circular Road, Dublin 8. Non- This race will take place from April 8th- carriers from 1975 when the USS €100 Winners members are welcomed and all lectures 10th on Inis Mor. Runners (or walkers) are Patrick Doherty, Co Donegal Graham start at 8pm. expected to raise €650 for the Temple Nimitz, the lead ship of the class, McSheffrey, Derry City Bernard McElroy, 2011 Lectures Street Children’s University Hospital and was commissioned, to the Dublin 24 Patrick O'Regan, Co Wexford March 11th – Secret intelligence and the to cover their return flights from present day. John Donnelly, Co Longford Joe Power, in two World Wars. Airport to Inis Mor, All of the class are still Co Cork Marie Gorman, Co Sligo Hugh Speaker: Prof Jeffery accommodation and food for the operational and the tenth and Murray, Co Dublin Joseph Gilmore, Co April 8th – Battle, blitz, blockade and the weekend. Sponsor cards and posters last of the class, the USS Wicklow Darren Larkin, Co Derry Cormac weather forecast: the Luftwaffe and neutral are available by contacting Angi at: George H.W. Bush, was Young, Co Offaly Kevin Miller, Co Kildare Ireland 1940-45. Speaker: Dr McCarthy 01-8784344 or email at: commissioned in 2009. Michael Rid, Co Kerry Garrett Hall,Co April 29th – The organisation and structure [email protected]. Here, Brad Elward provides a Kildare Francis Doheny, Co Kildare of the IRA 1921. Speaker: Mr Brace. detailed overview of the The next draw will take place on NUI Maynooth are also hosting a seminar ■ Curragh Military Museum February 24th. on war and security studies with a series Opening Times: Monday to Wednesday design and development, of public talks. Admission is free and all 10am to 1pm and 3 to 5pm; Thursday 2 to highlighting their unique ■ DF Contacts are welcome. 8pm; Sundays 12.30 to 3.30pm; Closed features, from jet blasts Defence Forces Headquarters The talks will take place in JHL7, John Friday and Saturday. For all queries, deflectors to cutting-edge DFHQ/DOD 01 8042000 or 045 492000 Hume Building, North Campus, NUI contact: 045-445342 or email: radar systems, and a www.military.ie or www.defence.ie Maynooth from 6.30 to 8pm. curraghmilitarymuseum history of the Nimitz class Finance Branch DoD 091 743700 March 10th – The history of MI6, 1909-49. @defenceforces.ie. in service, from deployment in the Gulf during Operation Desert Storm, through to the enforcement of the no-fly zone over Bosnia. REVIEWS

32 AN COSANTÓIR February 2011 AN COSANTÓIR February 2011 33 00-An Cos-FEB-11 (p28-36) 26/02/2011 14:15 Page 34

Rank: Private Name: Jonathan Grey Job: Infantryman Unit: Support Company, 27th Infantry Battalion

am 25 years old and I joined the army three-and-a-half followed by live-fire shooting in the , years ago. I’m not long home after serving with the Wicklow, and culminating in assault exercises on I 102 Infantry Battalion in Chad. Bere Island, off the Cork coast. Most people would be aware of what we do as Ceremonial duties are part and parcel of soldiers when we are on operations on-the-ground battalion life and you can often find yourself on or overseas, but wouldn’t know what we do parade on anything from GOC’s inspection, throughout the year back in barracks. to a ministerial-, or even a presidential As a unit close to the border we still carry guard-of-honour in Áras an Uachtaráin. out border familiarisation patrols, though These require everyone on parade to be this is not one of our primary roles today. well turned out in every respect, with When the full battalion is in barracks clean, pressed Number One Service the companies operate in cycles of Dress uniform, medals, and white training one week and duties the gloves, belt and rifle sling. Highly next. polished boots, a clean shave and Training week can involve a neat haircut are also required. anything from familiarisation with Both arms- and foot-drill are the .5 HMG to revision of infantry practiced during rehearsals before tactics. We carry out our regular the day. We are all aware that for a regimental duties either here in VIP visiting the barracks or a Aiken Barracks or at brigade foreign ambassador presenting their level. We also conduct aid-to-the- credentials to the president, a well civil-power duties, such as cash-, turned-out parade and good drill will prisoner- and EOD escorts, and we leave a lasting impression of how also perform duties in Portlaoise Ireland has a well-trained and highly- Prison. disciplined Defence Forces. It is equally Aid-to-the-civil-authority tasks also important for us in the battalion to maintain come in from time to time. For our high standards of dress and drill, and example, during the heavy snow and have pride in our unit.■ freezing weather last December, that left many people around Dundalk isolated, especially the elderly, we had a platoon on stand-by for two weeks ready to assist the local authorities. We helped the local town council in gritting footpaths and roads. We also assisted the local schools and hospitals in clearing the snow so they could get staff, students, and patients in and out. Our drivers also helped nurses and other essential personnel to get in and out of work and brought them to see patients that were cut off and needing assistance. Apart from that, the battalion gets regular warning orders from brigade headquarters in Dublin to provide troops for exercises and ceremonial duties. For example, last October we took part in a brigade exercise, during which we conducted tactical training in the Cooley Mountains,

a life less ordinary

34 AN COSANTÓIR February 2011