Strong Reserve Defence Force based in Cavan

The Reserve Defence Forces (RDF) play an important role in supporting the regular army in this country and there is almost a full company of 120 men and women in the force in Cavan. The percentage of women joining the Reserve in Cavan is very high at close to 30%. Brigadeer General, Gerry Hegarty, GOC of the 4th Western Brigade who was visiting the 4th Company, 56th Batallion at Dun Ui Neil Barracks in Cavan last Wednesday, was most impressed with the dedication and commitment of the RDF volunteers in Cavan. While there is a moratorium on recruitment at present, there is renewed hope that new recruits will be taken in later this year and certainly next year. While funding for the Defence Forces has been cut back, they are striving ahead within these constraints. Brig. Gen. Hegarty told The Anglo-Celt that he wish to thank all the RDF volunteers for the all their committed efforts for very little reward. He said that young soldiers live for overseas service and they love trips to places like Chad and formerly the Lebanon. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the first Irish troops going on UN duty to the Congo. He pointed out that the Western Brigade consists of counties: Cavan, Donegal, Westmeath, Offaly and Longford. Brig. Gen. Hegarty said it is by far the largest brigade area in the country. 4th Company is a very active unit, according to Brig. Gen. Hegarty, and he revealed that it was important for him to see the units in training and have a meeting with their officers and to discuss their training objectives for the year. The GOC said that the strength of the Defence Forces is measured by the strength of the Reserve. "The reserves are a much smaller group than they used to be in former years but they are much more focused now. We are much more interested in people who are willing to turn up for training nights. They train a couple of nights a week, plus one full week during the year," he said. People from a diverse range of professions and careers join the Reserve, and in the 4th Company, 56 Batallion in Cavan they range from factory workers, farmers, engineers, teachers, dental nurses, machine operators, taxi drivers, motor mechanics, blocklayers, painters and decorators, tillers, electricians, welders, fitters, local authority workers and HSE employees. Young people of around 17 years of age who join up are mainly students and he revealed that young people love coming into the army and putting on the uniform, training how to fire a weapon. It is also interesting to note that they like the drill and the discipline. Brig. Gen. Hegarty quipped that they know the difference between a General and a Sergeant and they know how to march and shoot. They try out the RDF to ascertain if they would like a full-time career in the army. When there is a large intake of people into the permanent Defence Forces, a high percentage comes from the RDF. The training in the RDF stands them in good sted when they become regulars in the Defence Forces.