Monksland's Pte Jamie Tymon with his family, Duane Tymon, Luke Tymon, Clarise Tymon, PJ Tymon, and girlfriend Aoife Molloy at the passing out parade of the 34th 2-3 star platoon at Custume Barracks, Athlone. Photos: Paul Molloy.

Proud day as centenary recruits become fully-trained soldiers

Adrian Cusack

Published: Fri 22 Jul 2022, 6:45 PM

Last updated: Fri 22 Jul 2022, 6:52 PM

In the Irish Defence Forces' centenary year, 27 recent recruits completed "an important rite of passage" by passing out as fully-trained 3-Star soldiers during a ceremony in Athlone's Custume Barracks on Friday, July 15.

With family and friends in attendance, amid very pleasant weather conditions, this was a proud and memorable day for the platoon.

The recruits started their training in January, and went on to complete 15 weeks of recruit training, followed by a 10-week 3-Star training course.

The majority of the training took place in Custume Barracks, with the new soldiers coming from various parts of Ireland, as well as from Poland, Scotland, Moldova, Finland and England.

At the ceremony, the newly qualified soldiers were told that Friday marked "the end of your journey as a platoon, and the beginning of your career in the Defence Forces."

Col Pat White, Executive Officer, 2 Brigade, congratulated the platoon "on completing successfully this first significant step in your military career as you pass out as fully-qualified 3-Star soldiers of Óglaigh na hÉireann."

Col White thanked the soldiers' family and friends for supporting them on their journey, "especially during Covid times."

Colonel White, Executive Officer, 2 Brigade, with Platoon Commander Lieutenant O’Byrne inspecting the 34th 2-3 star platoon at Custume Barracks.

He said all that remained was for him to wish each new soldier every success in their military career. "You have taken the first step. Where you go from here largely depends on your efforts from here on in," he said.

One of the special honours handed out among the platoon was an award for best exemplifying the Defence Forces' values of respect, loyalty, selflessness, physical courage, moral courage and integrity.

This award went to Pte Jamie Tymon, a 20-year-old from Monksland, Athlone. Pte Tymon's family in attendance included his father, PJ, siblings Duane, Luke and Clarise, and his girlfriend, Aoife Molloy.

A past pupil of Coláiste Chiaráin, Pte Tymon said he didn't come from a military background.

"I am the first in the family to go into the Defence Forces. I finished school in 2019, worked for a year, and then Covid hit," he said.

"I thought about it and decided to apply. You see the films, Jarhead and all of that, and it kind of gets you going for military life."

Pte Jamie Tymon pictured at Custume Barracks.

He said his experience in the Defence Forces so far had been very positive.

"I've loved every minute of it. Obviously it can be hard at times, but overall it's a great experience. You get to do things you'd never get to do anywhere else, so it's a great opportunity," he said.

Pte Tymon told the Westmeath Independent he was surprised and delighted to receive the Defence Forces values award at the ceremony on Friday and was looking forward to serving overseas in the future.

Another of the new recruits was Pte Max Molloy, from Scotland, who moved to Athlone to join the Defence Forces. A number of his relatives and ancestors served in the military here, and Max was joined at the ceremony by relatives including his proud parents, Cora and Sean, and his grandfather, John.

Pte Max Molloy with his parents, Janice and Sean Molloy, pictured after the passing out parade of the 34th 2-3 star platoon at Custume Barracks.

Nineteen year-old Private Rachel Lawless, from Portarlington, Offaly, said drills involving running with weights were the toughest part of the training process.

"I'm not very good at running with weight. But you start off slow and you gradually build up to it. They won't throw you into the deep end straight away, they make sure you're well able before you do anything out of the ordinary," she said.

Pte Lawless has been boxing from a young age. She said she was hoping to make progress in the sport while in the Defence Forces, with her ultimate goal being to represent Ireland at the Olympics.

Pte Rachel Lawless (centre) at the passing out parade of the 34th 2-3 star platoon at Custume Barracks.

"The main reason why I joined the Army was to try to (develop) my career in boxing," she explained.

"My Dad used to box and he got me into it. I've been going training with him since I was young. Knowing that the Army can make boxing one of my main priorities… I couldn't wait to join as soon as I heard that.

"The thing I've always wanted to do since I was younger is to go to the Olympics and represent Ireland. That's my goal now, to go back into training, focus on that, focus on my (Army) duties, and try to get to the 2024 Olympics."

In attendance at the ceremony on Friday were Pte Lawless' parents, Ray and Emer, and her brothers, Sean and Sam.