Soldiers urged to "uphold values" of Defence Forces at local ceremony

A sense of accomplishment was the overriding feeling in Custume Barracks Athlone on Thursday morning as a 28-strong 3 Star Private platoon celebrated the completion of an intensive 20-week training course for the 62nd Potential Non-Commissioned Officers (PNCOs) with a passing-out ceremony attended by family members and friends

Due to the inclement weather conditions, the ceremony took place indoors, but the falling rain did little to dampen the spirit of the soldiers who, following the completion of their intensive course, have achieved the rank of Corporal and are now deemed to be junior leaders in the Defence Forces.

The new Corporals, two of whom come from Athlone, Pte Ethan Friel and Pte Keith Byrne, were under the guidance of 2 Brigade Training Centre Officer Commanding Commandant William Bastic and 2 Brigade Training Centre 2nd in Command Captain Tara Khan, who served as chief instructor for the course.

The soldiers' graduation to the rank of Corporal was marked with the presentation of a scroll of recognition to each by Brigadier General Stephen Ryan.

In his address, the Brigadier General said the soldiers "represented the best in all that is good and positive about the Defence Forces and our country".

"This is a momentous day for you and the members of the Athlone-based training depot who oversaw this 20-week course. You are qualified as Corporals and your careers as junior leaders in the Defence Forces as officially started," Brigadier General Ryan said.

The Brigadier General highlighted the diversity within the training group, many of whom were from different units in the Defence Forces.

"The majority of you will return to infantry units, but there also soldiers on this course who are attached to ordnance, medical and artillery sections of our Defence Forces. It is great to see the broad depth and breadth of the Defence Forces represented by this group," the Brigadier General added.

Brigadier General Ryan commended the soldiers for completing the "long and arduous" course, "proving to yourselves" and "proving to your instructors" that they were worthy of the rank of Corporal.

As the soldiers continue to progress their careers in the Defence Forces, the Brigadier General said it was important to remember the Defence Forces values of "physical and moral courage, loyalty, loyalty to the State, loyalty to the Defence Forces, loyalty to your unit and comrades, selflessness and integrity".

"You are all now junior leaders and I hope that this is the start of a long and enjoyable career in the NCO rank. In your role, you must set an example for the junior soldiers who you will be training in the future," the Brigadier General stated.

Commandant Willam Bastic, Officer Commanding, 2 Brigade Training Centre, called on the newly ranked Corporals to "develop and nurture" the leadership skills learned during their training course.

"Leadership is not only displayed on the ground, in tactical situations, but in the way you carry yourself when nobody is watching," the Commandant said.

Reinforcing this theme, the Commandant said the organisation relies on the "highest standards of leadership at every level".

"As you start on your journey as an NCO, as junior leaders it is incumbent on you to continue to promote the Defence Forces values," Commandant Bastic said.

2 Brigade Training Centre 2nd in Command Captain Tara Khan acted as chief instructor "planning and organising" all military exercises and drills for the participating soldiers.

"The PNCO course is the main and longest course which we conduct in the Brigade Training Centre. I have overall guidance, governance and oversight of the course, overseeing the delegation of tasks amongst instructors, supervising instruction and planning and risk assessing exercises," Captain Khan said.

The chief instructor said the ultimate aim of the course is "to create and develop the next generation of junior leader and instructors in the Defence Forces".

"Together with my instructors, who are highly knowledgably and professional, we strive to reach the highest of standards in training in order achieve this goal," the Captain stated.Captain Khan has overseen the graduation of 100 soldiers to the rank of Corporal to date and said there is a great "sense of fulfillment" in her role "as you get to see the progression of a Private soldier, taking the next step in their Defence Forces career and becoming a NCO".