In this weeks episode we chat to Lieutenant Commander's Martin Brett, Mike Brunicardi and Jamie Cotter about their experiences conducting Maritime Interdiction Operations, and the process from genesis of an operation to gathering intelligence to actually boarding a civilian vessel in search of illegal arms, narcotics, people smuggling or other illegal acts.

Lieutenant Commander Brett is currently serving as 2ic of Shore Operations at Haulbowline Naval Base, Lieutenant Commander Brunicardi is currently Captain of the Irish Naval Vessel LÉ James Joyce, and Lieutenant Commander Cotter is currently executive officer on board the Irish Naval Vessel LÉ Eithne.

The Irish Defence Forces Podcast aims to provide interesting content on all aspects of the Irish military. It is a production of the Defence Forces Public Relations Branch.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we speak to Commandant Sue Ramsbottom, Commandant Dermot Earley and Sergeant Gemma O'Connor, who have all balanced successful careers in the military with elite Gaelic Games careers. They speak about motivation, resilience, and how what they have learned in the military has translated to their sporting careers and vice-versa.

Due to some technical difficulties and circumstances surrounding recording of this episode some of the sound is less than optimal. We have done our best with it but apologise in advance for any fuzziness.

The Irish Defence Forces Podcast aims to provide interesting content on all aspects of the Irish military. It is a production of the Defence Forces Public Relations Branch.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we speak to Captain Barry Jones of the Military Training and Survival School, based at Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel.

Barry has been a pioneer in formalising Survival, Escape and Evasion, Resistance to Interrogation and Extraction (SERE) training in the Irish Defence Forces. He covers tactics, techniques and procedures on the topic, and how the Defence Forces trains personnel to survive in hostile environments, evade capture, resist interrogation, and extract.

The Irish Defence Forces Podcast aims to provide interesting content on all aspects of the Irish military. It is a production of the Defence Forces Public Relations Branch.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we speak to an Ordnance Officer about the role of the Ordnance Corps within the Defence Forces, including EOD (bomb disposal), working on aide-to-the-civil-power operations with An Garda Síochana, procurement and maintenance of equipment and weapons for the Defence Forces and ammunition management.

Due to the sensitive nature of the operations conducted by the Ordnance Corps of the Irish Defence Forces we do not identify the interviewee by name or give personal details about them.

The Irish Defence Forces Podcast aims to provide interesting content on all aspects of the Irish military. It is a production of the Defence Forces Public Relations Branch.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we speak with Leading Seaman Katie O'Leary about what recruit training in the Naval Service is like, up skilling to become and Able Seaman, and the path to becoming an NCO.

L/S O'Leary joined the Naval Service in 2007 and has trained numerous recruit platoons in the Irish Naval Service. She is currently serving on the LÉ James Joyce.

The Irish Defence Forces Podcast aims to provide interesting content on all aspects of the Irish military. It is a production of the Defence Forces Public Relations Branch.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Episode 1 of Season 2 of the Irish Defence Forces Podcast we speak to Sgt Rico Lucchesi of the 27th Infantry Battalion, Aiken Barrack's, Dundalk, taking in his experience conducting border operations with the 27th Battalion along the border with Northern Ireland during the Troubles, his experiences serving overseas in Lebanon and his experience in training personnel and engaging with his local community at home in Dundalk.

Sgt Lucchesi has been in the Defence Forces since 1985, has served overseas on multiple occasions, trained nine recruit platoons and is currently the Operations Sergeant with the 27th Infantry Battalion.

The Irish Defence Forces Podcast aims to provide interesting content on all aspects of the Irish military. It is a production of the Defence Forces Public Relations Branch.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this weeks episode we talk to Company Sergeant Sandra Murphy (2 Brigade CIS Compnay), Sergeant Rena Kennedy (Public Relations Branch) and Sergeant Leona Walsh (102 Squadron, Air Corps) about their careers in Óglaigh na hÉireann. We talk about their friendship forged during recruit training in 1994, their wide ranging experience both at home and overseas and the highs (and lows) of their 26 years in service.

The Irish Defence Forces Podcast aims to provide interesting content on all aspects of the Irish military. It is a production of the Defence Forces Public Relations Branch

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this weeks episode we chat to Captain Eugene Mohan of the Irish Air Corps on the different types of helicopter use in Óglaigh na hÉireann and their various roles, from cargo lift to aerial fire fighting to troop transport. Captain Mohan has served as pilot in the Irish Air Corps since 2014 and most recently served as a helicopter pilot with the Emergency Aeromedical Service operated by the Defence Forces in conjunction with the Health Service Executive.

The Irish Defence Forces Podcast aims to provide interesting content on all aspects of the Irish military. It is a production of the Defence Forces Public Relations Branch.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this weeks episode we chat to Leading Seaman Ryan Carroll, a non-commissioned officer serving in the Naval Service Diving Section, at Haulbowline Naval Base, Cork. The Naval Service Diving Section are the sole training establishment for military diving in the Defence Forces. They are the primary State diving team, carrying out many varied tasks for a number of State Agencies. L/S Carroll has served in the Diving Section for 7 years and has also served overseas in the Mediterranean. In 2018, L/S Carroll was awarded a Defence Forces Values Award for Physical Courage.

The Irish Defence Forces Podcast aims to provide interesting content on all aspects of the Irish military. It is a production of the Defence Forces Public Relations Branch.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this weeks episode we chat to Sergeant Larry Havens, a non-commissioned officer in the 1 Armoured Cavalry Squadron, stationed in the Curragh Camp, about the Cavalry Corps of the Irish Defence Forces, its history, roles and training. Sergeant Havens is an instructor in reconnaissance training, armour and gunnery with almost 19 years service. He has also served overseas in a variety of roles during his career.

The Irish Defence Forces Podcast aims to provide interesting content on all aspects of the Irish military. It is a production of the Defence Forces Public Relations Branch.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.