1 Southern Brigade

Reserve Defence Forces, Ireland

Move Your Mind - Join the Army Reserve, 1 Southern Brigade Today

Move Your Mind - Join the Army Reserve, 1 Southern Brigade Today


As a part-time soldier of the 1 Southern Reserve Brigade you will receive modern military training. This training will be organised around weekly training parades (which usually last for 2 hours), field-day's and weekend camps, full-time training camps (usually two weeks duration), courses and duties.

Initial Recruit Training is conducted in each individual unit, up to a standard suitable for preparation for the 2-week centralised Recruit Course held in July, in Bere Island, Co.Cork.

On return to your unit, you commence on the next promotional level of training, usually culminating in the awarding of your 3-star rank following a centralised Bde 3* course . Promotion above this rank is totally dependent on one's ability, ambition, committment, loyalty.

Furthermore, all career courses above 3* level entail a Fitness Test pre-requisite, see above for more.

The Military Training offered will comprise of the majority of the below topics, dependant on the specific unit capablitiy and mission
  •     Footdrill and Arms Drill
  •     Tactical (Combat) Training
  •     Fieldcraft
  •     Weapons Training and Shooting
  •     Navigation and Orienteering
  •     First Aid Training
  •     Ceremonial Duties
  •     Survival Training
  •     Signals Training
  •     Confidence and Leadership Training
  •     Paid Full Time Training and Duties
  •     Unit Organic Training, i.e. Artillery, Cavalry, Medics,etc

From 1 January 2007, reservists will be eligible to apply for appointments in an Integrated formation, as part of the Permanent Defence Force.Download the flyer for more details


Click on flyer for download

The rank strucutre in the Reserve Defence Force is similiar to the Permenant Defence Force, but the highest ranking officer in the RDF stops at Lt.Col.  The full rank structure can be viewed here;