Plan to revitalise the Reserve Defence Force published today

Plan to revitalise the Reserve Defence Force published today

Tánaiste calls on employers to embrace the benefits of supporting employees who are in the Reserve.

The Tánaiste and Minister for Defence, Mr. Micheál Martin, TD, today (24 July 2024) launched of the Regeneration and Development Plan for the Reserve Defence Force (RDF) in Cathal Brugha Barracks, Dublin.

Accompanied by the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, Lieutenant General Seán Clancy, the Tánaiste reaffirmed Government’s commitment to the revitalisation of the RDF - one of the key strategic objectives arising from the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces.

The publication of today’s report reflects the considerable amount of work that has been done by the Defence Forces, particularly since the establishment of the Office of Reserve Affairs and the appointment of a Director of the Office of Reserve Affairs early last year.

The Tánaiste said: “A key priority of mine as Minister for Defence is the modernisation of our Defence Forces, and revitalising our Reserve Defence Forces is a vital part of that transformation process. This Regeneration and Development Plan contains concrete actions to drive forward recruitment and retention, resourcing, training and education and integration and deployment.

The Tánaiste also called on employers to embrace the benefits of supporting employees who are in the Reserve.

“Throughout their careers in the Defence Forces, each member of the Reserve will learn critical skillsets in leadership, management, task-orientated focus, working under pressure, teamwork, physical endurance and mental agility. The State, RDF members, and employers all stand to gain from Reserve membership. It is truly a win-win for everyone in terms of the mutual benefits for all.”

Commenting on the plan, the Chief of Staff, Lt Gen Clancy said, “I very much welcome the publication of the Reserve Defence Force Regeneration and Development Plan which represents a significant initiative in the transformation of the Defence Forces. Our vision for 2030 is that Óglaigh na hÉireann will be a joint, agile and fit-for-purpose military force, postured to defend our sovereignty, protect Irish citizens and secure Ireland’s interests.”

Notes for Editor:

• Following the establishment of the Office of Reserve Affairs (ORA) in line with a recommendation from the Commission on the Defence Forces, the key focus of that office has been the development of a Regeneration Plan.

• The Reserve Defence Force Regeneration and Development Plan (RDFRDP) seeks to operationalise the intent outlined in the Commission on the Defence Forces (CoDF) report pertaining to the Reserve Defence Force (RDF). The RDFRDP will contribute to, and complement, the broad spectrum of transformation initiatives that are being implemented across the Defence Forces and ensure the RDF is a fit for purpose, resilient and agile element of the Defence Forces. The campaign plan that has been developed will initiate, implement and deliver a range of actions that will regenerate and develop the RDF while also contributing to the wider transformation of the Defence Forces.

• The RDFRDP provides a framework for the revitalisation of the RDF. A comprehensive campaign will deliver 27 actions to create the effects necessary to achieve the strategic objective. Some of these actions will require further research and will be exploratory in nature. Other actions will address administrative issues that have affected the operation of the RDF in the past and thus enable a more efficient and effective functional organisation. These actions will ensure the RDF is a fit for purpose force that can deliver enhanced military capabilities where and when required.

• The 27 actions are organised within four objectives listed as:

o 1. Recruit & Retain - Enhance recruitment into the RDF while concurrently implementing measures to retain personnel and build the effective strength

o 2. Resource - Provide Reservists and Reserve Units with appropriate resources to enable them to deliver enhanced military capabilities where and when required

o 3. Train & Educate - Provide Reservists with the highest standard of training and education to enable them to maximise their potential.

o 4. Integrate & Deploy - Enable the RDF to seamlessly train and deploy with the PDF

• Fundamentally, all 27 actions will seek to inculcate the RDF in all aspects of Defence Forces operations, training and support functions. The implementation campaign will create initiatives and actions that will develop an enhanced role, and the associated capabilities, for the RDF in the defence of the State. To that end, the strategic objective of the RDFRDP is stated as follows - “To create a reserve force that can seamlessly train, operate and deploy with the Permanent Defence Force, nationally and internationally”

• This is a Defence Forces document. The Deputy Chief of Staff (Ops) is the owner/sponsor of the Action Plan. Of the 27 actions, 26 will led by the Defence Forces, with the Department leading on 1 action and providing support to 15 of the actions.

• It is also agreed that some of these actions will require further research and will be exploratory in nature, while others will address administrative issues that have affected the functioning of the RDF in the past. 11 Actions are directly linked to the CODF Work Packages in Defence Implementation Plan (DIP) with the same milestones.