Army Recruit
To apply to be a recruit, call or send a letter to your regional HQ (contact details here). You will then be sent an official application form, which you must fill in fully. You will be required to provide two passport photographs and if under 18, a signature of consent from parents and a member of clergy/serving member of PDF (sergeant or higher)/a police officer/principal or teacher of the school you attended or are currently attending.

To be a recruit, you must be at least 17 years old on the day of application. Consent is required for applicants under 18. The minimum height required is 5' 4" (162.5cm). If called for an interview you must be seen to possess a sufficient standard of education, you are of good character, that you are likely to adapt well to military life and that you are not in an illegal or political organisation.

The potential recruit must pass a rigorous physical and medical examination. The physical examination consists of the following:

	Men	Women
1.5 mile run	11:30mins	13mins
Sit-Ups	20 in 1min	20 in 1min
Push-Ups	20 in 1min	20 in 1min (from the knees)
NOTE: These are the minimum requirements and usually the applicant will need to exceed these.

Recommended

	Men	Women
1.5 mile run	10:30-11mins	12mins
Sit-Ups	25 in 1min	25 in 1min
Push-Ups	25 in 1min	25 in 1min (from the knees)

You CANNOT apply to be a recruit if you have been discharged from the military of another country for misconduct or as the result of being medically unfit. You CANNOT apply if you are a current serving member of the PDF or Garda Siochana, or a person belonging to the military of another country. You CANNOT apply if you have been convicted of a serious offence. You CANNOT apply if you in receipt of a disability pension or an apprentice.

Recruits sign on for a minimum of 5 years, extendable to 9, then 12. Recruits can purchase a discharge from the Minister for Defence for €31.75 anytime from the date of enlistment until three months later. Remember, only apply if you are prepared to serve anywhere within the country or even overseas on a UN peacekeeping mission.

A Recruit can expect to earn €286.36 from date of enlistment, after 15 weeks of training this will be increased to €355. Progression to Private 3 Star rank will earn you €369. As you progress through the ranks your pay increases naturally.

If you require more information, please don't hesitate to post on the discussion board.

Army Cadet
Details soon, in the meantime, checkout military.ie