The Defence Forces Training Centre (DFTC) (Irish: Airmheán Traenála Óglaigh na hÉireann, ATÓÉ) is the principal training centre for the Irish Army and other branches of the Irish Defence Forces, headquartered at the Curragh Camp that serves to provide education and training to recruits and officers. The DFTC also encompasses Glen of Imaal in County Wicklow which is the primary artillery and anti-tank firing range for the army. It primarily comprises the Military College, with various schools, alongside additional specialised schools. It also hosts some specialised army units.[2] DFTC is home to 2,000 military personnel.[3]
| Defence Forces Training Centre | |
|---|---|
| Irish: Airmheán Traenála Óglaigh na hÉireann | |
 Flag of the DFTC | |
| Country |  Ireland |
| Part of |  Defence Forces |
| Garrison/HQ | |
| Website | www |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Brigadier General Brendan McGuinness[1] |
| Insignia | |
| Cadet Colours |  |
Training Facilities
editAs part of the DFTC a number of training establishments operate to train new members of the Defence Forces.
Military College
editThe Military College is the principal educational facility for the training of cadets, NCO's and senior officers of the Defence Forces and the main training unit of the DFTC. Founded in 1930 the college comprises a number of constituent schools:[4]
- Command and Staff School
- Cadet School
- Infantry School: Consisting of Officer Training Wing, Non Commissioned Officers Training Wing and Infantry Weapons Wing.
- Artillery School
- Cavalry School
- Military Administration School
- United Nations Training School Ireland
- Defence Forces Physical Education School
Other Training Schools
editOther schools within the DFTC include:
- Communications and Information Services School
- Transport Vehicle Maintenance School
- Ordnance School
- Military Police School
- Engineer School
- Medical School
- Defence Forces School of Catering
Units
editThe DFTC also plays host to a number of independent army units not formally part of the two brigade structure:
1st Mechanised Infantry Company
editFormally 'B Company' of the 3rd Infantry Battalion the 1st Mechanised Infantry Company was established in 2012 is today an independent unit of the DFTC based at the Curragh that provides training in use and operation of the Mowag Armoured Personnel Carrier.
1st Armoured Cavalry Squadron
editThe 1st Armoured Cavalry Squadron, based at the DFTC in the Curragh, was formed in 1998 through the merger of the 1st Armoured Car Squadron, founded in 1922 and as such the oldest cavalry unit in the Defence Forces, and the 1st Tank Squadron. The Squadron is made up of three tank troops of four tanks each and one administrative unit.[5]
A part of the Army's Cavalry Corps, The 1st Armoured Cavalry Squadron used the MOWAG Piranha IIIH as its main service vehicle.
Army Ranger Wing
editThe Army Ranger Wing (ARW) is the elite special forces unit of the Irish Defence Forces. Highly secretive in nature the ARW has deployed overseas as part of Irish UN peacekeeping missions. Responsibilities include counter-terrorism, intelligence gathering, hostage rescue and close protection. The Army Rangers work with the Directorate of Military Intelligence (G2), the national intelligence service, and trains with the specialist firearms and tactics service of the Garda Síochána (national police), known as the Emergency Response Unit (ERU).
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "General Officer Commanding (GOC) the Defence Forces Training Centre (DFTC)". Defence Forces Ireland. Retrieved 4 October 2015.
- ^ "DEFENCE FORCES TRAINING CENTRE". Military.ie. Retrieved 2016-06-07.
- ^ "Crime gang's €1 million fleet of vehicles under armed guard in The Curragh Camp". Kildare Now. 29 March 2016. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 16 December 2016.
- ^ "The Military College". military.ie. Irish Defence Forces. Retrieved 7 June 2016.
- ^ "The 1 Armoured Cavalry Squadron (1 ACS)". kildare.ie. Irish Defence Forces. Retrieved 7 June 2016.