Reserve Defence Forces

The Reserve Defence Forces is the title given to the reserve components of the Irish Defence Forces [The Irish Defence Forces are made up of the Permanent Defence Forces (PDF or P.D.F) - the standing branches - and the Reserve Defence Forces (RDF or R.D.F.).] . It comprises the Army Reserve (AR) and the Naval Service Reserve (NSR).

It was established on October 1 2005 and replaced the second line reserve, previously named "An Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil" (FCA) in the case of the AR, and "An Slua Muirí" in the case of the NSR.

History and organisation

In 1997 a steering group was convened by the Chief of Staff of the Irish Defence Forces to conduct a special study on the restructuring of the Reserve Defence Forces. The report was completed in May 1999. The Reserve Defence Forces was established in 2005 in line with the recommendations of this report, and as part of a wider restructure of the defence forces from 2000.

The Army Reserve has three reserve infantry brigades (with an establishment of 9,292 personnel), and an integrated reserve (2,656 personnel) forming part of the regular army unit structure.

The Naval Service Reserve has an establishment of 400 and is organised into two groups, each consisting of two companies.

Earlier reserve forces: LSF, LDF, FCA

During the Emergency, the civilian reserve was known as the Local Security Force, then as the Local Defence Force, which subsequently became translated into Irish as "An Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúl" (or FCA). The FCA persisted as such until 2005 until reorganised and renamed as above. For a more detailed history, see main article.

Popular culture

The Irish Reserve Defence Forces (then FCÁ) composed a majority of the extras used in the filming of the D-Day Battle of Normandy battle scenes in "Saving Private Ryan", as well as battle scenes in "Braveheart" and "My Boy Jack"..

Footnotes

External links and sources

* [http://www.military.ie/reserves/index.html Official Irish Defence Forces site - Reserve Forces homepage]