Minister Coveney launches BE MORE, new Defence Forces recruitment campaign

The Minister for Defence, Simon Coveney and the Chief of Staff of the Irish Defence Forces, Lieutenant General Seán Clancy, today launched the new recruitment campaign, Be More with the Irish Defence Forces.

A new recruitment campaign was unveiled at Cathal Brugha Barracks which paves the way for future progress with the Minister committed to developing a Defence Forces that is designed not just for today, but also for the future.

Furthermore, Minister Coveney will shortly bring forward a high-level action plan, which will set out timelines and oversight arrangements for the implementation of the recommendations made by the Commission on the Defence Forces.

Speaking at the launch, Minister Coveney said:

"Recruitment is the life blood of any organisation and no less so for the Defence Forces. An ongoing influx of young, talented women and men is essential to rejuvenate and bring fresh thinking and ideas that are essential in the rapidly changing world we find ourselves in today.

"To attract and retain that talent means that what is offered in return must resonate with those we are seeking to recruit. This new recruitment marketing strategy that I am proud to launch today, is the culmination of the efforts of the Defence Forces, in partnership with industry experts, to ensure this.

"This new marketing strategy aligns the desire to continuously improve and learn new skills with ensuring long term career advancement, by ably demonstrating the opportunities and skills a career in the Defence Forces offers. It couples the altruistic desire to serve the State, with the benefit of doing so – by serving your country you are serving your future self."

The new recruitment material reflects this, showcasing some of the trades and skills on offer in the Defence Forces, such as mechanics and technicians, while highlighting the proud tradition of overseas peacekeeping roles. It also displays the unique personal development military training provides as it produces communicators, problem solvers, team members and leaders who can meet life’s challenges wherever that life takes them.

Minister Coveney concluded:

"As you are aware, this is a time of great change and opportunity for the Defence Forces, with the publication earlier this year of the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces. Today’s recruitment campaign is just a part of the process of facilitating the increase in strength of the Defence Forces required to underpin its recommendations and is an important step, given our current recruitment and retention challenges, and my desire for an elevated level of ambition for the Defence Forces."

For more information on Defence Forces recruitment see www.military.ie.