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NEW OFFICERS JOINING the Defence Forces are paid “far below” the troops they will lead, causing a military group to warn that it may be time to stop recommending leadership as a career.
Lieutenant Colonel Conor King, General Secretary of the Representative Association of Commissioned Officers (RACO) made the comment ahead of the conference which begins this morning in Trim, Co Meath.
The Representative Association of Commissioned Officers (RACO) hosts its Annual Delegate Conference in Trim where delegates will debate 26 motions over the next two days. RACO represents 1,225 serving officers of the Permanent Defence Force, from second Lieutenant to Colonel and equivalent Naval Service ranks.
King said that Cadet pay is 41% less than newly enlisted colleagues. Cadets are trainee officers and the enlisted soldiers, after shorter training, emerge on higher pay than those that lead them, RACO has said.
King explained that the current pay for the cadets is “far less than the minimum wage” and it needs to be addressed before it becomes a problem for attracting new recruits.
“The financial strain of living on cadet pay makes joining the Defence Forces less attractive, potentially limiting the pool of highly motivated candidates.
“Improving cadet pay is not just a matter of fairness; it is essential to attracting, supporting, and retaining talented personnel in the Defence Forces.
“Should this not be addressed, then RACO will have no option but to recommend to future cadet applicants that they enlist as a recruit in the Defence Forces prior to commencing a cadetship,” he said.
The issue has been caused in many respects by the efforts of the State to try and find a way to solve the massive recruitment issues in the Irish Defence Forces.
Pay for enlisted recruits has increased but there are unresolved issues still remaining for trainee officers.
RACO says the pay disparity between young officer continues long after training. From the moment of enlistment, it takes an officer five years to catch up to an enlisted colleague in terms of career pay, despite undertaking longer training and assuming greater responsibilities.
King said that RACO welcomes the recent increases in enlisted pay but that now cadet wages presents a serious barrier to recruitment.
“Cadet pay remains the lowest in the Defence Forces, at just €493.45 per week, compared to €540.05 for a recruit.
“Cadets remain on this pay for the entirety of their first year, while recruits move to an annual salary of €41,879.67 after just six months. Within that first year, a cadet earns 40.7% less than their enlisted counterpart, highlighting the significant early pay gap,” he added.
Simon Harris, speaking this morning to reporters said that a “business case” has been submitted and it will be assessed by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
“I think there is a legitimate issue that RACO raised there, we have a number of mechanisms through which we can try to advance that.
“My overall message would be that pay in the Defence Forces has increased, quite rightly, and significantly, over the last period of time – but I want to work constructively.
“We’ve got to make sure we support the men and women of Óglaigh na hÉireann,” he said.
Another issue for the conference is the status of the dozen military Chaplains who RACO has warned have been left behind by the Department of Defence (DOD).
Chaplains are religious representatives of various religions who provide spiritual support and pastoral care to soldiers at home and abroad. They wear a military uniform, live in Defence Forces barracks and are protected under international law as non-combatants. Their rank insignia is a Celtic Cross emblem.
King said that chaplains are without representation despite working for, and being paid by the Department of Defence.
Fr Paul Murphy is the most high profile of the Chaplains – he was stabbed outside Renmore Barracks in Galway by a teenager in a terrorist attack on 15 August 2024. He is currently deployed with the Defence Forces in Lebanon.
Fr Murphy has recently been named as the overall Irish Defence Forces values champion which honours military members for going above and beyond in their service.
In a surprising development King says that RACO has discovered that all Defence Forces Chaplains have been told they cannot receive representation from RACO as they ‘are not members of the Defence Forces’.
“The work of our Chaplains is invaluable. They work closely with our members both at home and overseas and are very much part of the Defence Forces family. Chaplains have been, and still are, an essential part of the Defence Forces for more than a century, deploying overseas as frequently as any other DF member.
“The Chaplaincy Service has sought immediate clarity from the Department as to their status, describing the current position as ‘disingenuous’. Moreover, Chaplains are unanimously in favour of being represented by RACO and so we are calling on the Minister to intervene in this matter,” he said.
The Chaplain service is also currently short of its required 15 establishment.
This morning Harris said that he believes Chaplains should be permitted to be a member of a representative body.
“I’d like to see that addressed, I think in this case men and women who represent Óglaigh na hÉireann who wear our uniform with distinction should always have an opportunity to join a representative association and I don’t think chaplains should be treated any differently in relation to that.
“They traditionally have, for maybe, many obvious and well-established reasons, maybe they’ve had higher representation than the rest of us over the years, but I think they should be allowed join rep bodies,” he said.
President of RACO Lieutenant Colonel Martin Ryan has warned that the shortfall in critical staffing levels was continuing to be a national security risk.
The issue is a perennial topic at conferences and among the defence community – the military staffing issues are continuing in key areas. This has been identified as a risk to national security given the struggle to have enough soldiers, aircrew and sailors, to carry out its functions of protecting Irish sovereignty.
“We need government to give urgent attention to the specialist skills required to meet emerging demands. This will ensure governance risks are managed effectively and that the welfare of members is protected.
“The ongoing issue of inadequate staffing levels in Defence Forces operational units remains a pressing concern. The motions tabled before conference highlight those challenges and we hope to hear some words of comfort backed by decisive action from the Tánaiste later today.”
RACO delegates will also debate motions ranging from inadequate pensions, overseas pay, governance and staffing levels in operational units, to a review of undertakings and expedited citizenship for officers born outside of the state.
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