DUBLIN, Ireland – Allied Command Operations (ACO) Command Senior Enlisted Leader (CSEL) Command Sergeant Major (CSM) Siim Saliste visited the Óglaigh na hÉireann (Irish Defence Forces) on March 1, 2022.
The development of our non-commissioned officer corps is equally important throughout our partner nations as it is with our Allies
During the visit, CSM Saliste met with the Irish Defence Forces (DF) Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Sean Clancy as well as Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) Keith Caffrey, the RSM of the DF, discussing operations, Professional Military Education as well as visiting the Army Ranger Wing.
"The development of our non-commissioned officer corps is equally important throughout our partner nations as it is with our Allies," said CSM Saliste. "We've been trying to make this visit happen for quite some time now, to meet, assess and share information, discuss the challenges we face, educational opportunities and any additional support that we can provide from within ACO."
Allied Command Operations Command Senior Enlisted Leader Command Sergeant Major Siim Saliste visits the Óglaigh na hÉireann (Irish Defence Forces) on March 1, 2022. (NATO Photo by MSGT Roman Brkovic)
Allied Command Operations Command Senior Enlisted Leader Command Sergeant Major Siim Saliste gives a briefing during a visit with the Óglaigh na hÉireann (Irish Defence Forces) on March 1, 2022. (NATO Photo by MSGT Roman Brkovic)
Allied Command Operations Command Senior Enlisted Leader Command Sergeant Major Siim Saliste poses for a photo with Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Sean Clancy, centre, and Regimental Sergeant Major Keith Caffrey, left, during a visit with the Óglaigh na hÉireann (Irish Defence Forces) on March 1, 2022. (NATO Photo by MSGT Roman Brkovic)
Partners Ireland have maintained a formal relationship with the Alliance since joining the Partnership for Peace programme in 1999. The DF are currently supporting the NATO-led Kosovo Force (KFOR), while the nation has also supported missions in Afghanistan and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
"Lifelong learning is one of the key tenets of a career in the Defence Forces," said RSM Caffrey. "The Defence Forces values and promotes education opportunities and supports the concept of "life-long learning" whereby enlisted personnel are encouraged to up-skill and re-skill continuously so that they can adapt to the complex and changing demands of military deployments and deliver effective military capability to play their part in meeting the commanders Intent. CSM Saliste's visit is very welcome, affording us the opportunity to discuss, and explore NCO training activities which are available to the Defence Forces as a partner Nation."
Headquartered in Kildare, the Óglaigh na hÉireann was founded in October 1924 encompassing an Army, Air Corps, Naval Service and Reserve Defence Forces. With an establishment of 9,500 active personnel with the largest component being the Army, DF troops are deployed throughout the world on a multitude of missions. To learn more visit https://www.military.ie/en/