Jobs in the Irish Army and Navy

The Defence Forces in Ireland are again hoping to recruit new entrants in 2023. The jobs will be in the Army, Air Corps and Navy.

Applications are now open on the Defence Forces website at www.military.ie

Army applicants must be at least 18 years old and under the age of 25 years of age on the closing date for applications.

Naval Service applicants must also be at least 18 years old and under the age of 25 years of age on the closing date for applications.

Air Corps applicants must be at least 18 years old and under the age of 29 years of age on the closing date for applications.

The Defence Forces require men and women from all backgrounds who possess a strong sense of duty, enjoy working as part of a team, and are looking for a rewarding yet challenging career.


Defence Forces Rates of Pay

In mid 2022 – the starting salary for a newly qualified three-star private and their naval equivalent, inclusive of a military allowance, after basic training of 26 weeks was €30,153, rising to €41,555 after seven years. Thers is also scope for further income from duty allowances.

Requirements to Join The Defence Forces

No formal education qualifications are required to join the Defence Forces as a recruit. However, you must satisfy the Interview Board and the Recruiting Officer that you possess a sufficient standard of education for service in the Defence Forces.

Aptitude tests are a common part of the selection process and enable the Defence Forces to better understand candidates and determine if they have the skills for the job.

The height requirement for all candidates wishing to enlist in the Defence Forces is that they must be a minimum of 157.48cm. (That is Five foot 2 inches).

Defence Forces Fitness Tests

There is a Physical Fitness Induction Test for all Defence Force Applicants

It is composed of two aspects:

  • Local Muscular Endurance
  • Aerobic Endurance.

Local Muscular Endurance

  • Males – 20 push-ups and 20 sit-ups.
  • Females – 20 push-ups (Modified) and 20 sit-ups.

Max time allowed 1 minute. This is a Pass or Fail test.

Aerobic Endurance

Candidates will be required to run one and a half miles within the Defence Forces time limit below.These are the max times allowed. This is a Pass or Fail test.

  • Males – 11 Mins 40 secs
  • Females – 13 Mins 10 Secs.