Interview with Naval Cadet Conall Kiernan - From College Graduate to Naval Officer

Newly commissioned naval officer Conall Kiernan shares why being rejected from the cadetship the first time was the best thing that could have happened, having gone to college, applied again, and ended up commissioning with the family already serving in the army watching from the square. From his first patrol resupplying Irish troops in Lebanon to running his first live-fire range, Conall reveals what the cadetship fitness test actually requires, what the work-life balance on different ship classes looks like, and why he tells anyone considering it to commit 100%. In this interview, Conall discusses: • A military family: father and brother both Army, with the Naval Service as his own path • Applying for the cadetship straight out of school, being unsuccessful, going to college and applying again • The fitness test: 20 push ups, 20 sit ups, 2.4km run in under 11:40 (men) or 13:10 (women) • Training routines that worked for him: running every other day plus his own workouts • A first patrol that took him from Ireland to Lebanon to resupply Óglaigh na hÉireann personnel, with port calls in Limassol (Cyprus) and Malaga (Spain) • Commissioning day: hearing his name called as an officer of the Irish Naval Service with family watching • Running his first live-fire range and the responsibility that comes with it • The salary advantage of earning while studying compared to college students working part-time • Sea rotations: P60 ships do four weeks at sea / four weeks alongside, P70 ships do two weeks at sea / two weeks alongside • Annual leave: 31 days plus the rolling time-off-in-lieu earned on patrol Conall is matter-of-fact about persistence paying off: "I did apply for it first time round, straight after school. Unfortunately, I wasn't successful, so I decided I'd go to college, complete that first, and then try again. Luckily, I got in the second time round." His advice for anyone considering it: "Definitely go for it. Commit 100%, because it does require 100% commitment. Before going in, make sure you tick the boxes with the fitness assessments and that you hit those numbers or above. From there, you should be good to go." Apply: https://irish-defence-forces.rezoomo.... TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 - Introduction: A Military Family And A Second Application 0:33 - The Fitness Test: 20 Push-Ups, 20 Sit-Ups, 2.4km Run 1:05 - Training Routine: Running, Workouts, Lifestyle 1:35 - First Patrol: Resupplying Irish Troops In Lebanon 2:07 - Commissioning Day And Running A Live-Fire Range 2:38 - Why Earning A Salary While Studying Is A Big Advantage 3:09 - P60 Ships: Four Weeks At Sea, Four Weeks Alongside 3:42 - P70 Ships: Two Weeks At Sea, Two Weeks Alongside 4:13 - 31 Days Annual Leave Plus Time Off In Lieu 4:44 - Final Advice: Commit 100% And Pass The Fitness