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Naval Service Reserve
Irish: Cúltaca na Seirbhíse Cabhlaigh
Emblem of the Naval Service Reserve
Active1 October 2005–present
Country Ireland
BranchNaval Service
TypeNaval Reserve
Size97 personnel (Aug 2024)[1]
200 (establishment)
Part of Irish Defence Forces
Websitewww.military.ie/en/who-we-are/reserve-defence-forces/naval-service-reserve/
Insignia
Cúltaca shoulder insignia

The Naval Service Reserve (NSR) (Irish: Cúltaca na Seirbhíse Cabhlaigh) is the reserve force of the Irish Naval Service. It is one of two elements of the Reserve Defence Forces (RDF) of the Irish Defence Forces, the other element being the Army Reserve (AR). The NSR was established on 1 October 2005 to replace and reorganise the previous naval reserve organisation, An Slua Muirí, which in turn replaced the fore-runner Maritime Inscription founded in 1940 to act as a Port Control authority during The Emergency (WWII). Originally formed at Dublin's Alexandra Basin, its headquarters was in Portobello barracks, now known as Cathal Brugha Barracks.[2]

Organisation

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Organised in five units, one each in Dublin, Waterford, Cork and Limerick, and another specialist unit, the Technical Support Unit. As of August 2024 the NSR had a strength of 97 personnel of all ranks.[1] The reserve supplements the crew of vessels of the Irish Naval Service during patrols of territorial waters and overseas visits, as well as conducting stand-alone operations within their respective ports, such as security duties, sighting reports and intelligence gathering.[3][4] All Naval Service Reserve members fall under the Naval Service Executive Division (Seaman's Division).

Enlistment is open to EU citizens between the ages of 18 and 35, provided they are ordinarily resident in Ireland, can pass fitness tests, an interview, medical examination, are of good character and obtain a security clearance, and also to non-EU citizens who have been continuously legally resident in the Republic for at least three years.

The NSR is a part-time voluntary organisation, and trains members in aspects of nautical and military disciplines to supplement and aid the permanent Naval Service. Periods of enlistment vary and is initially for four years. Progression through the ranks is possible including a commission and promotion to the rank of Lt/Cdr (see Irish Naval Service#Personnel and ranks).

Up to 6 weeks paid training may be undertaken by a reservist each year (further sea training possible when demand arises). Reservists are liable to be called up on permanent service by ministerial order in times of emergency.[5]

NSR personnel formed part of the crew of the LÉ Eithne which was deployed to Cork as a testing centre in support of the HSE, as part of Ireland's response to the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) in early 2020.[6][7]

In 2021 it was reported that the Naval Service would acquire four motor launches to be built by FM Marine Services Ltd for the Naval Service Reserve.[8] The 30 tonne boats are due to have a crew of four and can be armed with two general purpose machine guns. The boats are planned to be based at Dublin, Cork, Waterford, and Foynes/Limerick.[9] The first of these boats was named Fionnghuala and launched in December 2024.[10][11]

Ranks

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Main article: Irish Defence Forces rank insignia § Irish Naval Service

Prior to 2002 ranks for NCOs in the Naval Reserve were in blue instead of gold.[12] Since 2002 naval reserve personnel have worn the same rank insignia as their non-reserve counterparts.

Rank group Senior NCOs Junior NCOs Enlisted
Ireland Irish Naval
Service Reserve
(Pre-2002)
 No insignia
Senior chief petty officer
Ard-mhion-oifigeach sinsearach 		Chief petty officer
Ard-mhion-oifigeach 		Senior petty officer
Mion-oifigeach sinsearach 		Petty officer
Mion-oifigeach 		Leading seaman
Mairnéalach ceannais 		Able seaman
Mairnéalach inniúil 		Ordinary seaman
Mairnéalach 		Seaman recruit
Earcach

Weapons

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Main article: Irish Naval Service § Weapons
Name Origin Type Caliber Photo Notes
Pistol
Heckler & Koch USP  Germany Semi-automatic pistol 9×19mm Standard service pistol[13]
Assault Rifle
Steyr AUG  Austria Assault Rifle 5.56×45mm Standard service rifle since 1989
Battle Rifle
FN FAL  Belgium Battle Rifle 7.62×51mm Only used for line throwing
Machine gun
FN MAG  Belgium Machine gun 7.62×51mm Fitted onboard Naval Service ships for close range weapons support and anti-air point defence. Can also be mounted on RHIB's
M2 Browning .5 Heavy Machine Gun (HMG)  Belgium Machine gun 12.7×99mm (.50) Fitted onboard Naval Service ships for close range weapons support and anti-air point defence

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Defence Forces - Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 Oct 2024 - Written Answers". Office of the Houses of the Oireachtas (Hansard). 17 October 2024. As of 31 August 2024, the effective strength of the Second Line Reserve stood at 1,553, which consists of 1,456 Army Reserve personnel and 97 Naval Service Reserve personnel. On the same date, the strength of the First Line Reserve stood at 167 personnel.'
  2. ^ "Ship called after a sea goddess to the fore in naval reserve". Irish Times. Retrieved 11 January 2018.
  3. ^ "White Paper on Defence: Reserve Defence Forces Representative Association". Houses of the Oireachtas Service. Retrieved 25 July 2016.
  4. ^ "Roles of the Naval Service Reserve". Defence Forces Ireland. Retrieved 18 November 2024.
  5. ^ "About Naval Service Reserve". Defence Forces Ireland. Retrieved 18 November 2024.
  6. ^ "21 March 2020 - DF Internal Announcement". Óglaigh na hÉireann. Retrieved 21 March 2020.
  7. ^ O'Riordan, Sean (21 March 2020). "Navy returning LÉ Eithne to service as Cork Covid-19 testing centre". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 21 March 2020.
  8. ^ Gallagher, Conor (19 April 2021). "Naval Service to acquire four new boats over coming years". Irish Times. Retrieved 18 November 2024.
  9. ^ O'Riordan, Sean (2 February 2022). "Insufficient staff to operate Naval Service Reserve's new armed motor launches". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 18 November 2024.
  10. ^ "Irish Naval Service's Post". 15 November 2024. Retrieved 18 November 2024.
  11. ^ "New Irish Navy vessel launches in Co Kerry". rte.ie. 5 December 2024. Retrieved 5 December 2024.
  12. ^ "Irish Military Insignia". irishmilitaryinsignia.com. Archived from the original on 14 August 2007.
  13. ^ Don Lavery (2 September 2006). "Defence Forces to turn 'tomb raiders'". The Irish Independent. Retrieved 29 April 2013.
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