Forty years on from his own entry into the Defence Forces, Maj Gen John Whittaker’s son has followed in his footsteps by becoming an Army officer.
The deputy chief of staff (operations) was the first in his family to join the Army, having applied after his mother spotted a career advert. He said he was “honoured” to see his son Cian become an Army officer alongside 51 other cadets at the Military College at the Curragh, Co Kildare, on Thursday.
Lieut Cian Whittaker (24), from Co Galway, said his decision to join the force was “massively” influenced by his father’s service. Growing up with an Army member in the family meant he knew “a lot more than the average person” about what a career in the Defence Forces entails, he said.
There is a lot of variety compared with a more traditional career, he said, adding: “It is what you make it.”
His father has risen to the second highest rank in the Army, but this isn’t intimidating to the newly commissioned lieutenant, who said: “I will take my own journey really; I am my own man.”
As for his father, Maj Gen Whittaker said: “It is fantastic to maintain the service to the State in the family and to see the next generation take on the baton.
“Not only is it a life less ordinary, but he is serving the State and the people. There is no greater honour or higher calling. It’s not a job; it is a vocation.”
Also being commissioned into the Army following the intensive 18-month cadet training were brothers Alex and Simon Gallagher from Co Antrim.
Brothers Alex (left) and Simon Gallagher at their cadet commissioning ceremony at the Curragh on Friday. Photograph: Defence Forces
Lieut Simon Gallagher (27) said their decisions to sign up were made independently. They heard about the cadetship programme at a time when they were separately seeking change in their lives.
He said the Army “seemed like an exciting path to go down”, and it was “definitely a bonus” that his brother was accepted into the scheme.
Lieut Alex Gallagher (28) said joining the Army gave him a “sense of direction” and a “goal to work towards”.
“It just seemed like a good opportunity to better yourself and move forward. I think sometimes in your mid-20s you’re like: ‘What should I do?’”
Overseas deployment is likely a while away for the 101st cadet class, but he is not daunted by the prospect. “By that stage you have to trust your training, what we have been taught to do and what has been drilled into us,” he said.
The training was at times “very challenging”, said his brother, but “you get through it”.
The commissioning ceremony, marking the cadets’ completion of their training, was attended by Minister for Defence Helen McEntee, who thanked the new officers for undertaking a “true act of public service”.
They join the Army amid a changing security environment, she said, and are taking on the “responsibility of making sure we are kept safe”.
Defence Forces chief of staff Lieut Gen Rossa Mulcahy said the new officers will take up roles in operational units across the State and will be providing support when Ireland takes up the European Union presidency in the coming months.