Royal Irish Regiment

[FlyingMoose]

Hi all,

First off apologies for asking about the RIR here as I know its a RM forum, I just thought I'd get more detailed/thought out feedback here than on the other army forum I know of (arrse).

I am split between joining the RIR and the RM's. Originally I was headed towards the Rifles but I decided against it after not only reading on here about their track record but some rifleman friends talking about how the regiment lacks in a lot of areas (no disrespect at all meant to them, apologies if that comes off the wrong way) so I found the RIR instead, and from what I can see they look to be amazing. I was wondering if anyone here had any experience with them that they could share, good or bad, be it training, on operations etc, anything at all would be much appreciated.

I have emailed them to ask for more info about the regiment and to ask them to essentially sell themselves to me as a regiment, as suggested here so hopefully I'll learn something from that also.

Thanks all

 

[Rob20]

My opinion has always been if your aspiration is to join an Infantry unit during "peacetime", the best chance of seeing Ops, which is the reason we join infantry units, is being part of the best units, be it PARAs or RM. The opportunities are much greater.

If you're a young lad who doesn't care where you'd get based personally I dont understand how any Infantry regiment (except the Parachute Regiment) could compete with the Corps.

 

[Former AE]

If you have doubts join the RIR, if your commitment is to join the Corps do it.

 

[SnakeEyes]

Something I’ve learned about myself recently - you’ll never regret trying and failing and falling back on the RIR, but you will regret not trying and never knowing. You’ll always have that what if in your mind. This only applies if you’re having doubts about your abilities to join the corps though.

 

[SCOTTY6]

I’m guessing you’re from that area, hence the interest in the Royal Irish?

 

[FlyingMoose]

My opinion has always been if your aspiration is to join an Infantry unit during "peacetime", the best chance of seeing Ops, which is the reason we join infantry units, is being part of the best units, be it PARAs or RM. The opportunities are much greater.

If you're a young lad who doesn't care where you'd get based personally I dont understand how any Infantry regiment (except the Parachute Regiment) could compete with the Corps.

Thanks for the info. I understand that recruiters from regiments may gloss the regiment up but the guy from 1 RIR was saying they have regular American training packages on exchange with the Rangers over there, the chance of deployments to Afghanistan, Africa as well as on training teams elsewhere. I understand I should probably take that with a pinch of salt however.

I’m guessing you’re from that area, hence the interest in the Royal Irish?

Family and cultural ties but not from the area. Interested due to their specialism of close combat (according to army.mod.uk), great training and opportunities (although the Marines definitely have this), no chance of getting 'pinged' ie always doing the job I would sign up for, at the pointy end (although I understand that being pinged isn't really all too bad, only 2 years with rank progression etc).

Thanks all for the replies and info, much appreciated

 

[Rob20]

Thanks for the info. I understand that recruiters from regiments may gloss the regiment up but the guy from 1 RIR was saying they have regular American training packages on exchange with the Rangers over there, the chance of deployments to Afghanistan, Africa as well as on training teams elsewhere. I understand I should probably take that with a pinch of salt however.

So this is where id advise looking into what each unit has been up to within last few years and what they plan on doing in the next year or two.

What I can say is the Corps regularly train with the yanks, partake in STTTs all over the world, and have been deployed at Company level on Ops, although obviously nothing like the Herrick days.

What else can the Corps offer? There are jungle, arctic trips each year if your lucky enough to be at the right unit. Time on ship, be it Ship Protection, Boarding teams etc. Mountain training and vertical assault training.

I've given a few examples but there arw opportunities in the Corps, that from what I've seen cant be rivalled by most Army units. However, im no expert so look into the RIR deployment and training opportunities and see what best suits you.

 

[Sprint0205]

What I can say is the Corps regularly train with the yanks, partake in STTTs all over the world, and have been deployed at Company level on Ops, although obviously nothing like the Herrick days.

Company level ops *text deleted*? I know the details are probably not for public consumption, but broadly speaking, what tasks are they carrying out?

 

[Rob20]

Not my place to say. Especially not on an open forum. Besides I've not been on the job. Just have alot of mates from my previous unit who have been.

Again its worth bearing in mind, imagine there is a requirement for 1 Company for an Op, would the Government look at PARAs/Bootnecks or a random company from a line infantry regiment?

 

[SCOTTY6]

I wasn’t aware the Irish “Rangers” shares anything with the 75th other than the name!

 

[Rob20]

Looking at their page on Army website and Instagram, it doesn't look like they're anything more than a line infantry unit.

I wasn’t aware the Irish “Rangers” shares anything with the 75th other than the name!

 

[Chelonian]

There might be an affiliation between US Rangers and line infantry RIR because of the linked names and because many Americans have sentimental fondness for NI and ROI.
But their roles are clearly very different. As is the role of the Dartmoor Rangers I meet daily.

More about the origins of the Irish ‘Ranger’ designation here:

“The Royal Irish Rangers came into being on 1 July 1968 through the amalgamation of the three regiments of the North Irish Brigade: the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, the Royal Ulster Rifles and the Royal Irish Fusiliers. The date was initially known as "Vesting Day" (and then "Rangers Day"), emphasising that the traditions of the old regiments were "vested" in the new large regiment.
Soon after creation in December 1968, and as part of a general reduction in the Army, the 3rd Battalion (former Royal Irish Fusiliers) was disbanded. The three regiments had old and differing traditions (Rifle and Fusilier) and to avoid favouring one above another, the unique designation "Rangers" was adopted. The title had not existed in the British Army since 1922. With the creation of the "Divisions of Infantry", the Royal Irish Rangers became part of the King's Division, along with regiments from the north of England.”

Royal Irish Rangers - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[corvus]

Company level ops *text deleted*? I know the details are probably not for public consumption, but broadly speaking, what tasks are they carrying out?

You'll find out if you're involved, you're right the details aren't for public consumption.

 

[m2013]

Thanks for the info. I understand that recruiters from regiments may gloss the regiment up but the guy from 1 RIR was saying they have regular American training packages on exchange with the Rangers over there, the chance of deployments to Afghanistan, Africa as well as on training teams elsewhere. I understand I should probably take that with a pinch of salt however.


Family and cultural ties but not from the area. Interested due to their specialism of close combat (according to army.mod.uk), great training and opportunities (although the Marines definitely have this), no chance of getting 'pinged' ie always doing the job I would sign up for, at the pointy end (although I understand that being pinged isn't really all too bad, only 2 years with rank progression etc).

Thanks all for the replies and info, much appreciated

I think the recruiter is buttering them up. I know a good handful of people move to 2 rifles from rir. But I'd say personally pretty much 99% of line infantry will do the same sort of deployment/overseas exercisss. Mostly depending on if your light/mechanised/armoured. And I dont really think any are better than the other it's just regimental history/pride.

Army has a bad tendency to lie in recruitment. I was told I could do things I dont have a snowballs in hell chance of doing. But fool me

 

[Xerath]

From what I've heard the RIR get up to a lot regarding overseas exercises and deployments.

When it comes to operational tours, the Line Infantry seem to get the bulk of them compared to the Paras and the RM - SHADER, TORAL, CORDED, etc (obviously disregarding maritime ops and the ones not in public domain.)

2 and 3 PARA have only been to Afghanistan on TORAL in the past couple of years whereas units like the Rifles and Household Division have been all over the place

As others have mentioned though you're better off doing some solid research first, and with the Future Commando Force things are looking pretty interesting!

Also quick edit, if you're not from that area I wouldn't bother joining the RIR, 'outsiders' tend to get shunned from what I've been told by a guy serving in that regiment.

 

[m2013]

The spec inf battalions might be worth looking into I know they're away alot

 

[Jaykay2343]

From a mate who is leaving RIR , the last few years he had been to Kabul and Afghanistan post Herrick on Force protection type roles, and overseas numerous times on STTT's. He enjoyed it for the money he managed to put away.

 

[Rob20]

The spec inf battalions might be worth looking into I know they're away alot

Hearing alot about Spec Inf recently. Are they the army's boys when it comes to STTTs or is there more to it than that?

 

[CallMeLucifer]

Originally I was headed towards the Rifles but I decided against it after not only reading on here about their track record but some rifleman friends talking about how the regiment lacks in a lot of areas

I also considered the Rifles as a possible unit to fall back on. But what is this about their track record and the things that they lack?

 

[Collieryboy]

Hearing alot about Spec Inf recently. Are they the army's boys when it comes to STTTs or is there more to it than that?

I don't know what exactly they do but I do know they were asking para reg blokes to do 2 year postings across. Last time I heard the take up was 0.