There's something about the uniform, but that's just not enough to entice many people into the Defence Forces. Currently of the 8,000 members of the Irish Defence Forces, there are fewer than 570 female personnel which works out at around 7 per cent of the total force.
But according to Commandant Danielle Murphy, who has had a 20-year career in the military so far, many women are completely unaware of the pros of Army life - and they are working hard to dispel the myths.
Speaking to EVOKE when we went to the Curragh Camp to find out what it was like and give the obstacle course a go, she admitted she had a very different opinion of the Defence Forces when she started out.
'Originally, people would have said to me, "Oh, like the Defence Forces isn't great from a family point of view- it's great when you're young, but it's not great when you've a family." 'But I have to say that I don't find it like that now that I have children - and now I'm expecting again.'
From first-hand experience, Danielle has nothing but positive things to say about becoming a mother while working for the Defence Forces.
'Obviously, you have all your maternity leave and your parental leave so you can work a shorter working week. We have a shorter working year so you can take time off while your kids are off school. It's actually really supportive, which I probably didn't even realise until I had my first child.
'We've all different policies as well; we support remote working wherever we can at all, support different working hours around childcare.'
Danielle revealed that a very basic level of fitness is needed if you fancy applying to join the Army because physical fitness is such an ingrained part of Army life.
'Nobody should think they have to join the army and be this super-fit person, a very basic level of fitness is all you need. You're gradually brought up through what you need to learn, like the skills you need to learn,' she said.
EVOKE wanted to see just how challenging the obstacle course is, so, gearing up in the military uniform on a cold, grey, and wet June day, I tested my endurance.
Starting with what looked to be a short run wearing full armour, I soon learned that it was anything but easy. A bullet-proof vest full of protective plates could weigh anything up to 10kg, that's not to mention your helmet weighing another 2kg and boots.
My supervisor, Corporal Stevie Dunne, had to help put on the protective gear, which he also explained has been modified to suit women better in recent years with a tighter cutaway at the chest, making it easier to hold a gun. They didn't let me practice with a gun, thankfully!
The course involves up and over obstacles, vertical wall climbs, and a net wall. 'Always be sure to maintain three points of contact,' Stevie explained as I blew in the wind, around 20ft in the air.
There was absolutely no fear whatsoever I'd be letting go- white knuckle all the way. However, I managed to do what I needed to do.
The one challenge that I really wasn't looking forward to was the wormholes- long tunnels to shimmy through. Confined spaces terrify me, add in the pitch black and the length of tunnels and the obstacle, which was halfway around the course, had me filled with dread.
'There could be situations where you'd need to protect yourself,' Stevie explained, helpfully telling me that as training advances cadets train in smaller and smaller tunnels.
There was also a tyre carry exercise- similar to the one I did when I tried the Garda fitness test earlier this year- but there were many more challenging obstacles including rope hangs, monkey bars, and climbing across ropes.
I was only half joking when I said kids would have a ball on some of the equipment, it's like an adult playground- but realistically, as Stevie pointed out, this was no fun exercise- it's essentially strength, agility, and fitness testing so members of the force can best protect themselves should they ever encounter an ambush in the line of duty.
The Irish Defence Forces' largest deployment at the moment is with the UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon, but there are also troops in the Golan Heights, Syria, Israel, Jordan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Mali, and The Democratic Republic of Congo.
Back in the warmth of her office after drying off, Danielle explained what it's really like to be deployed on one of these missions.
'Overseas is a big part of service in the army, most people would do at least one overseas deployment,' she said. 'I've done three- twice to Lebanon and once to Kosovo. That would have been more towards the basic soldiering skills. Patrolling and all that kind of thing.'
She said that six months away from home can seem like a long time, but these days there is an option to split a deployment with another member and there are even family-friendly overseas deployments available.
'Everyone starts off doing basic soldiering,' she said, 'but there are opportunities to climb the career ladder and move into diverse areas from cooking to medical personnel.'
As well as the experience of travelling overseas with her 'soldier family' and the great support she received as a new mum in the Defence Forces, Danielle has also enjoyed some huge personal success throughout her Army career.
Chalk 2 are on irish soil! A warm welcome awaits! pic.twitter.com/yRK4Ts85dN
— Óglaigh na hÉireann (@defenceforces) November 25, 2023
'I've had such opportunities through the Army. I've done a degree in physical education through the Army in U.L... I've done a Masters in sports performance, and then I worked my way into the sport aspect of the job as well.' she said.
These days, Danielle heads up the gym for the Defence Forces, where all the physical training courses operate. It's a facility that is also used by other organisations, including the Garda ERU units and search and rescue teams train.
All things considered, a career in the Defence Forces offers far more than meets the eye. Once upon a time, it wasn't seen as a particularly attractive profession for a woman but, while female members have to maintain the same standards of physical fitness as their male counterparts, in other areas things have changed drastically.
It's far more attractive than just a great-looking uniform!
