Defence Forces recruitment crisis won't be resolved without urgent measures

RACO chiefs say some 86% of those leaving the army, navy and air corps are doing so before mandatory retirement dates.  Picture: Irish Naval Service Twitter

The defence forces will not get back to full strength for the foreseeable future without urgent measures to bolster retention and increase recruitment, the newly-elected president of the association representing the country's military officers has warned.

Commandant Luke Foley, the new president of the Representative Association of Commissioned Officers (RACO) said despite the best efforts of Defence Force instructors, recruitment isn't keeping pace with departures.