Stark warning Defence Forces are at historic low strength

Raco general secretary Commandant Conor King: 'The current retention crisis still gripping the Defence Forces, evidenced by the persistently high level of turnover, and the historically low strength, cannot be ignored.'

The Defence Forces are overcommitted to overseas missions, enduring a dysfunctional cycle of turnover and now at a historically low strength.

That was the stark warning delivered to Defence Minister Simon Coveney at the Raco (Representative Association of Commissioned Officers) conference from its general secretary Commandant Conor King.