Sean O'Riordan: Defence Forces are sleepwalking towards a staffing crisis

Inadequate pay, pensions, and conditions are driving personnel out of Ireland's Army, Air Corps, and Navy

'Sources across the Defence Forces, and particularly the navy, have predicted that the exodus of staff is only going to get worse this year.' The LÉ James Joyce at Haulbowline, Cork. File picture: Larry Cummins

Who is going to replace the leaders in the army when there are so few junior officers in its ranks?

What is going to happen when the ever-depleting backbone of the Defence Forces — its army and air corps sergeants and navy petty officers — become so rare that they cannot pass on their experience to new recruits?