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THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF RACO - REPRESENTATIVE ASSOCIATION OF COMMISSIONED OFFICERS

WINTER 2017 VOLUME 15 ISSUE 2

VIEW OF THE MIDDLE
WORLD: EAST:
THE VITAL WORK OF VIEWS FROM THE
OVERSEAS SECTION ISRAELI & PALESTINIAN
EDITOR’S LETTER
AMBASSADORS

Dear Readers,
Welcome to the Winter 2017 edition of SIGNAL Magazine.
RUNNING TO STAND STILL The RACO Biennial Delegate Conference 2017 was held on October 31st and November 1st
THE DEFENCE FORCES & THE RETENTION CRISIS IN FOCUS in Killashee House Hotel in Naas, County Kildare. The Conference, as always, had its enjoyable
social elements but the over-riding theme that was evident for any members of the media at the
RACO Delegate Conference 2017: Full Report Inside
event was the rising frustration amongst officers at the continued exodus from the organisation-
Volume 15, Issue 2 and indeed addressing that formed the central theme of the event.
Cover photograph: The first day saw an open forum style seminar with representatives from RACO’s National
Defence Forces Press Executive, academia, industry and politics debating the issues of the retention crisis and the
lamentable issues in terms of pay and conditions of service for serving members of all ranks in
the Defence Forces. The second day saw conference business and addresses to conference
Editor: by RACO General Secretary, Lt Col Earnán Naughton and RACO President Shane Keogh
Ruairi Kavanagh in addition to speeches by the Minister with Responsibility for Defence, Paul Kehoe TD and
Defence Forces COS, Vice-Admiral Mark Mellet DSM. In this issue we have a comprehensive
Consulting Editors: report on the issues facing the organisation, as discussed at conference, as well as the
Lt Col Earnán Naughton background to the current Defence Forces Industrial Relations situation.
Comdt (Ret’d) Conor Lynch Elsewhere this issue, we visited Overseas Section to talk to Lt Col Mark Hearns and his
team about the remarkable work which they do there to ensure the safe and optimum running
Design and layout: of Defence Forces operations overseas. I would like to thank Lt Col Hearns and his team of
Universal Media Agency Comdt Rob Kearney, Captain Gemma Fagan and Commandant Aine Flynn for their time and
assistance.
Commercial Artwork: Elsewhere this issue we hear the thoughts of former RACO member and retired Captain,
Rob Moran John Aherne, on the wrench of leaving the Defence Forces but also the compensation of him
having gained so many transferable skills during his time of service. We also take a look at the
Cover Design: new EU Defence Framework, PESCO, and what it will mean for nations that sign up to this
Stephanie Leone arrangement.
SIGNAL also interviewed both the Israeli and Palestinian Ambassadors about their views on
Editorial & production: the current situation in the Middle East region and how some, if any, progress can be made in
Alan Donnelly this most intractable of regional conflicts. I would like to thank H.E. Mr Ze’ev Boker and H.E.
Mr Ahmed Abdelrazek for their time and also the assistance of those in their respective offices.
Photography: As always, we would welcome any submissions or suggestions for future editions, particularly
Peter Shaughnessy those in relation to international affairs or themes of innovation involving commissioned officers.
Department of Defence May I take this time to thank all at RACO for their help during the year and to wish you all,
Defence Forces Press Office wherever you may be, a happy, rewarding and safe Christmas and New Year.

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