The 2011 Annual General Meeting of The Association(see Notice and Agenda opposite) will be held onSaturday 1st October 2011. Members are encouragedto attend and avail of the opportunity to meet theExecutive Committee and renew old friendships.A lunch with wine (gratis) will be provided in theOfficers Mess after the meeting. A copy of the minutesof the 2010 AGM are enclosed.

An Claoimh Gaisciochta the ARCO sword for the best Cadets (Armyand Air Corps) were presented by Col Brian O’Connor, Retd,President of ARCO, to Lt Edward McGuire, (Army) and by Lt ColRichard Cummins, Retd, to Lt Barcoe, (Air Corps), at their respectiveCommissioning ceremonies held in the Curragh Gymnasium, DFTC,in March and Casement Aerodrome in 2011 . (See back page forphotos)

Members of the EExxeeccuuttiivvee CCoommmmiitttteeee represented ARCO at variousState and Defence Forces events during 2010/2011. The Presidentand members of the EXCOM met with the new Minister for Defence,Mr Alan Shatter, TD, in the Department of Defence, Newbridge inApril 2011. Annual formal meetings were held with the GeneralStaff, Secretary General, DOD and RACO. Further meetings will beheld later this year. A group of six members of ARCO attended thewreath laying ceremony at the war Memorial, Islandbridge, whereAn tUachtarain, M. McAleese and Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth IIlaid wreaths to commemorate Irishmen and women lost in conflicts.

CCAAOOGGAA have changed their cover for members, due to subscriptionand underwriting concerns. Details have been posted on ourwebsite to each member by snail mail. Due to changes inprivate health costs members should access the website;http://www.hia.ie/ci/health-insurance-comparison/search-result/47-111-68 to assess the relative value ofeach scheme on offer.

AAcccceessss yyoouurr rreejjuuvveennaatteedd wweebbssiittee ffoorr uupp ttoo ddaattee iinnffoorrmmaattiioonn aatt

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ARCO 17th Annual GeneralMeeting – McKee Barracks

Saturday 1st October 2011

newsletterARCO Web Site: wwwwww..iiaarrccoo..iinnffooIssue No: 21. Autumn 2011

NOTICE TO MEMBERSThe 17th Annual General Meeting of the Association ofRetired Commissioned Officers (ARCO) will be held inthe Auditorium, Defence Forces School of Catering,Mc Kee Barracks, Blackhorse Avenue, D7, on Saturday1st October 2011 at 11.30 hrs

AGENDA

1. Opening Address by President, ARCO2. Minutes of 16th AGM –09/10/103. President’s Report4. Report of the Hon. Secretary5. Report of the Hon. Treasurer to include audited

A/Cs6. Report of the Hon. Membership Secretary7. Appointment of Auditor8. Elections to Executive Committee9. Brief on ARCO Strategic Review10. Increase in Annual Subscription11. Future Amendment of Rules12. Any other business.

Joe Ahern, Lt Col 15 Hermitage Close,Hon. Secretary Rathfarnham, Dublin 16ARCO Tel: 086 806 4251

Email: joepahern@gmail.com

Attending the AGM? Need lunch?

Coffee will be available in the Officer’s Mess from1030hrs. A light lunch with wine (gratis) will beserved after the meeting. Those wishing to partake oflunch are requested to notify the Hon. Secretary on orbefore 26th September 2011.

• Don’t forget to bring your I.D card tofacilitate your entry into Bks•

Not attending? Apologies from those unable to attendwill be read out on the day. These can be conveyed to

the Hon. Secretary, contact details above.

Cumann na nlar - Oifigeach Coimisiúnta

Association of Retired Commissioned Officers

2

A Walk Around The PlainsBy Wesley Bourke

Photographs by Airman Greg Dorney

The Curragh Plains is a vast expanse, renownedthroughout the world for its beauty, horseracing,historical monuments and its unique flora and fauna.As members of the Defence Forces, we know it fordifferent reasons – range practices, military coursesand exercises. Over the years, the military hasbecome part of the Curragh, and the Curragh partof us.

The legendary Fianna are said to have to met on the nearby Hill ofAllen,King Henry II camped here in 1171 on his way to Dublin,the Jacobite Army I trained here in 1686-7 and the British, afterestablished a permanent post in 1855, trained and billetedthousands of soldiers before shipping them out to fight in theBoer War (1899-1902) and in World War 1(1914-18).

Now, after several years of research and planning, the CurraghCamp has its own museum, where you can take in the manymarvels of this magnificent geographical and historical site. Theexhibit covers all aspects of Curragh life and Comdt MiriamMcCann (director) and Sgt Charlie Walsh (curator) gave us a tourof this excellent facility, located in an old stable, situated justacross from the camp's Centra store. It has taken a few years topull together,' said Comdt McCann, 'and during the initialplanning, we had to ensure we took in all aspects of the Curragh- military, civilian, equitation, conservation and archaeology.'

The museum is sub-divided into three distinct sections coveringthe Environment encompassing the local archaeology, flora andfauna, the British military presence up to 1922 and the DefenceForces since 1922. To start you off, visitors can catch a shortaudio-visual film that sets the tone for your visit with somemagnificent aerial shots of the surrounding hinterland, includingthe ring fort at Dun Ailinne, which was once part of the Curragh.

The ample grasslands and the aquifer (guaranteed source ofwater) underneath were the main reasons why the British built acamp here. The plains also boast some unique flora, only found inthis part of the world. Plants like bog thistle and broad-leaved bogcotton aside, we (soldiers) have a tendency to think in Militaryterms and as Sgt Walsh spoke about the narrow-leaved marshorchid (protected by a EU Habitat Directive) and the 159 differenttypes of butterfly, our attention was quickly drawn to an array ofvintage firearms on display close-by.

Here, we had a Brown Bess musket - one of the longest servingfirearms in British Army service, a Martini Henry rifle - brought tofame for its quick firing rate of fire in the later 1800s and aBlunder Buss musket - one of Sgt Walsh's favourite pieces in themuseum.

Charlie explained that weapons like it where used by the UnitedIrishmen in the 1798 rebellion. Following the failed rebellion, therebels seeking terms with the British forces gathered at the rath.

One rebel fearing death cleared his weapon, which the Britishtook as a sign of an imminent attack and returned fire killing over350 rebels and injuring countless others. Sgt Walsh also pointedout that this Blunder Buss has an added feature of a trip wireattached to the trigger, used as a bobby-trap against poachers.

The Curragh Camp then had some 6,000 British troops and withinthe British Army section there is a wealth of uniforms, medals,swords, flags and memorabilia from their time in the Curragh, butpride of place goes to a beautifully restored, short grand piano.Built for Judge Srnithly in 1895, the Essex Regiment brought it tothe Curragh in 1905 and subsequently left the piano behind. Itwas found a number of years back in the old band room.

From the entirecollection, threeof my favouriteswere theBeaveretteArmoured Carused by theDefence Forcesafter World War IIand preserved bythe Cavalry Corps;the last British flagto fly over theCurragh Camp in1922 - a monument in itself to Irish history, and the Military Medalfor Gallantry (with Honour), again another one of Sgt Walsh'sfavourites. 'This is the only place in the world where this is ondisplay. We are very lucky to have it. Nobody has ever beenawarded this medal.'

As curator, Sgt Walsh is the man in charge and he ensures themuseum is open for business, conducting tours with the help ofvolunteers. For Comdt McCann though, her normal job is as a CISofficer and as she outlined, it was a real challenge when she tookon the project. 'When I first got involved, I hadn't really thoughtof history much. In fact, the last time I studied history was when Iwas back in school. But, as we began to select the pieces fordisplay and their stories associated with each one, I found myselfbecoming more and more intrigued and wanting to know more.'

As she spoke, Comdt McCann guided us to a glass cabinetbetween the British and Defence Forces sections. 'Here we haveFrank Kelly, Josef Lawless and Denis Barry,' Comdt McCannoutlined. 'Frank came from Kilculleb, just outside the Curragh andwent on to fight in World War I with the Dublin Fusiliers. He wasone of 50,000 Irishmen to die in that war. Beside his picture is thewidow's penny that was sent to his wife. He was killed onOctober 23rd 1916 aged 35. Next to him is IRA man JosefLawless, interned in Rath Camp during the War of Independence(1920-22). He escaped and went on to join the Free State Army.He eventually became Director of Cavalry and his grandson,Comdt Frank Lawless, is the current Chief of Staff's Personal StaffOfficer.

3

Finally, we have Denis Barry who was a commandant in the CorkIRA. He fought on the Republican side during the Civil War andhe was the last man to die on hunger strike in 1923. Here youhave three Irishmen, all fighting for different causes, but all linkedto the Curragh.'

Moving on, some of the photographs on display from the early20th century are amazing. The Curragh Camp then had some6,000 British troops and 4,000 civilians living in it.

Apart from the obvious barracks, drill sheds; stables and messes,there were shops, cinemas, a swimming pool, schools andbarbers. The standard accommodation then where woodenbillets, though none are standing anymore. The photographsindicate how at times, these billets were adapted into marriedquarters for a soldier who had a wife and children. In most cases,the only privacy the family had was a simple curtain at the end ofthe billet from the rest of its inhabitants.

Next, we view a sword found behind a water tank a numbers ofyears back by a BFW (Barrack Foreman Workshop) man, while hewas working in Ceannt Officers Mess. This sword belonged to aCanadian, Trooper Felix Charvin, a member of the VeterinaryCorps. Sgt Walsh suspects the sword was probably stolen fromCharvin and hidden. Next, we fast-forward 20 years to TheEmergency when Ireland remained neutral during World War II(1939-45). As a result, Allied and Axis airmen and sailors whohad the misfortune to either crash land or sink off or over the IIrish coast, were interned in the Curragh Camp. Here, on displayis a photograph, cap and personal effects belonging to I GermanSgt Maj Arthur Voigt, who crash-landed in his Heinkel bomberand was subsequently interned.

The Allied and Axis internees, if they behaved, would be grantedday passes for the Curragh races or a day trip to Dublin by theirIrish Army captors and on one such furlong, love blossomed forthis German airman. Arthur met and fell in love with SheilaMcElroy. After the war, he returned home, but he escaped Sovietoccupied Germany and made it back to Ireland. He marriedSheila, raised a family and worked for Bord na Mona. As fatewould have it, his daughter married an army officer, now retiredComdt Pat Healy.

For most civilians when you mention the Curragh, they think ofhorse racing. The museum has a fitting tribute to the horsesoldier, who has galloped on these open plains for over 150years. Placed on the original stable floor is a model of a horseand rider.

Sport has alwaysbeen an integral partof a soldier's life andthe museumhonours their valiantefforts on the pitch.For GAA fans, thereis a fine collection ofAll-Ireland medalsand sportsmemorabiliabelonging to famousmilitary sportsmenlike JJ O'Reilly, who took part in the 1947 All-Ireland final, played

in New York, and the late Chief of Staff, Lt Gen Dermot EarleyDSM, who played for Roscommon.

Though not technically a museum exhibit, Sgt Walsh noted thatthe modern Defence Forces uniforms and weapons are a bigdraw for the public. 'They are fascinated with all the kit we have.The weapons, how much they weigh and even the ration packs. Idon't think people realise we are a modern army.' But, if anyone isunsure of the role we have played, and the sacrifices paid by ourtroops as peacekeepers abroad, visitors only have to view theoverseas section. Eighty-five soldiers, 22 from the Curragh, havedied on overseas service. 'A few months ago: Charlie continued,'we had a British Surgeon General in. He was really taken abackwhen he saw the roll of honour. He said people in the BritishArmy are unaware of the contribution our Defence Forces havemade overseas. He said he was going to make sure and tellthem.'

A poignant reminder of the destruction of war is a GeneralPurpose Machine Gun, damaged in 1999 following a 120mmmortar attack on OP 638 Alpha, occupied by troops from theCurragh in Lebanon.

Everyone will love the Congo exhibit marking our first overseastroops mission over 50 years ago. To help us understand andexplain some of the items on display, two Congo veterans calledin and shared their experience. Sgt Maj Willie Redmond and SgtJohn Hurley were radio operators and they demonstrated howthey communicated using Morse code with other foreign troopcontingents and back to Ireland. It was a treat and. a real displayof living history.

Now every museumhas its piece deresistance, the envyof other museumsand the Curragh isproud to hold anarray of weaponsfrom the ChesterBeatty collection.Visitors will be ableto examine thecraftsmanship anddetail I on a 14th century samurai sword and a breathtakingTunisian flintlock pistol. Though only open a few months andwith more people visiting the museum each week, ComdtMcCann outlined their plans to expand. 'So far it has been a hugesuccess and we have plans drawn up to take in several of thevintage armoured cars that the Cavalry Corps have restored. Weintend to display Michael Collins' armoured car, Beal na mBlath.We are delighted with the response we have received so far. Weare very happy the way the museum has become such anattraction, bringing together all aspects of life in the Curragh.'

Since this article was written Comdt Mick Moore has taken overas the museum director. The museum would like to thank Prof.John Feeling, Shven Coberman, Reggie Darling, Lar Joye andGlen Thompson for all their help in bringing the museum to life.

Contact: Phone 045-445342 or emailcharlie.walsh@defenceeforces.ie

As the evenings drawshorter and the

temperatures drop, the inevitabilityof approaching winter is beyondbeing ignored. The time ofrespiratory infections, coughs andcolds is nigh!

As the evenings draw shorter and thetemperatures drop, the inevitability ofapproaching winter is beyond beingignored. The time of respiratoryinfections, coughs and colds is nigh!

These infections are either bacterial orviral and it is helpful to understanding therational of medical advice given if you areaware of the difference between bacteriaand viruses.

Bacteria are cellular organisms which varygreatly in their structures but which havecommon features such as a nucleus,intracellular materials and a cell wall orenvelope. In appropriate temperaturesand nutritional environments they arecapable of reproducing themselves,usually by growing and dividing, over andover again. When that environment is apart of our body where they producesymptoms of illness, we regard thesebacteria as pathogens.

Viruses, on the other hand, are evensimpler structures. Again they vary hugelyin their structures and complexity but theyare essentially strings of DNA or RNAprotein with a protective coat. They needto invade living cells to obtain thenecessary protein materials for their ownreproduction and, as such, they are theultimate parasites.

Most common “coughs and colds” areinitiated by viral infections. The virus isspread by droplet spay from someonewho is already infected and it either getsdirectly into your mouth or nose or, morecommonly, falls onto a non-absorbentsurface which you subsequently touchand then introduce to your own mouth alittle later. This is why hand hygiene is soimportant at times of colds and fluoutbreaks.

When our body comes up against a virusour defence mechanisms come into playand, having learnt how to produce thespecific antibody to the invading virus, it

does so as rapidly as possible. Thisprocess is speeded up by a higher bodytemperature, which is why we often runtemperatures with infections. We feel coldand shivery as our body surfacecirculation closes down in a form of self-insulation and muscles contractinvoluntarily to generate heat.Subsequently we need to lose this extraheat, our surface blood vessels dilate andwe sweat profusely. In most commonrespiratory infections this cycle repeatsitself a few times over a period of two tothree days. (As most parents will know,this is always much more dramatic in smallchildren as they have a much smaller ratioof surface area to body mass than adultsand so aren’t efficient radiators.) Havinglearned to make the specific antibody, ourbodies can subsequently reproduce themquickly and without the drama of hightemperatures if there is ever again contactwith the same virus. This is the basis ofacquired natural immunity andimmunization.

Colds and influenzas are virus infections.The problem with cold viruses is thatthere are many strains and they mutate, orchange their protein structures, quitefrequently and consequently we have littleimmunity to them. Influenza viruses aregenerally more virulent and, dependingon the strain, pose a bigger threat to ourhealth.

They also mutate but do so more slowlyand so it is generally possible to produce avaccine each year that will protect youagainst the currently endemic strains.Bacterial infections are more commonlysecondary invaders of the respiratorytract. A throat or bronchus that has beenmade raw by a viral infection is happyhunting ground for bacteria likestreptococcus or pneumococcus. As withviruses, our bodies will produceantibodies to attack the bacteria butadditionally there is a mobilization of whiteblood cells which ingest the bacteria,producing the green or yellow material weknow as pus.

Antibiotics revolutionized the treatment ofbacterial infections since WWII butbacteria have shown a remarkable abilityto develop resistance to each newantibiotic and an ability to transfer thatresistance from one strain to another.Hence, and as a result of misuse andoveruse of antibiotics , we are faced withthe terrifying phenomena of MRSA, C diffand other “super bugs”.

Key points then:

1.Antibiotics are of no valueagainst viral infections.

2.There are increasingnumbers of antiviraldrugs becomingavailable but theyare of limited valuein common acuteinfections - and veryexpensive.

3.The best defence againstseasonal flu is to get immunizedin good time.

4.Influenza immunization will protect youagainst flu but not common coldviruses.

5.If you do get a viral respiratory infectionyou can expect to have symptoms suchas a sore throat, non productive coughwith clear/white sputum and probably a

temperature of about 38oC. (More

likely 39-40o in influenza). Treatment istwo paracetamol 6 hourly, lots of fluidsand rest. If you are running atemperature, the paracetamol willtrigger your sweating mechanism afterhalf an hour or so and you will feel hotand sweaty for a while. When yourtemperature is going up you feel coldand shivery. Follow your instincts anddrink warm fluids when you are coldand cold fluids when you are hot.Headache is common with atemperature. The paracetamol will helpto relieve it and cold sponging yourhead/ forehead is very effective. If youfind cough bottles soothing, fire ahead.I think honey and lemon is as good asyou will get. If your nose is streamingtry Actifed, Sudafed or Sinutab tablets,following the manufacturer’sinstructions, but be aware that they areall sedating.

6.Development of a bacterial infection isusually recognizable by thedevelopment of green/yellow sputumor sepsis in the tonsils or tonsil beds.

7.If your GP prescribes an antibiotic bediligent in taking the full course.Shortened courses can result in partialclearance of the infection which maythen re-establish itself in a few days - orthe acquisition of resistance to theantibiotic, storing up trouble for yourselfat some later date.

4

Winter GermsCol (Retd) M. Collins,

MICGP FFOM

5

October 2010 saw the signing ofthe much awaited contract for thedesign and build of two new 90mOffshore Patrol vessels. Thecontract forms part of The NavalService fleet replacementprogramme. It reflects a positivestatement by Government to theimportance of delivering effectiveDefence, Security and otherservices in Ireland’s Maritimedomain and beyond where theState has an interest.

The vessels are to be built by BabcockMarine in Appledore, North Devon, to adesign from STX Canada, which iseffectively an enlarged version of thetried and tested Long Patrol Vessels(LPV’S) that have been in service since1999. LÉ Róisin and LÉ Niamh were builtin the Appledore yard in 1999 and 2000respectively. The new vessels are to bedelivered in January 2014 and January2015 and will be constructed and testedto Lloyds 100A1 LMC UMS PSMRDP(CM) NAV1 IWS Patrol Mono, G6(Unlimited range) for special service craft.The contract allows for the option of athird vessel.

The vessels have been lengthened toallow for the complement of 54 personnel(44 Ships Company and 10 trainees) andthe carriage of containers. They will becapable of autonomous operation forperiods up to 21 days. Displacement isestimated at 1900 tonnes.

Officers and Senior NCO’s will havesingle berths, with double berths forleading hands and other ratings. Two fourberth cabins are fitted for trainees. Thevessel beam has been maintained at 14mand the vessels have a slightly larger draft

than theirpredecessors at3.8m. The propulsionsystem allows forspeeds up to 23knotsfrom its’ two Wartsilamedium speed dieselengines which arecapable ofdeveloping 5440kWeach via reductiongearboxes and two 5bladed controllablepitch propellers. Thevessels will have a range of 6,000 nauticalmiles at a cruising speed of 15knots.Testing of the power requirement hasbeen achieved using computational fluiddynamic (CFD) modelling and verified atmodel testing which was completed inMarch 2011 at a test tank facility inLyngby, Denmark. The Vessels are alsocapable of low speed operation of up to 8kts through a Power take in (PTI) motor,driven from the electrical alternators andconnected to each of the reductiongearboxes. This will reduce considerablythe fuel burnt when the vessel is engagedin routine operations.

The ship will incorporate a 450kW bowthruster and 45degree to 45degreeindependent movement of the rudders toachieve high manoeuvrability in closequarter situations. This will be augmentedby a Dynamic Positioning (DP) capabilityfor remaining on station for underwaterremote operated vehicle (ROV)operations.

Power generation will be from three630kW alternators with an emergencysupplies from a smaller air cooled 320 kWalternator set. To improve crew comfortand allow for roll reduction for boatoperations a combination of stabiliser finsand anti-heel tanks are being fitted, thelatter being used to reduce roll at slow

speeds where the stabiliser fins areineffective.

The vessels have been designed to caterfor the transport of three 20 footcontainers on the afterdeck which isserved by a large 5 tonne crane at 9.56mradius.

The vessels will carry two 8 metre RigidHull inflatable boats (RHIB’s), port andstarboard and have a cradle above theafter deck for a third RHIB. These will bedeployed from single point davits and willbe capable of operation at speeds of upto 30kts up to Sea state 4 . The RHIB’swill be capable of transporting 10personnel each.

The vessels will carry a 76mm OTOMelara as primary armament and will becontrolled by an Electro Optical firecontrol system. Secondary armament willbe via two 20mm Rheinmetall cannonfitted port and starboard abaft the bridge.Mountings will also be fitted for HeavyMachine Guns and General PurposeMachine guns on the main deck and 01deck.

The Vessels have been designed for anominal service life of 25 years in theNorth Atlantic and will replace the patrolvessels that have operated as true workhorses for in excess of thirty years.

Cdr M. Moran, NS

New offshorePatrol Vessels for the

Naval Service

6

A recent Survey portrayed Irishconsumers as emotional financialdecision makers, with worry andguilt driving their financial choices.

According to the survey by CaledonianLife, sixty present (60%) of Irish brokerssay that a sense of worry was the biggestdriver for clients opting to take out lifeassurance. While worry about beingprepared, if something bad happened wasa significant factor, thirty-four percent(34%) of respondents took a morepractical approach and purchasedfinancial products, including lifeassurance, because they felt that they area necessity and wanted to take a proactiveapproach to financial planning.

We as officers in the Defence Forces owemuch to the foresight of Capt. BillO’Carroll who in 1949, when seeing theplight of the widow of an officer in the 2Infantry Battalion, Cathal Brugha Barracks,forced to raise a family on a pension thatwas a quarter of her officer husband’ssalary set up CAOGA. CAOGA provideslife assurance cover for officers of theDefence Forces.

The CAOGA Scheme set up back then isthe corner stone of CAOGA, almost sixtyyears on, today. The principals and valuesgoverning the running of CAOGA areunchanged today. In his case to themilitary authorities, concerning the settingup of CAOGA, which pays out a deathbenefit of approximately ¤20,000, BillO’Carroll intuitively stated that thisFriendly Societies Benefit should not be areplacement for other insurance. Hiswords of caution have come to pass withthe setting up of the Group Life

Assurance Scheme in 1979, which nowpays out a benefit of ¤350,000 in theevent of the death of a member.

While the Caledonian 2011 survey, seesthe Irish as emotional financial decisionmakers, the emotion driving officers’decisions in joining CAOGA, is a genuinedesire to protect his or her loved ones, inthe event of the death of a key familymember – a mature and responsibledecision made in the interest of onesfamily. By joining the CAOGA GroupScheme, as young officers we areassuming collective responsibility for thewelfare of ourselves and our colleagues.

With the demise of the Celtic Tiger we asa nation are reassessing our priorities andvalues and realising, that the health,wellbeing and financial security are ourtop priorities. The pressures of post tigerIreland is greatly adding to the stress inpeoples live and we are now, even morethan ever, asking if we have madeadequate provision for our families in theevent of the death of either spouse. Alltypes of Insurance have become moreexpensive, and customers are puttingneed above greed and realising, that inthe event of the death of a loved one, onerequires adequate and affordable lifecover.

The latest Group Life Assurance Plan,underwritten by Generali was negotiatedby the CAOGA Committee on behalf ofyou, the members, cognisant of thecurrent financial climate and the desire toensure that members with greatest needare adequately covered.

Retaining our membership base has neverbeen more important and whether you are

a cadet, a serving captain or a retiredcolonel, your membership is valued. Forthe first time, cadets will be covered freeof charge with the benefit of ¤30,000,provided they sign up to the groupscheme at first opportunity. At a timewhen welfare and pension entitlementsare no longer cast in stone, it has neverbeen more important for officers to bemembers of the CAOGA Group LifeAssurance Plan.

Members must join the COAGA GroupAssurance at earliest opportunity to availof the CAOGA Group Benefits. Thedecision to cut benefits for members inthe over sixty (60) categories was nottaken lightly. It was reached followingintensive negotiations by the CAOGAcommittee with our broker, based on a 3year risk analysis of the numbers ofofficers entering the various age brackets.Given the age profile of current CAOGAmembers and the very large numbersentering the 60 plus age bracket in theimmediate future, it was assessed thatpaying the benefits available under thecontract which expired on the 31stAugust 2011, would not be prudent goingforward.

Decisions were made in the interest ofprotecting the viability of the Group LifeAssurance Plan in the coming years. Themain factor which influenced therecosting of our Group Protection LifeAssurance Plan, was the recent highclaims experience, for members in theages of 50-65 years, in 2010 and to date,in 2011. The adjustment of the benefit formembers in the 61-65 age bracket to¤200,000 was again carefully considered,to ensure adequate benefits at anaffordable cost. The increased premiums

Worry and Guilt or CollectiveResponsibility

CAOGA Group Life Assurance Membership - A No Brainer.

By Comdt Pauline O’Connell

for spouse members is directly related toour recent high claims history amongspouse members. The very significantdecrease in benefits for members in the66-74 year brackets came about followingan actuarial risk analysis of the largenumbers of officers entering thesebrackets relative to our membership base,over the period of the new contract.Agreement was reached following aunanimous vote by the CAOGACommittee and your ARCOrepresentative was also party to alldiscussions and decisions.

Research shows that we are the onlygroup life assurance plan in the countryproviding life cover to people over 65years of age. (The GRA provide an “Endof Life Cover” of ¤10,000 to age 70) Ourbenefits are also greater that those beingpaid by any other Group Life AssurancePlan.

Please be assured that the CAOGAcommittee are committed to getting thebest deal possible for members of allages. It is interesting to note, that the levelof claims experienced by CAOGA overthe past eighteen (18) months, is reflectedin all Group Life Assurance plans inIreland. It is hoped that this high claimsexperience will improve over the periodof the coming contract and that this willbe reflected in premiums going forward.

While the rules governing the running ofCAOGA, set up under the FriendlySocieties Act have stood the test of time,

the CAOGA committee, with legal adviceis at present, conducting a root andbranch review of our rules, to ensure theirrelevance to the trends and changes inIrish society today. Legislative changesbrought about by the enactment of theCivil Partnership Act (Civil Partnership andCertain Rights and Obligations ofCohabitants Act, 2010) will be fullyreflected in the amended rules. Likewise,all measures necessary will be adopted toensure, the increase and retention of ourmembership base in the future.

CAOGA is in the process of launching anew content based interactive website inorder to communicate more efficientlywith our members. The website isdesigned to make CAOGA moreaccessible to all officers and we will bekeeping you updated on developmentsvia mail shot. You will also be able to emailus any of your queries or worriesregarding your personal CAOGA coverand we will undertake to revert to you assoon as possible. If you have not alreadycontacted the CAOGA office with yourpersonal email address, please email us atinfo@caoga-defenceforces.com

While the environment in which we findourselves may have changed dramaticallyin the past few years, the tenetsgoverning CAOGA remain essentially thesame. CAOGA is an organisationdedicated to the collective welfare of theofficer body. CAOGA is for all officers andyou the Retained Officers are a veryimportant grouping in the COAGA family.CAOGA is committed to working for yourfamily’s protection now and in the future.

Should you have any queries orconcerns in relation to CAOGA,please do not hesitate to contactus in the CAOGA office. Allqueries are dealt with in strictestconfidence at 01-8042785 / 2786.

7

E: info@caoga-defenceforces.com

8

Michael Barcoe, from Dundrum, Co. Dublin was born on17th March 1985. The youngest of four, he was educated atSt Benildus College, Stillorgan and completed a Bachelor ofEngineering (Mech) degree in DIT before joining the AirCorps. He was awarded his presidential commission andmilitary pilot wings on 9th December 2010, Since hiscommissioning Lt Barcoe has been operating in 104Squadron on the Cessna FR172.

Michael was also presented with the Arco Sword foraccomplishing the highest standard in combined flying andground school training in his cadet class by Lt Col RichardCummins, ARCO.

Deceased OfficersOur condolences to the families and friends ofthose comrades who passed away since our lastNewsletter went to print:Cdr Liam Ahern 09 March 2011Comdt Des Butler 28 March 2011Comdt John Griffin 05 April 2011Col Joseph Reynolds 06 April 2011Lt Col Fiachra Mc Gingley 06 April 2011Lt Col Michael McDermott 04 May 2011Lt Col Des O’Neill 02 July 2011 Comdt Kerry Sloan 01 August 2011 Col Denis Boyle 04 August 2011 Lt Col Larry Cooke 05 August 2011 Lt Col F. Steward 20 August 2011

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a n-Anamacha

Col Billy O’HaraCol Andrew KilfeatherCol Joseph MinogueCol Jim FoleyCapt Niall TwomeyComdt James Hunt

Comdt Gerard Ahern Lt Col Raymond Roche Comdt Patrick Brennan Lt Comdr Timothy O'KeeffeComdt Daniel Crowley

EDITOR’S NOTEThe newsletter is issued in Spring and Autumn. Articles or

items of interest are always welcome. If you have something tocontribute please send it to the editor atbrianandsheila@eircom.net or post to

Col B. O’Connor (Retd) 92 The Paddocks, Naas, Co. Kildare.

Best Air Corps Cadet

Lt Edward McGuire is 28 yearsof age and comes from GalwayCity. He is the eldest son ofArthur and Bernadette and hasone brother. He attended St.Joseph’s College in Galwayand went on to undertake botha Bachelor of EngineeringDegree and a Higher Diplomain Business Studies at NUIGalway.

On commissioning he willserve in the 4th CavalrySquadron, Custume Barracks,Athlone.

Best Army Cadet

Welcome to ARCO’s New Members:

Lt Col K. Cotter Lt Col J. TolanLt Col W. Harrington Lt Col M. SmithLt Col S. Mc Dermott Lt Col M. Meehan

Cdr H. Tully

Defence Forces Promotions

New Zealand Bound

Congratulations to the sons ofthree ARCO members whomade the Irish Rugby squad forthe World Cup in New Zealand.

Jamie Heaslip, father Richard (Col Retd) and motherChristine, living in Naas, Co. Kildare.

Geordan Murphy, father George (Col Retd) andmother Cecily, living in Naas, Co. Kildare.

Fergus McFadden, father Tim (Comdt Retd), motherEllenour, living in Cutbush, Co. Kildare.

Lt Col to Col

Cdr to Capt (NS)

Now available, cost €50 from Comdt Pat Casey, McKeeOfficers Club, Co McKee Officers Mess, McKee Bks, Dublin 7.

Chiefs of Staff, Portrait Collection