Note: This scheme is available only to those NCOs of Sgt rank or higher (Army & Air Corps) who completed all career courses before, and haven’t completed any career courses since September 2012.

1. The Leadership Management and Defence Studies (LMDS) programme for enlisted personnel (Army & Air Corps) commenced in September 2012. Under this programme, enlisted personnel who complete career courses from September 2012 onwards may avail of the opportunity to earn accredited awards from SETU (formerly IT Carlow).

• DF personnel who completed all career courses prior to September 2012, or those who had not completed a career course since September 2012, have to date had no opportunity to engage with the LMDS programme or seek accreditation and validation of their training and education.

• In consultation with SETU, Carlow Campus, the second Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) programme will take place in Sep 2023, to provide this cohort of NCOs with the opportunity to engage with the programme. RPL can be used for access to education, exemption from elements of an academic programme, advanced entry to an academic programme or the awarding of academic credits, either for specific modules or full awards. In order to complete an RPL to gain credits or awards, students must demonstrate how they have achieved the minimum learning outcomes associated with the award; This can include a written submission by the student, where through reflection, they must explain how and when they have achieved these outcomes.
• The RPL programme provides personnel with the opportunity to earn one of two awards through completion of the following academic processes:
  • RPL leading to a Level 7 Minor Award in LMDS (30 ECTS at Level 7): This award is open to NCOs of Sgt -rank who had completed their All Arms Standard Course (or equivalent) prior to September 2012 and have completed no further career courses (Senior NCO or Logistics equivalent). Personnel will be required to demonstrate that, through non-validated DF training and education and through work based learning, they have achieved the learning outcomes associated with the All Arms Standard Course and a relevant Corps Standard Course. This RPL will be comprised of the following:

1. Appointment of a SETIJ RPL coordinator. Students may avail of facilitation meetings with their coordinator.
2. All students will complete a one day academic writing workshop, delivered by SETU.
3. All students must complete an RPL portfolio. Students should be prepared to commit to completion of the RPL over a minimum of a four month duration.

• RPL Portfolio and Dissertation/Research Paper leading to a Level 7 BA LMDS or BA LMDS (Logistics) Award (60 ECTS) for those NCOs of CS/FS, CQMS/FQMS rank or higher who had completed their Senior NCO Course or Logistics equivalent course pre-2012. Personnel will be required to demonstrate that, through non-validated DF training and education and through work based learning, they have achieved the learning outcomes associated with the All Arms Standard Course and a relevant Corps Standard Course and a Senior NCO Course or Logistics equivalent course. This will be comprised of the following:

1. RPL Portfolio:
2. Appointment of a SETU RPL coordinator. Students may avail of facilitation meetings with their coordinator.
3. All students will complete a one day academic writing workshop, delivered by SETU.
4. All students must complete an RPL portfolio. Students should be prepared to commit to completion of the RPL over a minimum of a four month duration.

ii.         Research/Dissertation Paper:

• Will be completed subsequent and in addition to the RPL Portfolio.
• All students will complete a research methods block of instruction, delivered by SETU. During this, students will begin to prepare a research proposal.
• All students will complete a 5,000 word research dissertation. This research will be conducted in line with TI 05/2021 DF Research Policy. DF Dissertation Supervisors will be appointed from each formation. Associated timelines will be set by the DF Registrar’s office, however, students should be prepared to commit to the completion of the dissertation over a minimum of a six month duration.

• Qualifying Criteria:
  • Army & Air Corps NCO of minimum Sgt rank on date of discharge.
  • Must have completed career courses prior to September 2012:
• Up to All Arms Standard NCO (or Equivalent) course for those NCOs of Sgt rank;

ii.         Up to Senior NCO course or Logistics Accountancy Course Module 1 and 2 for CS/FS, CQMS/FQMS or higher rank.

• Due to funding, supervisor requirements and the capacity of this office and SETU to support this project, places for 2023 will be limited to five retired personnel. J1 Branch will be consulted to confirm retirement dates supplied by applicants.

• The cost associated is €1000 for students completing the BA LMDS and €700 for students completing the Minor Award.

• An online information event will be held on the 25th May 2023 to outline the RPL and dissertation process as well as the support mechanisms that will be provided to personnel who are considering whether to undergo this programme. The event will be hosted by the DF Registrar’s Office and SETU on Microsoft Teams and a public link will be distributed prior to the event. Personnel wishing to join the event will need to do so through a civilian email address.

• Retired personnel wishing to apply to avail of this opportunity should complete the application form in Annex A. All applications for retired personnel should be forwarded to registrar@defenceforces.ie NLT 12 Jun 2023.
• Original Letter and Annex A can be downloaded here: