The Cavalry Corps has a significant part to play in the conventional operations of the Army. The Corps is equipped with armour to carry out its role of reconnaissance, making first contact with an enemy and providing security to the infantry in offensive and defensive operations. The key word in the Cavalry Corps is "mobility", and it enjoys a reputation of flexibility and readiness to undertake any task.
In peacetime the Cavalry carries out various duties in aid to the Civil Power, such as:
- Border operations supporting Gardai.
- Escort duties - cash, explosives, prisoner.
- Patrolling Government installations.
Even though the Equipment may have changed it is still recognised that the cavalry trooper still requires all of the skills mentioned above and with the evolution of the role to the Close Target Reconnaissance (CTR) role the skills have to be refined even further.
With the shift in the founding principles of the cavalry ethos away from fire power and the reduction in capabilities in this area due to changes in equipment it has become imperative that the skills of the cavalry unit are constantly in review and are updated regularly.
Whilst the armoued support role may have been diminished, the role of Recce Units has actually increase with a very high reliance on the latest technology including night vision equipment, ground radar, communications technology, thermal imaging equipment and computers.
The cavalry trooper has now evolved in to very capable multi skilled and very flexible soldier at all ranks and is an invaluable asset to his superiors in their need for acquisition of battlefield intelligence.
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