Squadron History

Corps Skills

Comdt. Niall Cremin took command in 1989-1994 and 1997-1998, Comdt. Seamus Killeen from 1994-1996 and 1998-1999, Comdt. Peter Marron in 1996-1997 and 2002 and Comdt. Philip Brennan from 1999-2002.

During the nineties an emphasis was again placed on Cavalry skills, with Reserve Officers and NCOs of the unit attending Troop Commanders, Troop Sergeants, Gunnery and Driving Instructors courses run by The Cavalry School.

The skills gained on these courses were put into practice when the unit was asked to participate in Cavalry Corps exercises with their PDF counterparts.

In 1994, 3 Cav. Sqn laid down a condition that it would only provide a Troop to act as 'enemy' in the '94 exercise if that Troop was given the freedom to organise its own 'tactical strategy' within the exercise framework instead of the heretofore policy of the 'enemy' appearing at a predefined time and place. The exercises in the Blackwater Valley that year proved to be very interesting indeed.

With the skills learned from the Cavalry School and some resourcefulness, the single troop from 3 Cav Sqn succeeded in 'hitting-up' the three Troops from the exercise Sqn on three routes at the same time, causing considerable hardship for the Officers in the HQ of the exercise Sqn! It's worth noting that in 1998, 3 Cav Sqn were asked to provide a Troop for the main exercise Sqn and the task of enemy was given to 5 Cav Sqn FCA. That year the tactical exercises were held in the Mayo area and at Knock Airport. On-going throughout this time the Squadron kept up its high commitment to shooting and orienteering competitions.

Officers and Men of 3 Cavalry Sqn, Connolly Barracks, Longford - after Corps Exercise - June 1998

Throughout the nineties and up to the present there has been a steady output from driver training with personnel gaining their AF154s (Army Driving Licence) for 4x4 land rover, minibus, truck, armoured car and motorcycle. Personnel from the unit are also qualified to instruct new drivers on all the vehicles mentioned, which allows for driver training to be on-going as part of routine training within the unit. It was during this time that the unit saw a welcome return of dispatch rider training with three motorcycles being assigned to the unit.

Driver Training - Motorcycle, Armoured Car and Truck

The introduction of the Steyr rifle and training on the GPMG (general purpose machine gun) helped to maintain steady numbers on training nights.

The Squadron has over the years built up a close relationship with the 12 Infantry Battalion units based in Kickham barracks. 31 Cavalry Squadron depends on the generosity of the Battalion in lending equipment in order to carry out its training programmes to the full. In turn, the Squadron, over the years, has provided their Regular counterparts with a well earned rest from Regimental Duties by providing personnel on both full-time and casual security duties. The Squadron has also proved to be a good recruiting ground for the Battalion, with many of its members having got their first taste of military life serving as members of the FCA.

From 2000 till now the unit has in a sense suffered because of the 'Celtic Tiger' in that unit members find that with the pressures of busy working lives it is harder to find time to devote to training and exercises. Young people also have more outlets for the pursuits of different interests. This is in stark contrast to the early years when there was high unemployment and few social outlets and the FCA was about the only organisation able to boost a person's income with its few weeks annual training every year and provide a place to go to do interesting training once a week and field days on a Sunday. Despite this heightened competition for people's time the unit has continued to field successful teams for the shooting and orienteering competitions and indeed the resurrected motorcycle competition this year.

In October 2005 the 3 Cavalry Squadron was stood down and was replaced by the 31 Reserve Cavalry Squadron - comprising of old 3 Cavalry Squadron and elements of 13 Infantry Battalion.