Naval Service Cadet

What is the Naval Service Electrical Engineer Department?

The Electrical/Electronic Department is responsible for the technical specification, selection, installation, overhaul and maintenance for all electrical, electronic, communications, ordnance equipment and systems fitted to Naval Service ships.

An Electrical Engineering Officer will be rotated between appointments allowing them to gain experience in a wide range of disciplines, ranging from power generation, communications, and information technology to advanced weapon fire control systems.

An Electrical Engineering Cadet in the Naval Service will be required to undergo a course of training of approximately twenty-one months duration and they may then be commissioned on a 3 year Short Service Commission in the rank of Ensign or Sub-Lieutenant.

Initial training involves Basic Military Training at the Cadet School, Military College, DFTC, Curragh Camp and later Naval Training at the Naval Base, Haulbowline, Co. Cork and aboard ship. The initial training is similar to the Operations Branch and Marine Engineering Cadets.

In year two (2), the Graduate Electrical Engineering Cadet will undertake short modules in the National Maritime College Ireland (NMCI) in Ringaskiddy, Cork. The modules will introduce the Cadet to naval electrical equipment and systems. During the year, the Cadet will spend a period at sea to familiarise them with the equipment in an operational environment.

While in year two (2), the non-Graduate Cadet will commence studies in either a Level 8 degree in Electrical Engineering or Electronic Engineering in Cork Institute of Technology, followed by short modules in the National Maritime College Ireland (NMCI) in Ringaskiddy, Cork.

When fully qualified as an Electrical Engineering Officer, they may be offered a full Commission without limitation as to time.

The Naval Service is fully committed to Continuous Professional Development. Subject to the exigencies of the service, Officers will be actively encouraged and facilitated to advance their studies in order to become chartered.

Eligibility Requirements to join the Cadetship:

• Applicants must be 18 years of age and under 39 years of age on closing date of application: you will be required to provide proof of your age if you progress to the next stage of the competition.
• You must be at least 5ft 2in (157.48cm) in height to be eligible. You will be measured during the selection process.
• No tattoos are to be visible above the collar while serving at the Defence Forces. This will be checked during the selection process, and you may not proceed if you have visible tattoos above your collar.
• Applicants must meet the working permit eligibility criteria to serve as part of the Defence Forces. i.e. You must have a minimum of 5 years eligibility to stay in Ireland. You will be requested to provide proof of working permit on your application.
• Must meet medical, physical and security clearance standards in which will be assessed during the recruitment process.
• Education Qualification: School Leaver or Non-Graduate Candidates
• Must possess a minimum of Grade H4 in 4 Higher Level papers, and a minimum of Grade 02 in 2 Ordinary Level papers or Grade H7 in 2 Higher Level papers. (Candidates must have obtained these grades in a single sitting of the Leaving Certificate examination for CAO computation purposes).

(i) Mathematics: Must include a minimum of Grade H4 Higher Level Paper.

(ii) Irish: Minimum Grade O6 in an Ordinary Level paper or Grade H6 in a Higher Level paper. NUI matriculation exemptions apply.

(iii) English. Minimum Grade O6 in an Ordinary Level paper or Grade H6 in a Higher Level paper. Candidates whose first language is not English must satisfy the English language requirements in accordance with NUI Matriculations Regulations.

Candidates must have achieved the minimum requirements to commence a Level 8 Degree in Electrical Engineering in MTU (e.g. 380 CAO Points in 2026) or Electronic Engineering in MTU (e.g. 347 CAO Points in 2026)

Candidates must also have attained a minimum of Grade H4 in 4 Higher Level papers, and a minimum of Grade 02 in 2 Ordinary Level papers or Grade H7 in 2 Higher Level papers, a candidate may use the results of another sitting of the Leaving Certificate for the minimum educational requirements in (i) to (iii) above.

Where a School Leaver applicant is undertaking an engineering programme in Electrical / Electronic Engineering at Level 8 of the NFQ, they may be facilitated in continuing their training to complete an engineering programme in Electrical / Electronic Engineering at Level 8 of the NFQ in a college nominated by the Flag Officer Commanding Naval Service.

Where a School Leaver applicant has undertaken / is undertaking a Level 8 NFQ qualification not specified above, they may seek a determination that the course of study meets the requirements subject to submitting, suitable evidence of equivalence, to Defence Forces Recruitment Section, Defence Forces Headquarters, Department of Defence, Station Road, Newbridge, Co. Kildare, W12 AD93, for the Flag Officer Commanding Naval Service’s determination.

• Graduate Candidates: Graduate Candidatesmust have successfully completed a Bachelor Degree programme at Level 8 or higher of the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ).

For detailed information about the Cadetship, please refer to the Terms and Conditions attached to this advertisement