The Irish Defence Forces Podcast

In this episode, we speak with Sgt Mark Fitzpatrick and Cpl Colin McQuaid of the 27th Infantry Battalion Sniper Team, following their impressive performance at the 2026 International Sniper Competition in Fort Benning, Georgia.

Competing against some of the world’s leading sniper teams, the 27th Infantry Battalion team finished 5th overall and won Best International Team. An outstanding achievement and one that continues the long tradition of Irish Defence Forces teams performing to an exceptionally high standard at this prestigious competition.

Sgt Fitzpatrick and Cpl McQuaid discuss the preparation, teamwork, discipline and challenges involved in competing at the highest level, as well as what it means to represent the Irish Defence Forces on the international stage.

Listen as we go behind the scenes of the competition and hear first-hand about the experience from members of the team.
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In this week’s episode, we hear the remarkable story of Corporal Dylan Quigg, a 28th Infantry Battalion soldier based at Finner Camp in Co Donegal, who has come out on top in one of the toughest military competitions in the United States.

Cpl Quigg beat strong competition to be named Best Non-Commissioned Officer in the Massachusetts Army National Guard’s Best Warrior Competition in Boston. Over three gruelling days, competitors were tested on everything from battlefield medical aid, marksmanship and navigation to grenade throwing, military doctrine and a demanding promotion interview.

And then the ultimate test: a 12-mile march carrying a 35lb pack.

Cpl Quigg was one of four Irish Defence Forces personnel representing the 28th Infantry Battalion, following weeks of intensive preparation that included training with the Central Medical Unit, Artillery Regiment and the Army Ranger Wing.

We hear about the competition, the preparation behind the success, and what it meant for Cpl Quigg to come out on top.
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In this week’s episode of the Irish Defence Forces Podcast, we explore the rapidly evolving role of drones and First Person View (FPV) systems in modern military operations.

We speak to Capt Stephen Donovan, who recently completed an Advanced FPV Drone Course in Latvia, as he shares his experience of the training and his insights into the capabilities and potential applications of FPV technology.

The episode also looks at the ongoing development of drone capabilities within the Defence Forces and how drones are being utilised across a wide range of conflict zones around the world. We explore how this rapidly developing technology could be incorporated into Defence Forces training, and the potential benefits of developing greater familiarity and expertise with drone systems.

As drones continue to transform the modern battlespace, an increasing number of military experts are considering drone operation and counter-drone capabilities as core military skills for modern armed forces.
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In this week’s episode of the Irish Defence Forces Podcast, we hear from Sgt Richard Carroll and Pte Dan Kennedy of the 3rd Infantry Battalion Sniper Team, who represented the Irish Defence Forces at the Danish International Sniper Competition (DISC) 2026.

We are also joined by CS Anthony O’Malley of the Infantry Weapons Wing (IWW), who provides insight into the background and value of national and international military competitions, as well as the benefits and challenges of competing at this level.

DISC is renowned for challenging sniper teams across a range of disciplines designed to reflect current threats and lessons from conflict zones. With scenarios changing from year to year, teams must think instinctively, adapt under pressure and find solutions rather than rely on routines from previous competitions. This year, particular emphasis was placed on drones and UAVs.

Hear from the team about the preparation involved, the challenges they faced, the lessons learned from the competition and what it takes to pursue a career as a sniper in the Defence Forces.
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In this episode of the Defence Forces Podcast, we hear from Company Sergeant Stephen McCaul, a SERE (Survival, Escape and Evasion, Resistance to Interrogation and Extraction) Instructor, following his participation in the French Equatorial Survival Course in French Guiana.

The 17-day course included eight days of intensive SERE training deep in the Amazon Rainforest, one of the most challenging environments on the planet. Operating in temperatures reaching 34°C with humidity as high as 98%, participants faced the constant dangers of dehydration, limited food and the demanding terrain of the rainforest, while also encountering the wildlife that inhabits it, including jaguars, pumas, caiman, anacondas, tarantulas and vampire bats. The course also required participants to cross the Amazon River at various stages.

Drawing on his experience as a SERE Instructor, CS McCaul shares what it took to survive, adapt and perform under extreme physical and psychological pressure. His performance throughout the course saw him finish as the Best Student, an outstanding achievement and a testament to his professionalism, resilience, adaptability and expertise.

In this episode, CS McCaul takes us into the heart of the Amazon Rainforest, sharing his experiences of the course, the challenges he faced, and the lessons learned from operating in one of the world's most demanding environments.
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