Air Corps Photography

[pilatus]

Maybe this has been discussed before but how would one join the Air Corps as a photographer, i remember reading an article in an cosantoir some time ago about this but cant find the particular magazine now!thanks guys!

[Frank]

open to correction here...

You have to join the Air Corps as a general service recruit or as an apprentice, do your training, serve a few years then apply for a photographers course, don't think there's any way you can join the Air Corps directly as a photographer.

[pilatus]

i dont know frank i think you may be wrong, because last time i was down at bal my guide was telling me about how the Air Corps are going to start a photography course with the goal of just training photographers!?Maybe i caught the story arse ways and got it wrong but that was my understanding of what he was talking about!

[Frank]

Yes, the course is for photographers but you have to be a member of the Permanent Defence Forces to be eligible for the course.

I know of one particular Air Corps photographer who spend years as a techie before doing the course and being accepted into the Photo Section.

Direct entry is not an option I'm afraid, do you think I'd still be working in civvie street if direct entry to the Air Corps as a photographer was possible?

[P.Doff]

Hi Pilatus,
             Im afraid Frank is right. You have to be a serving member of the Defence Forces to be eligible for the photographers course. Also, this years course is only the second one in 15 years so they are fairly scarce.

Air Corps photographers are required to photograph all aspects of the defence forces from recruits getting their mugshots done on signing up, a portrait of the COS or President,out on the ground with the Battalions or ARW, to flying over the Atlantic in the CASA on a Marpat or in the back of a PC-9 for a Calendar shoot. So to be trained as a soldier first is paramount.

Its one of the best jobs within the DF but can be very demanding mentally having to think outside the box all the time and be able to make split second decisions that could make the difference between the "Money Shot" and a blurred image. Its a constant learning curve and photographers , though they may not admit it, are never really masters but eternal students in the hope of achieving the perfect image   .
So if your willing, sign the dotted line and maybe you'll make it some day!!

[John K]

It's a bit of a 'Dead mans shoes' section as well. Great bunch of lads, but some of them are still corporals 27 years after their NCO course! No names no pack drill but I was on the same NCOs course as them back in 1980. Any Techies on the same course still in baldonnel are F/Sgts or RSMs now. That's not the fault of the blokes in Porno (sorry) Photo Section, it's just how it is. Mind you what with weddings at weekends, etc, they probably earn more than RSMs!