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I've a few questions about them whats with this "Home Service Battalion" thing, does that just mean they spend most of there time mucking about in garrison?
And why what role do they play in the 16th AA Battalion, I may be ignorant but I was watching CNN and I didn't realize they were into that kinda thing, unless of couse helicopter assaults dropping them off are a standard thing in the British Army. (And if so how I envy you.)

Home service means they serve in NI constantly, not quite mucking about.

They are helicopter assault part of 16 AAB, in other words they are meant to be dropped in by heli every time!

A decent unit, got to say that as the fluff has family in it.

RIR are currently in the Air-Landing role as part of 16 Air Assault Brigade as well as undertaking heli ops they would also carryout TALO type insertions, as do the Para Battlions.

The Air-Landing element of the Brigade changes every so many years and from memory the Gurkhas and Fusiliers have both done it in the past.

K24io hit the nail on the head, it may have calmed down a lot temporarily, but the Home Service batallions do a very difficult job in Northern Ireland, a far cry form mucking around in barracks.





The Regimental history of the UDR is a very interesting and thought provoking read if anyone wants a military history book to read.

Thank yah kindly.

I have a question, are the royal Irish guard a part of the royal Irish regt or a separate regt all together. I only ask as my former coach has recently joined the guard and I’ve heard rumours on this site that there being disbanded to appease Irish nationalists???

Not sure what you mean by Royal Irish Guard, can you clarify before I go further.

The Guards, are the abbreviation of the Garda Siohr Cohnna (spelling) Irelands police force.

I think he means Irish Guards, not royal Irish guards. And yes they are a different regiment than the royal irish regiment. Dunno about them being disbanded though.

As my esteemed colleague from Canada points out I think you are getting confused between a number of different organisations. If this will help here is a brief explanation
1. Royal Irish Regiment- Infantry regiment of the British Army which has a general service batallion and uniquely a number (3 I think) of Home Service batallions who operate in the military aid to the civil powers role only ( ie fighting terrorists), in Northern Ireland.They ( the Home service batallions) are rumoured to be being disbanded to appease Irish nationalists
2. Irish Guards- Regiment of Foot Guards of the British Army.
3. An Garda Siochanna- Police service of the Republic of Ireland. (translates as "the civil guards")

i thought "Home Service" battalions meant they were all locally recruited like the old UDR?

Yes they are locally recruited having been formed into the RIR with the amalgamation of the UDR and the Royal Irish Rangers

The news said this morning they are to be disbanded

could someone from scotland join a Home Service battalion?

I think you can join the RIR if you want to.

I am am English guy who has lived here in N Ireland for some time now. One thing I can tell you is that the RIR part timers are generally pretty rude. I have come across all regiments here and Brit soldiers are always polite and courteous.

This is my own personal experience, it would be wrong to tar all with the same brush.

JW