Lieutenant Colonel speaks ahead of Irish deployment in South Lebanon

Colonel Shane Rocket discusses his extensive experience in the Defence Forces, focusing on his current deployment to Lebanon. He addresses the concerns of families, reassures them of the troops' preparedness, and outlines the mission objectives. Operational changes and training enhancements are highlighted, along with the emotional state of the battalion. The challenges of celebrating Christmas abroad and maintaining communication with families are also discussed.

What is Colonel Shane Rocket's rank and how many times has he been deployed overseas?

• Captain, 4 times

• Lieutenant Colonel, 5 times

• Colonel, 9 times

• Major, 7 times

What is the primary concern of Colonel Shane Rocket as a commander?

• Troops' safety

• Media coverage

• Political issues

• Logistical challenges

What changes have been made to the army's tactics and procedures for the current deployment?

• Minor adjustments to address specific issues

• Complete overhaul of strategies

• No changes at all

• Introduction of new technology

How does the battalion plan to celebrate Christmas Day while deployed?

• By organizing a virtual family meeting

• By returning home for the day

• By having a normal Christmas dinner and opening care packages

• By ignoring the holiday

What is a significant challenge mentioned regarding communication with families?

• Language barriers

• Time zone differences

• Communication issues due to technical problems

• Lack of internet access