men and women ages 17–34 could join the unit by applying to their local battery office. the unit had batteries in cork city and in templemore, thurles and nenagh. all members were volunteers, and they give up their free time in order to train with the unit. 2007 was the first year since 1979 where members of the reserve defence forces could become integrated with their associated army unit. members of the 31 far had the opportunity to train alongside their colleagues in the 1st far.