organised into 11 battalions (59) companies: two in belfast and the remainder cover county or sub-county areas. seven of the eleven are commanded by regular commanding officers. in addition the training majors, quartermaster, regimental sergeant majors, chief clerks, and signaller ncos are also regulars. there are a number of 'conrate' (full-time udr) posts in each unit, including adjutants, permanent staff instructors, security guards, etc. many of the officer and senior rank conrates are ex-regulars. the remainder are part-timers. their main tasks are guarding key points, patrolling, and surveillance, and manning vehicle check points. they do not operate in the 'hard' areas of belfast, and are not permitted to become involved in crowd confrontations anywhere. men are armed with self-loading rifles or sub-machine guns. the current strength of the regiment is 7910.