Captain Elizabeth Carr: “I feel lucky I can represent the country in both my job and my sporting pursuits”

For Captain Elizabeth Carr, ambition, resilience and teamwork are the foundations of success. A serving officer in the Irish Defence Forces and an elite international triathlete, Elizabeth has built a career that combines leadership, challenge and a passion for representing Ireland both at home and abroad.

Currently based in the Headquarters of the Defence Forces Training Centre in the Curragh Camp, Capt Carr works as a Staff Officer for Operations and Planning. Her journey in the Defence Forces began while studying for a BSc in Sports Science and Health, when she applied for the 2017 Cadetship Competition.

“During my final year in university, I applied for the cadetship competition. I was successful in the selection process and began my cadet training in September 2017 as part of the 94th Cadet Class,” she explains. For Elizabeth, joining the Defence Forces was an opportunity to challenge herself, develop as a leader and build a career where every day brings something different.

A passion for sport and competition

Sport has always been a major part of Elizabeth’s life. From a young age, she competed in athletics at national and international level across a range of disciplines. However, repeated injuries during her university years led her to explore new ways of maintaining her fitness.

“As a result, I had to incorporate alternative cross-training methods such as swimming and cycling. I really enjoyed the variation that these sports provided and so I entered some local triathlon races and loved it. The rest is history.”

Her talent and dedication quickly became clear. In her final year of university, Elizabeth was selected to represent Ireland at the World Under-23 Triathlon Championships. Just two weeks later, she began her military career as a cadet. The transition from elite sport to military training was a significant challenge, but one Elizabeth embraced.

“During my cadet training, my athletic pursuits had to take a back seat. The physical training I experienced was so different to what I was used to, but I absolutely loved the change and challenge of it. I feel the strength I built during that time has always stood to me.”

Captain Elizabeth Carr

The balance between service and elite sport

After completing her cadet training, Elizabeth returned to high-level triathlon and discovered that her military career and sporting ambitions complemented each other.

“The Defence Forces has provided opportunities for me to compete both in Ireland and abroad through athletics and triathlon events. These opportunities have meant that my triathlon training and military career have overlapped and really complement each other.”

The Defence Forces offers personnel access to excellent sporting facilities and clubs, creating opportunities to train, compete and build connections with colleagues outside their normal working environment. Based in the Curragh Camp, Elizabeth has benefited from the strong sporting culture within the Defence Forces.

“The training facilities available, especially where I’m based in the Curragh Camp, are brilliant and make it easy to train as much as you’d like.”

Balancing a demanding military role with elite-level competition requires commitment, discipline and organisation. Elizabeth typically completes between 17 and 20 hours of training each week, combining swimming, cycling, running and gym sessions.

“A typical week would involve training twice a day. During the week that would mean a swim before work, with a second session either a bike or run. Depending on the duration of the session and work commitments, it might happen during lunch or after work.”

While managing such a schedule is challenging, Elizabeth credits the support of her colleagues and the flexibility within the Defence Forces.

“I’m very lucky that the job I am in supports this work and sport balance and that my colleagues are also very encouraging and supportive.”

Captain Elizabeth Carr

Serving Ireland on two fronts

For Elizabeth, wearing the Defence Forces uniform and representing Ireland in sport carry a similar sense of pride.

“It’s a huge privilege to be able to represent my country on an international stage. Wearing the green in competition brings a great sense of pride. I always feel it is similar to being part of the Defence Forces and wearing the uniform, and I feel lucky I can represent the country in both my job and my sporting pursuits.”

One of the highlights of her military career so far was her overseas deployment with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in 2021, where she served as 3 Platoon Commander, A Company, with the 118 Infantry Battalion.

“This is probably the highlight of my military career so far. It’s where all the extensive training you’ve completed to become a leader gets put into practice in an operational environment.”

Success on the international stage

Elizabeth’s dedication to triathlon has brought significant achievements, including a standout year in 2024 when she was ranked inside the top 100 triathletes in the world and competed at both the European and World Triathlon Championships. However, one of her proudest moments came after overcoming a major setback.

“My first podium at my second ever senior international competition in 2023 stands out. I achieved second place in a Continental Cup after an extensive period of injury where I had been out of running for nearly a year and a half.”

The resilience developed through military training has played a major role in helping Elizabeth overcome challenges in sport.

“In the military, you are sometimes faced with situations that are unexpected and challenging, but you just have to adapt, overcome and still complete the task at hand. That skill has been transferable to my sporting and personal life.”

Captain Elizabeth Carr

The qualities of a Defence Forces career

Elizabeth believes the skills gained through military service have helped her become a stronger athlete and person.

“I think I’ve definitely improved my organisation and planning skills through the military, which has helped hugely in terms of preparation for competition and the logistics involved in travelling to and from international locations.”

Looking ahead, Elizabeth is excited about the opportunities available within the Defence Forces. She hopes to continue developing in her current role as an operations officer, complete her Master’s degree in Sports Performance through the Defence Forces and potentially serve as a Physical Education Officer in the future.

“There are so many ways you can progress your career which is exciting, even looking past the next two years.”
In triathlon, her ambition remains equally high: to continue representing Ireland and pursue qualification for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

Life beyond the uniform

Despite a busy schedule, Elizabeth values the importance of downtime and recovery.

“Outside of work and training, I love spending time with friends and family. Going out for nice food and coffee, sea swims, saunas, getting a massage and getting my nails done are simple things, but they’re the most enjoyable and are great for recovering and just chilling out.”

Driven, motivated and always striving for improvement, Elizabeth describes herself as someone who aims high while valuing loyalty and family above all else.

“I would like to think I am a loyal person and will stand by those who are close to me. I also really value my relationship with my family. They are the ones who will stick by you through the good and bad times.”

Captain Elizabeth Carr’s story demonstrates the opportunities available within the Irish Defence Forces: a career built on leadership, personal development, teamwork and the chance to pursue excellence both professionally and personally. For those seeking a career where challenge meets opportunity, the Defence Forces offers a path.

• For further information on the various career options offered by the Irish Defence Forces, visit www.military.ie.

@hotpressmagazine From Commanding troops to crossing finish lines, Capt. Elizabeth Carr discusses her development as a leader and as an athlete in the Irish Defence Forces. She embodies what it means to adapt and thrive under pressure. Interested in a career with purpose? Visit www.military.ie to find out more and start your journey. @irishdefenceforces ♬ original sound - Hot Press