The main reason is poor working conditions.
Almost 1 in every 2 members of the Defence Forces are thinking about leaving over the next 10 years because of poor working conditions.
The Representative Association of Commissioned Officers or RACO, says the forces are already 2,000 members below the recommended level and can't afford to lose more frontline personnel.
Lieutenant Colonel, Athlone's Conor King says they put up with working conditions that simply wouldn't be tolerated in other jobs: