The bould Hector met an Irish lad in the FFL in a base in South America. It was covered on the show and the book. Seemed a fairly sound/normal chap by my vague recollection.
On a more exciting note, was a Cork lad on Last Word or Hook about 18 months ago, a mercenary (soldier for hire), tales of various gun fights in Iraq etc. I missed the name of the book but it sounded good.
As a general opinion, I'd say being a soldier is a crap life, taking orders, free time restricted, maybe getting "a bullet in the kisser" as they might say in a Sean O'Casey play. Plus your comrades mightnt be of the best stock (is it just me or do Irish soldiers/ex-soldiers turn up unusually often in court cases for various violent crime?). So an option for those with few options. Cadets maybe a bit better but much the same IMHO.