The strength of the Defence Forces has reached an all-time low of less than 8,500.
RACO - which represents some staff - says that's after 10 per cent of the staff quit over the past year.
It's warning if that turnover continues, the force will continue to decline and won't ever return to its designed strength of 9,500.
RACO is also criticising a state report on the issues in the Defence Forces.
Retired brigadier general Ger Aherne's also criticising the review.
"The Parliamentary Budget Office has produced a report for all members of the Oireachtas based on information it received from the Department of Defence and the Department of Public Expenditure and reform which is hopelessly out of date since 2017.
"The PBO report on the defence recruitment, retention and remuneration uses only data up until 2017.
"The situation has become markedly worse in subsequent years, vacancies have increased by 310%"
