CISM is the International Military Sports Council and brings together representatives of defence forces from across the world in a number of sports. The football section moved from the World Military Games to its own international competition in recent years.
After coming through the qualifying campaign last year, the Irish side heads to Muscat anticipating a tough group which features Qatar, the USA and Mali.
Speaking at the FAI National Training Centre last week when meeting of the squad with Minister for Defence Paul Kehoe and FAI CEO John Delaney, the Irish team manager Captain Ian Snee was positive that his side can go to Oman and make a good impression.
"It's a great honour and achievement to get to this position. Our first game is against Mali on Tuesday and we know it'll be a tough start. We then play Qatar who beat us in India a few years ago and have professional players in their set-up," he said.
"The US is the final game and they have a lot of players they brought in with college soccer experience.
"I'm confident we have the ability to get out of our group. Our team captain Chris Kenny recently signed for Sligo Rovers which is great for himself.
"We got great support from the FAI in terms of training facilities and we're looking forward to heading to the tournament, representing their country and winning an international cap so it’s a great opportunity for them."
IRELAND DEFENCE FORCES SQUAD:
Derek Walsh (Usher Celtic. AUL)
Stephen Whelan (St Paul’s Artane, AUL)
Craig Shortt (Birr Town, CCFL)
Ian Lordan (Greenwood FC, Cork AUL)
Craig Wall (Freebooters, Kilkenny & District League)
Sean Gannon (Dublin Central FC, LSL)
Darren Kelly (Cherry Orchard, LSL)
Richard Barber (St James Gate, LSL)
Kenneth Deegan (Newbridge Town, LSL)
Keith Duffy (Ballina Town, Mayo AFL)
Ross MacCarthy (Youghal United AFC, Munster SL)
David Stack (Cobh Wanderers, Munster SL)
Mark Horgan (Avondale, Munster SL)
Michael O’Shea (Cobh Wanderers, Munster SL)
David Sweeney (Ballincollig, Munster SL)
Sean Guerins (BT Harps, North Tipperary DL)
Shane Dempsey (Wexford Youths)
Chris Kenny (Sligo Rovers)
Philip Gorman (Waterford FC)
Aidan Friel (Longford Town)
Ricky Fox (Shamrock Rovers, Wexford FL)
FIXTURES
Tuesday, January 17
Ireland v Mali (1.00pm Irish)
Thursday, January 19
Ireland v Qatar (1.00pm Irish)
Saturday, January 21
USA v Ireland (1.00pm Irish)