Northern Ireland & other 'troubles' ahead..

First just curious as to whether anyone here served in the British military during the troubles in NI, or indeed in the 80s/90s? Would the IRA ever directly engage the Army head on? Did some scenarios that we've heard about happen in places like Iraq & Afghanistan ever materialise in NI? Can the British Military take stock from the troubles, or are the enemy they fight abroad too different? Will the IRA (whichever of its countless branches) or indeed Irish nationalism ever rise again to the heights we witnessed when the IRA was active?