The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has opened applications for its 2022 Military Skills Development System (MSDS), giving young South Africans the chance to serve in the SANDF for a two-year period.
Advertisements were published for the MSDS Intake 2022 in mid-June 2021. The closing date for applications is 30 July, with successful applicants to report for service in January 2022.
The MSDS takes up to 2 000 volunteers into either the SA Air Force (SAAF), SA Army, SA Military Health Service (SAMHS) or SA Navy (SAN) for two years. Basic military training is first up followed by specialist mustering training, dependent on service and then deployment to a division, unit or base.
When the 24 month MSD period is up, a limited number of MSD volunteers will be offered short-term contracts in the full-time force (usually for 10 years) with the remainder expected to put their military skills to use in the Reserve Force.
The SANDF has released clarification on the application process and application criteria:
Applicants must comply with the following general criteria:
Must be South African Citizen (no dual citizenship).
Must have no criminal offences.
Must comply with medical fitness requirements for appointment in the SANDF – applicants applying for SA Army and SA Air Force (Pilot and Navigators) should comply with minimum height and weight requirements as stipulated on the advertisements).
Must not be area bound.
Must preferably be single.
AGE AND QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
The following age and qualification requirements apply:
18 – 22 years (1999 to 2003) and successfully completed Grade 12, with the Admission Point Score (APS) as stipulated:
SA Army. APS 17 excluding Life Orientation – Average of 50 % or level 4 (Mathematics and Physical Science will be advantageous).
SA Air Force (General and Technical Trade). APS 17 excluding Life Orientation or N3 with six (6) subjects including two (2) languages.
SA Navy (Combat, Engineering and Technical):
APS 24 excluding Life Orientation.
Mathematics and Physical Science with at least level 4 for both subjects.
SA Navy (Support). APS 24 excluding Life Orientation.
SA Navy (Submariners and Divers). APS 20 with Mathematics and Physical Science with at least level 4 for both subjects.
SA Military Health Service. APS of 17 excluding Life Orientation or as stipulated per medical/nursing occupation.
18 – 24 years if in possession of a three (3) year Tertiary qualification (Degree, National Diploma or N6 with N4 and N5 prescripts):
SA Air Force (Pilots/Navigators). Completed Grade 12 or N3 (Technical) with six (6) subjects of which two (2) must be languages and Mathematics and Physical Science (Level – 4).
SA Air Force (Engineers). Completed Grade 12 with APS of 35 excluding Life Orientation with English Level – 5.
22 – 26 years (1995 to 2002) if in possession of a three (3) year Tertiary qualification (Degree, National Diploma or N6 with N4 and N5 prescripts):
SA Air Force (Pilots/Navigators). Three (3) year Tertiary qualification (Degree, National Diploma or N6 with N4 and N5 prescripts) and must have completed Grade 12 with Level – 4 (Mathematics and Physical Science).
SA Air Force (Engineers). Relevant Tertiary qualification (National Diploma or N6 with N4 and N5 prescripts) and must have completed Grade 12 with Level – 6 Mathematics and Physical Science, English Level – 5 and APS of 35 excluding Life Orientation.
SA Navy (Combat, Engineering and Technical Support).
Completed Grade 12 with completed Degree/Advanced Diploma/ National Diploma or N6 with Trade Test Certificate in Mechanical, Marine and Electrical Engineering.
Completed Grade 12 with completed Degree/Advanced Diploma/ National Diploma in Human Resource/Logistics/Organisation and Work study/Sports management.
SA Military Health Service. In possession of a completed three (3) year Tertiary Qualification as stipulated per medical/nursing occupation or N6 (Transcript of N4 and N5 must be attached).
APPLICATION FORMS
Application forms will be issued and received at the undermentioned Regional Offices until the closing date on 30 July 2021. Please note that no late applications will be accepted.
Regional Office Free State. Army Support Base Bloemfontein Recruitment Office, Pappa Brits Street, Tempe, Bloemfontein, 9300 – Enquiries: 051 402 1262.
Regional Office Western Cape. Castle of Good Hope Recruitment Office Block C, c/o Buiten and Strand Street, Cape Town, 8000 – Enquiries: 021 787 1023/4.
Regional Office Limpopo. Army Support Recruitment Office Building T143, Gate way Road, Polokwane, 0699 – Enquiries: 015 299 3318.
Regional Office Kwa-Zulu Natal. Recruitment Office, 5 DLI Avenue, Greyville, Durban, 4001 – Enquiries: 031 451 1738.
Regional Office Eastern Cape. Army Support Base Recruitment Office Willow Drive, Forest Hill, Port Elizabeth, 6013 – Enquiries: 041 505 1101.
Regional Office Northern Cape. Army Support Base Recruitment Office Kimberley, General Khan van der Spuy Avenue, Diskobolos, Kimberley, 8301 – Enquiries: 053 830 3204.
Regional Office North West. Army Support Base Recruitment Office, C/O Grobler St (R53) and Eleazer Road, Potchefstroom, 2531 – Enquiries: 018 289 3322.
Regional Office Gauteng – Recruitment Office, C/O Visagie and Paul Kruger Street, Pretoria Central, 0001 – Enquiries: 012 339 5718/5754/5703.
Application forms for applicants residing in Mpumalanga will be available and can be submitted as follows:
Army Support Base, 8 Spruit Street, Mbombela, 1201 – Enquiries: 013 756 2113.
4 South African Infantry Battalion, c/o Dr Beyers Naude and Boncker Street, Middelburg, Mpumalanga, 1050 – Enquiries: 013 249 3534.
Applicants should note that the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) does not have any online application system.
Or obtained from the above-mentioned venues.
Applications ARE NOT FOR SALE. Under no circumstances will it be required for money to change hands when receiving or submitting MSDS Application Forms.
