South African National Defence Force (SANDF) Application Forms and Requirements
Applicants should note that SANDF receives a huge number of applications; therefore, not all applicants will receive an offer of employment when recommended for training. The closing date for each year is usually in February, and by October, if you do not receive any information, it means your application was unsuccessful. For anyone who wants to join the South African National Defence Force, find below the helpful information.
- The SANDF does not use third-party individuals or organisations to recruit deserving applicants.
- There is no money payable to access the forms for application; therefore, youth should take advantage of this opportunity.
The latest updates about SANDF Application forms are always provided on the website. If you are interested in serving in the military field, the South African National Defence Force offers an opportunity to apply. The application forms are made available in various newspapers such as the City Press, Rapport, and careers Portal website: @www.dod.mil.za.
SANDF offers a broad spectrum, and forms are available from the official website, for example
Air force.
Address:
The South African Department of Defence
Directorate Human Resource acquisition
Private Bag x2381
Pretoria, 0001
SA Navy contact address
The Department of Defence
SA Navy Headquarter – Recruitment Centre
Private Bag X104
Pretoria 0001
SAAF contact address
SA Air Force Headquarters – Directorate of Human Resource Services
Private Bag X199
Pretoria, 0001
Requirements: Be sure to read through carefully the requirements before filling in the form.
Applicants should take note of the minimum Requirements to avoid disappointments and must comply with all requirements prescribed, for example
- Applicants must be the citizen of South Africa and not have a dual citizenship
- Applicants must be unmarried
- They must have completed grade 12 or currently in grade 12 or equivalent with subjects specific to a career selection
- Applicants must not have a criminal record
- Only applicants between the age of 18 and 22 at the time of joining and not more than 26 for the graduates.
- Applicants must be medically and physically fit
- Should not be area bound
- It is compulsory that SANDF applicants comply with medical fitness for appointment
- Applicant must be willing to relocate when necessary
- If required, applicants must be willing to participate in deployments both in South Africa and abroad.
When submitting the form, you need to include the following documents
- An authentic and verifiable copy of your grade12 certificate
- An up to date curriculum vitae
- A certificate of the highest academic qualification
- A valid identification / ID card
Further screening process
Candidates who are selected for further screening get invited.
- After the selection process, applicants who qualify are subjected to a further screening process that entails the following procedure, for example:
- The applicant’s fingerprints are sent to the criminal record bureau to verify the criminal records, and records of convictions will also be evaluated based on how recent the offence occurred.
- Psychometric test is determined by the position the applicant has applied for; however, the aim is to assess the potential of developing in the candidate’s position and the aptitude.
- The selection board does a formal interview; the interview focuses on self-development, leadership potential, communication skills, and self-confidence.
- A medical assessment is done to affirm the fitness of applicants before training commences. The medical practitioners appointed are from the military to assess the current medical status and history.
South African Reserve Force Division is a programme that offers a great opportunity for the youth of South Africa and is the best way to join the army. There are two ways to join the South African Reserve Force Division. MSDS is the entry-level platform for young South Africans who want to follow a South African Defence Force career. Through direct recruitment or Military Skills Development Systems (MSDS), the reserves programme offers professional growth and an opportunity to learn new skills. However, direct recruitment is made available only for people with special skills such as diesel mechanics and IT specialists. It is also published in newspapers and careers portal once a year.
When you get selected, there is a two-year voluntary service period if you have joined through the MSDS. After finishing the two-year period of volunteering, the SANDF offers you a five-year period contract to join reserves that are renewable every five years up until the member reaches sixty-five years. Reserves is a voluntary and part-time directorate of South African National Defence Force. It is available for application once per year. SANDF offers the reserves to receive all the benefits that are applicable to regular force members.
The benefits are:
- Access to SANDF facilities
- Medical aid and
- Salary
How does one qualify for MSDS programme
- You must be a South African citizen
- You must be preferably single
- You must not be area bound
- Your age should be between 18 and 22 years, and graduates can be up to the age of 26 years
- Must not have a criminal record offence
- Must be currently busy with the National Senior certificate or have completed it: grade12
- Must be prepared to do Basic Military Training, Functional Training and to serve in uniform
- Must conform with medical fitness requirements for appointment in the South African National Defence Force
The reserves respond as the crises arise, as they provide guidance, expertise and assistance to the armed forces. For those who want to serve the country, having to work as a reserve brings the dream closer by giving the opportunity to provide humanitarian assistance to those in need in time of natural or other disasters.
For those who would like to travel, being a reserve offers an opportunity to travel abroad, and the experts can help improve the country’s defensive needs. The reserve members can choose to serve from the following support functions:
- Training
- Finance
- Amour
- Engineer
- Logistics
- Support functions
- Intelligence
- Infantry
- Artillery
- Air Defence Artillery