The South African National Defense Force’s (SANDF) Military Skills Development System (MSDS) is open for the 2024 intake.
Qualifying youth who are South African citizens are invited to apply.
The Military Skills Development System is the entry-level recruitment programme of the South African National Defence Force.
The recruitment is administered by the SANDF as a voluntary service system that allows young South African citizens to serve in uniform.
Due to budget cuts, the Military Skills Development (MSD) intake into the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) is only taking place every two years, with applications for 2024 now open.
The last MSD intake was in January last year and the next is in January 2024, with applications closing at the end of February.
The MSD system 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.
Young people who take part in this course also have an opportunity to further their studies within the military or develop their skills.
This year, the South African Army, South African Air Force, South Africa Navy and South African Military Health Services are calling on young people to serve.
The MSDS has opened applications for new recruits nationwide, the closing date is on 28 February 2023.
The MSDS programme needs the following requirements;
- You must be a South African citizen
- Have no criminal record
- Meet medical and physical fitness requirements that are specified on the application form.
Applicants who are 18 – 22 years must have completed Grade 12, with the Admission Point Score (APS) as stipulated:
South African Army.
APS 17 and above, excluding Life Orientation (LO) – Level 4 Mathematics and Physical Science will be advantageous.
South African Air Force
General Musterings.
- APS 17 and above, excluding LO with specific subjects and levels as stipulated per occupation.
South African Air Force
Technical Trade
- APS 20 and above, excluding LO with Mathematics, Physical Science and English with at least level 4.
South African Air Force
Engineer
- APS 35 and above, excluding LO with Mathematics, Physical Science and English with at least level 4.
South African Navy
Combat, Technical Engineering
- APS 24 and above, excluding LO and Mathematics and Physical Science with at least level 4 for both subjects (NO Mathematical Literacy).
South African Navy
Support
- APS 24 and above, excluding LO with specific subjects and levels as stipulated per occupation.
South African Navy
Divers
- APS 20 and above, excluding LO and Mathematics with least level 3 (NO Mathematical Literacy).
Submariners
- APS 24 and above, excluding LO and Mathematics and Physical Science with at least level 4 for both subjects (NO Mathematical Literacy).
South African Military Health Service.
- APS of 24, excluding LO for all available occupations with specific subjects and levels as stipulated per medical/nursing occupation.
Applicants who are between 18- 24 years need to have the following for the MSDS 2024 intake
Completed Grade 12 with APS 20, excluding LO with specific subjects and levels as stipulated:
SA Air Force
Pilots/Navigators must possess Mathematics, Physical Science and English minimum (Level 4).
Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) and Grade 12 with Mathematics, Physical Science and English minimum (Level 4).
Applicants who are between 18 – 26 years if in possession of a three (3) year Tertiary qualification (Degree, National Diploma or N6 with N4 and N5 prescripts);
SA Air Force (Engineers)
- Industrial Engineering
- Electronic Engineering,
- Civil Engineering,
- Mechanical Engineering and Aeronautical Engineering.
SA Navy (Engineering)
- Mechanical Engineering and Electrical Engineering.
SA Military Health Service.
- Public Relations and Journalism.
- Organisational Study.
- Medical/nursing occupations.
MSD applications close on 28 February and if applications have not heard back by 31 December, they should consider their application unsuccessful.
The SA Army MSD application form can be found here.
The SA Air Force MSD application form can be found here.
The SA Navy MSD application form can be found here.
The SA Military Health Service MSD application form can be found here.
Application forms are issued at the following regional
offices:
Regional Office Free State. Army Support Base Bloemfontein Recruitment
Office, Pappa Brits Street, Tempe, Bloemfontein, 9300
Regional Office Western Cape. Castle of Good Hope Recruitment Office
Block C, c/o Buiten en Strand Street, Cape Town, 8000
Regional Office Limpopo. Army Support Recruitment Office Building T143,
Gate way Road, Polokwane, 0699
Regional Office Kwa-Zulu Natal. Recruitment Office, Lords Ground Military
Base, 186 Old Ford Road (K.E. Masinga Road), Durban
Regional Office Eastern Cape. Army Support Base Recruitment Office
Willow Drive, Forest Hill, Port Elizabeth, 6013
Regional Office Northern Cape. Army Support Base Recruitment Office
Kimberley, General Khan van der Spuy Avenue, Diskobolos, Kimberley
Regional Office North West. Army Support Base Recruitment Office, C/O
Grobler St (R53) and Eleazer Road, Potchefstroom, 2531
Regional Office Gauteng. Recruitment Office, C/O Visagie and Paul Kruger
Street, Pretoria Central, 0001
Applicants residing in Mpumalanga will access forms at the following venues:
- Army Support Base, 8 Spruit Street, Mbombela, 1201
- 4 South African Infantry Battalion, c/o Dr Beyers Naude and Boncker Street,
Middelburg, Mpumalanga, 1050
Closing date: 28 February 2023
