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The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has four branches, namely the SA Army, SA Air Force, SA Navy and SA Military Health Services and offers young, fit and mentally strong citizens the chance to follow a military career by joining the Military Skills Development System (MSDS).

If you are looking for a career in either one of the SANDF branches, means of recruitment, according to the Department of Defence (DOD), is through either direct recruitment (direct recruitment is only applicable to people with special skills such as engineers, IT specialists, diesel mechanics etc.) or most commonly through the MSDS. Careers in the DOD and civilian careers can be seen on their website here.

The MSDS is a Department of Defence programme that serves as the entry-level platform for young South Africans who want to follow a career in the South African National Defence Force.

If you are selected to join the South African National Defence Force through the MSDS, you will undergo an initial period of two years voluntary service. In the first year, you will receive military training and further functional training. In the second year, you will be deployed where needed. During the deployment, you will get an opportunity to apply your knowledge and develop your skills. After the two years, you will either continue as part of the Reserve Force or receive a contract offer to join the Regular Force.

Selected members with the required academic qualifications are also sent to universities or the Military Academy.

To qualify for the MSDS programme, you should:

• Be a South African citizen.
• Be aged between 18 and 22 years (Graduates up to the age of 26 years).
• Be currently busy with the National Senior Certificate (Grade 12) or have completed it.
• Not be area bound.
• Have no record of a criminal offence.
• Be preferably single.
• Comply with medical fitness requirements for appointment in the South African National Defence Force.
• Be prepared to do Basic Military Training, Functional Training and to serve in uniform.

Requirements to join the South African Air Force (SAAF), Navy (SAN) and the Military Health Service (SAMHS) may differ to that of the SA Army, please contact the SANDF to at 021 787 1144 to find out more. According to the SAAF recruitment website, specialization within the SANDF takes place in the MSDS after basic training.

Candidates who apply for the MSDS in whichever branch of the SANDF go through a selection process including psychometric evaluation, selection board (interview), medical evaluation and criminal record evaluation.

There are a number of careers in the SAAF, being aircrew – pilot, navigator or other, command and control, aviation maintenance, engineering/apprenticeship, general maintenance, support and reserve squadrons. For more information on careers in the SAAF and applying through the MSDS, click here or contact the SAAF recruitment office at 012 312 2148 / 2609.

Joining the SAN is also done through the MSDS and features careers in the protection force, engine room attendants, public relations, human resources, physical training, hospitality, fire-fighting, logistics, communication, maritime reaction squadron, SA Navy divers, combat officer, student engineer and student naval technical officer. A few of these opportunities require mathematics and physical science at level 4. A brochure for these SAN opportunities can be seen here, or one can contact the SAN recruitment centre at 012 339 4252/4421.

In the first two years of voluntary service, you can expect to receive the following training.

First Year of Military Skills Development Service:

• Basic military training and functional training.
• Corps specific training.
• Participation in practical military exercises.
• Combat ready training exercises.
• Selection of junior leaders.

Second Year of Military Skills Development Service:

• Junior leaders (Officers) receive leader group corps training.
• Undergo Young Officers Formative training.
• Selection of Officers to study at the Military Academy.
• Focus on utilisation and deployment of Military Skills Development System troops.
• Military Skills Development System members will receive wages for the duration of their two-year full-time training and utilisation.

If you are interested in joining the Military Skills Development System, you can contact the SANDF’s Western Cape recruitment offices at 021 787 1144, or you can contact SANDF’s head office at (012) 355 6999 or via email at info@dod.mil.za.

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Find Z83 Form for Government Jobs Applications

To assist a government department in selecting a person for an advertised post.

This form may be used to identify candidates to be interviewed.  Since all applicants cannot be interviewed, you need to fill in this form completely, accurately and legibly.  This will help to process your application fairly.

WHO SHOULD COMPLETE THIS FORM

Only persons wishing to apply for an advertised position in a government department.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This form requires basic information.  Candidates who are selected for interviews will be requested to furnish additional certified information that may be required to make a final selection.

SPECIAL NOTES 

1 – All information will be treated with the strictest confidentiality and will not be disclosed or used for any other purpose than to assess the suitability of a person, except in so far as it may be required and permitted by law.  Your personal details must correspond with the details in your ID or passport.

2 – Passport number in the case of non-South Africans.

3 – This information is required to enable the department to comply with the Employment Equity Act, 1998.

4 – This information will only be taken into account if it directly relates to the requirements of the position.

5 – Applicants with substantial qualifications or work experience must attach a CV.

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