Requirements To Join The Military In South Africa

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.

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 arm of service of the SANDF go through a selection process including psychometric evaluation, selection board (interview), medical evaluation and criminal record evaluation.

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.

What qualifications do you need to be a soldier in South Africa?

Joining the South African National Defence Force

  • 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.

How much do SA soldiers earn per month?

The average salary for a Soldier is R 11 042 per month in South Africa. Salary estimates are based on 6 salaries submitted anonymously to Indeed by Soldier employees, users, and collected from past and present job advertisements on Indeed in the past 36 months. The typical tenure for a Soldier is 2-4 years.