The mission of the SA Navy is to render a seaward military service. This is achieved through the development, management and maintenance of an ability to provide maritime operations, assistance and support operations, hydrographical services and supporting services.
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.
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.
What subjects are needed to become a Navy in South Africa?
Engineering and Technical applicants aged between 18 and 22 must have completed Grade 12 with Mathematics and Physical Science with at least Level 4 for both subjects. Support applicants aged between 18 and 22 must have completed Grade 12.
How much does SA Navy earn per month?
The average SANDF monthly salary ranges from approximately R 10 163 per month for Clerk to R 17 872 per month for Technical Officer.
What does the SA Navy do?
The mission of the SA Navy is to render a seaward military service. This is achieved through the development, management and maintenance of an ability to provide maritime operations, assistance and support operations, hydrographical services and supporting services.