(SANDF) Application Forms 2025/2026 The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) is accepting applications for its Military Skills Development System (MSDS) for the 2025 intake. The MSDS is a two-year program that offers young South African citizens the opportunity to receive military training and develop skills within various branches of the SANDF, including the Army, Air Force, Navy, and Military Health Service.
South African National Defence Force Application Forms 2025/2026
Application Period:
- Opening Date: January 2025
- Closing Date: 28 February 2025
General Requirements:
(SANDF) Application Forms 2025/2026 Eligibility Criteria:
- Citizenship: Must be a South African citizen with no dual citizenship.
- Age: Between 18 and 22 years old at the time of joining. If in possession of a three-year tertiary qualification, the age limit extends to 26 years.
- Education: Completed Grade 12 or currently in Grade 12 with specific subject requirements.
- Medical Fitness: Must meet the medical standards set by the SANDF.
- Criminal Record: No criminal record or pending cases
- Other Requirements: Must be willing to relocate and participate in deployments both within South Africa and abroad if required.
- Tattoos: No visible tattoos (on legs, lower arms, neck, and face) EduUpstairs
(SANDF) Application Forms 2025/2026 Application Process:
- Obtain Application Forms:
- Application forms are available at regional recruitment offices across the country.
- Forms can also be downloaded from the official Department of Defence website.
- Submit Application:
- Hand-deliver your application to the nearest recruitment centre or send it via post to the relevant branch’s recruitment office.
- Ensure all required documents, such as your CV, certified copies of your ID, Grade 12 certificate (or latest results), and any tertiary qualifications, are included.
Important Considerations:
- The SANDF does not have an online application system; applications must be submitted in person or via post.
- If you have not been contacted by 31 December 2025, consider your application unsuccessful.
- Be cautious of scams; the SANDF does not charge any fees for application forms or the recruitment process.
For more detailed information and to access application forms, visit the official Department of Defence website:
Regional Recruitment Offices: Here are some regional recruitment offices where you can obtain and submit application forms:
- Limpopo:
- Army Support Recruitment Office Building, 145 Gateway Road (Next to Polokwane Airport), Polokwane, 0700
- Enquiries: 015 299 3318
- Gauteng:
- Recruitment Office, C/O Visagie and Paul Kruger Street, Pretoria Central, 0001
- Enquiries: 012 339 5718/5703
- KwaZulu-Natal:
- Recruitment Office, Lords Ground Military Base, 186 Old Ford Road (K.E. Masinga Road), Durban, 4000
- Enquiries: 012 5718/5754/5703
- Western Cape:
- Castle of Good Hope Recruitment Office, Block C, C/O Buitenkant and Darling Street (Opposite Parade Ground), Cape Town, 8000
- Enquiries: 021 787 1023/4
For a complete list of regional offices and more details, refer to the official Department of Defence website:
Ensure you meet all the requirements and submit your application before the closing date. Good luck with your application!
The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has concluded its Military Skills Development System (MSDS) application process for the 2025 intake. The application period opened in January 2025 and closed on 15 March 2025.
Key Details:
- Application Period: January 2025 – 15 March 2025
- Closing Date: 15 March 2025
- Reporting for Duty: Successful candidates are expected to report for duty at the beginning of 2026. Defence Web
Application Forms:
Application forms for the 2025 MSDS intake were available for download from the official Department of Defence website and could also be obtained at regional recruitment offices. The forms were specific to each branch of the SANDF:
- SA Army: Application forms were available for the SA Army MSD 2025 intake. Defence Web
- SA Air Force: Separate forms were provided for pilot/navigator positions and support careers. Pilot – Application form (PDF 105kb)
- SA Navy: Application forms were available for the SA Navy MSD 2025 intake. Defence Web
- SA Military Health Service: Application forms were available for the SA Military Health Service MSD 2025 intake. Defence Web
Regional Recruitment Offices:
Applicants could submit their completed application forms at various regional recruitment offices across South Africa. For example, in Limpopo, the Army Support Recruitment Office is located at 145 Gateway Road, Polokwane, 0700.
Important Note:
If you have not been contacted by 31 December 2024, consider your application unsuccessful.
For the most current information and updates, please refer to the official Department of Defence website or contact the nearest regional recruitment office.
For more detailed information and to download the application forms, visit the official SANDF website or contact the nearest regional office.
Please note that the application process is free of charge. Be cautious of any individuals or organizations requesting payment for application forms or submission services.
The history of military training in South Africa
spans several phases, beginning with the establishment of the Dutch East India Company’s military training centre in 1786. However, this initiative did not flourish due to the financial difficulties and collapse of the Dutch East India Company.
Post the Union of South Africa in 1910, military training gained structure with the establishment of the South African Military College under the South African Defence Act, 1912. Initially, it included the South African Military School and the School of Musketry, later expanding to include other training branches. The College, initially based in Bloemfontein, moved to Tempe in 1914 for improved facilities. Training was temporarily disrupted during World War I, with the college’s staff transferred to Potchefstroom.
After the war, the South African Military School resumed operations in 1920 at Roberts Heights, and in 1924, it officially became the South African Military College. By the late 1920s, combined training for army and air force cadets was introduced. During the Second World War, military training intensified with the College training thousands of soldiers, and several new branches were introduced or transferred.
Post-war developments saw the formation of the Defence Force Academy in 1950, and in 1951, the South African Air Force College was established separately. The South African Army College, as it was renamed in 1968, became a key institution for senior leader training.
The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) structured its training formations, with the Army Training Formation handling basic soldier training and specialized formations, such as the School of Signals, School of Armour, and Infantry School, each focused on their respective military branches. Soldiers undergo a comprehensive 22-week basic military training (BMT) followed by specialized training in their assigned formations. Leadership training is provided at various institutions, with the South African Army College focusing on senior-level leadership and joint military operations.
Today, the SANDF conducts a range of training programs, including joint warfare and research at various centres like the South African Military Academy and the SA Army Combat Training Centre.
Ensure that all information provided is accurate and complete to avoid delays or disqualification. Good luck with your application.