The content of this section is for general information purposes only. This website
does not actively recruit on behalf of the SAAF / SANDF and all applicants are
encouraged to contact the relevant Recruitment office directly.
The official website of the Directorate Human
Resource Acquisition of the SANDF can be found at
www.careers.mil.za.
So, you've decided that you'd
like to join the SAAF?
Personnel are the most important resource that the SAAF
whose success is largely dependent on the extent to which its members are developed
and utilised. The airforce considers it essential to recruit young volunteers
who are prepared to serve in the air force for a limited period of time or to
remain in a lifelong appointment.
The SAAF offers a number of varied and exciting careers, both in the air and on
the ground. What would you like to do?
Military Skills Development System
(MSDS)
The Military Skills Development
System (MSDS) is a Department of Defence initiative that has been implemented
since 2003. The MSDS serves as the entry platform for young South Africans who
seek a career in the South African National Defence Force. Prospective
applicants must have a Grade 12 qualification and be between 18 and 22 years
old, or a Diploma with at least three (3) years tertiary qualification or a
Degree to the age of 26 years. Selected applicants join the South African
National Defence Force through the MSDS for an initial period of two year's
voluntary service, during which they will receive military training and further
functional training. Further functional training includes a wide variety of
options, varying from specialised musterings such as Engineering to general
support musterings such as Material Support Clerks.
Training for all MSDS members commences with Basic Military Training, during
which basic military skills and discipline are taught. This is followed by a
further selection process during which members can apply for junior leader
training as officers or non-commissioned officers. After having completed their
military formative training, members proceed to undertake functional training
in any one of the specialist occupations. Selected members with the required academic
qualifications are also sent to universities or the Military Academy.
Towards the end of the second year (unless otherwise indicated), the member
will be given the opportunity to indicate whether he or she would like to
extend the contract or leave the Air Force. An extension of the contract will
mainly depend on the member's performance over the two years and the
availability of posts in the relevant functional field. Most of these members
continue to serve in the Regular component of the SANDF after having completed
their functional training and tertiary studies, where applicable. Others are
obliged to render service in the Defence Reserves if they are not translated to
the Core Service System.
MSDS General Entry
Requirements
There is a general entry requirement for joining the air
force as everyone must be fit to serve in a military environment. Each
mustering in the SAAF, also known as occupational class in the public service
and trade in the technical environment of civil aviation, has requirements for
specific educational qualifications, additional personal attributes and a
willingness to serve under the working conditions of that mustering.
The minimum general entry requirements for the Military Skills Development
Program (MSDS) are that you must be:
- A
South African Citizen and relinquish any other citizenship
- Age
between 18 and 22 at the time of joining (Not more than 26 for graduates)
- Must
be single when applying and remain single for the duration of training
- Comply
with medical fitness requirements for appointment in the SANDF
- Currently
in Grade 12 or completed Grade 12
- Not
be area bound
- Must
not have a criminal record
- Comply
with all the prescribed requirements for appointment in the SANDF
- Must
be willing to relocate and to participate in deployments both in South
Africa and abroad if required to do so
- Be
recommended by a selection board.
Apart from
these general requirements, additional requirements might have to be met,
depending on the specific training demands of some of the more specialised
occupations.
Selection Process
Applications complying with the
minimum requirements will be subjected to further screening. Candidates
identified will then be invited to partake in a selection process.
The selection process entails the following:
Psychometric evaluation:
The aim is to assess the candidates aptitude and potential to develop in the
position that was applied for. The nature of these tests will depend on the
position applied for.
Selection Board (formal interview):
A Selection Board will be conducted in order to assess the applicants interest
in the position applied for, as well as his or her interest in the Defence
Force in general. The interview will also focus on self- confidence, leadership
potential and communication skills.
Medical Evaluation:
A comprehensive medical evaluation will be conducted by appointed military
medical practitioners in order to assess the applicants medical history and
current medical status. All applicants must be declared fit for military
training before commencement.
Criminal Records:
Fingerprints of applicants will be sent to the Criminal Record Bureau for
verification . Records of convictions will be evaluated based on the severity
thereof and how recently the offence(s) occurred.
Offer of Employment
Successful applicants will receive an offer of employment. Candidates who are
not successful will be informed by correspondence. It is unfortunate that not
all applicants who are recommended for training will receive an offer of
employment due to the large amount of applications received.
Basic Military Training
Basic Military Training is compulsory to all uniform
personnel of the SA National Defence Force and is presented at the Air Force
Gymnasium Boston (AFB Hoedspruit), over a period of approximately 13 weeks.
The following subjects will, amongst others, be presented during the training
period:
- Drill
- Military
law
- Military
ceremonies
- Buddy
aid
- Physical
training and Soldiership
Serving in the air force is
far more than just having a job, it is a way of life.
Serving in the air force means more than just having a job. When not on duty,
your behaviour has also to be beyond reproach as civil society looks up to you.
You have to set an example at all times. Volunteers are required to pledge that
they will uphold a strict Code of Conduct.
What you do constitutes a vocation when you serve in the air force. You invest
most of your time in the air force and in a real sense you become identified
with the air force. Your whole personality development is associated with what
you do and how you do it.
Viewing your work as a vocation, of which the ultimate function is the
preservation of a worthwhile way of life for all the inhabitants of South
Africa, permits you to find meaningfulness and a sense of accomplishment.
Serving in the air force requires particular psychological and physical attributes
and the intellectual potential for developing the unique competencies required
in the air force. Not everybody has these attributes and it is a selected few
who will qualify for appointment in the air force.
Individuals who join the airforce are required to have certain basic
attributes, while each mustering (or occupational class) include additional
attribute requirements. For example, electricians must not be colour blind, as
they have to identify wiring in circuits by colour codes. Exclusion from one
mustering does not disqualify you from being considered for another.
The SAAF needs all-rounders who will be able to accept the responsibility of
leadership. Leadership in the air force is split between officers and other
ranks. The officer is required to make considered judgements and warrant
officers and non-commissioned officers lead and motivate their subordinates.
They form the backbone of the air force and support the officers.
As a junior NCO and junior officer you function at a level in the air force
where you are responsible to do what is required of you.
At the same time you are required to develop as an officer or NCO, and you are
given the opportunity to undertake new tasks in addition to your normal tasks
for which you were trained.
Ability depends on yourself; you either have it or not, -and in both instances
you can improve yourself if you are prepared to develop yourself and make full
use of the learning opportunities provided. At an early stage in your career it
is essential to gain experience in the work place, for this provides the
credibility needed to earn respect in senior positions.
Experience is gained through optimum exposure to a variety of situations. It is
not gained overnight. You develop more rapidly at an early age when you are
still in a formative phase. Later it becomes more difficult to adapt to the
military way of life.
For more information, please
contact the
SAAF Recruitment Office:
SA Air
Force Headquarters
Air Command
(Directorate Human Resource Services)
Recruitment Office
Private Bag X199
Pretoria
0001
Fax:
(012) 312 2138
Phone:
(012) 312 2148 / 2609
