South African Army Military Skills Development System (MSDS) – 2026 Intake
Are you ready to serve your country and build a rewarding career in the military? 🇿🇦 The South African Army invites young, ambitious individuals to apply for the Military Skills Development System (MSDS) – 2026 Intake. This two-year program provides military training, skill development, and an opportunity to contribute to national security with pride and discipline.
📅 Closing Date: 28 March 2025
🔹 What is the Military Skills Development System (MSDS)?
The MSDS is a two-year contract-based program designed to equip young South Africans with military and functional training. It consists of:
✅ First Year: Basic military training and specialized functional training. ✅ Second Year: Deployment in various operational units to gain practical experience.
📝 General Requirements
To qualify for the MSDS 2026 intake, applicants must meet the following criteria:
✔️ South African Citizenship (No dual citizenship permitted) ✔️ Age Requirements:
- 18 – 22 years (with Grade 12 qualification)
- 18 – 26 years (with a 3-year tertiary qualification or N6 certificate) ✔️ Educational Requirements:
- Successfully completed Grade 12
- Admission Point Score (APS): 17 or above (excluding Life Orientation) ✔️ Criminal Record: No criminal record or pending cases ✔️ Medical Fitness: Must meet medical fitness standards ✔️ Tattoos: No visible tattoos on legs, lower arms, neck, or face
🏋️ Additional Requirements
📏 Minimum Height & Weight:
- Females: Height 148 cm, Weight 48 kg
- Males: Height 155 cm, Weight 52 kg
⚖️ Body Mass Index (BMI) Requirements:
- Females: BMI 18.5 – 30
- Males: BMI 19 – 30
🔍 Selection Process Includes:
- Drug testing
- Psychometric and medical evaluations
- Criminal record verification
- Pre-screening and qualification verification
🎖️ Available Career Opportunities in the SA Army
The MSDS program provides training in multiple career fields, including:
🔹 Infantry 🔹 Armour 🔹 Artillery 🔹 Air Defence Artillery 🔹 Intelligence (Minimum height: 1.65 m) 🔹 Defence Intelligence (Grade 12 with a Bachelor’s pass – English L4, Mathematics L4, Physical Science L4, Geography & History L4) 🔹 Engineering (Mathematics & Physical Science L3) 🔹 Signalers 🔹 Human Resources 🔹 Logistics 🔹 Fire & Rescue (Mathematics & Physical Science L4) 🔹 Hospitality 🔹 Music 🔹 Technical Services (Mathematics & Physical Science L3) 🔹 Military Police 🔹 Ammunition (Mathematics & Physical Science L5 or N3 in Mechanical/Electrical Engineering, Fitting & Turning)
📌 How to Apply
Applicants must hand-deliver or post their application to the nearest Recruitment Centre:
📍 SA Army HQ, Chief Directorate Army Corporate Services
✉️ Directorate Army Human Resources, Recruitment Section
📮 Private Bag X981, Pretoria, 0001
🔗 DOWNLOAD APPLICATION FORM HERE
📄 Required Documents
Applicants must submit the following certified copies:
📍 Proof of Residence (or a letter from Village Chief) 📍 Curriculum Vitae (CV) 📍 ID Document 📍 Matric Certificate (Only the 2024 statement of results will be accepted) 📍 Tertiary Qualifications (if applicable)
🏢 Regional Recruitment Offices & Contact Details
📌 Free State: Army Support Base Bloemfontein, Pappa Brits Street, Tempe, Bloemfontein, 9300 | 📞 051 402 1262
📌 Western Cape: Castle of Good Hope, Block C, C/O Buiten & Strand Street, Cape Town, 8000 | 📞 021 787 1023/4
📌 Limpopo: Army Support Base, Gateway Road, Polokwane, 0699 | 📞 015 299 3318
📌 KwaZulu-Natal: Lords Ground Military Base, 186 Old Ford Road, Durban | 📞 012 339 5042
📌 Eastern Cape: Army Support Base, Willow Drive, Forest Hill, Port Elizabeth, 6013 | 📞 041 505 1101/1268
📌 Northern Cape: Army Support Base, Kimberley, General Khan Van Der Spuy Avenue, Diskobolos, Kimberley, 8301 | 📞 053 830 3204
📌 North West: Army Support Base, Grobler Street (R53) & Eleazer Road, Potchefstroom, 2531 | 📞 018 289 3322
📌 Gauteng: Recruitment Office, C/O Visagie & Paul Kruger Street, Pretoria, 0001 | 📞 012 339 5718/5754/5042
📌 Mpumalanga:
- Army Support Base: 8 Spruit Street, Mbombela, 1201 | 📞 013 756 2113/2181
- 4 SA Infantry Battalion: C/O Dr Beyers Naude & Boncker Street, Middleburg, 1050 | 📞 013 249 3534
📅 Important Dates & Information
🚨 Application Closing Date: 28 March 2025
📌 If you have not been contacted by 31 December 2025, please consider your application unsuccessful.
⚠️ Important Notice: The SA National Defence Force does NOT have any online application system. Application forms are only available at the official recruitment centres mentioned above.
📞 Contact Details for Enquiries
📞 Tel: 012 355 1438 / 2130
🌍 Website: www.army.mil.za
🚨 Important Notices: ✔️ Application forms are NOT for sale! ✔️ Applicants should take note that the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) does not have any online aplication system. Forms should be obtained from the above offices.
