The Military Skills Development System is the entry-level recruitment programme of the

South African National Defence Force The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) comprises the armed forces of South Africa. The commander of the SANDF is appointed by the President of South Africa from one of the armed services. They are in turn accountable to the Minister ...

. It provides entry-level recruits to the South African Army,

Air Force An air force – in the broadest sense – is the national military branch that primarily conducts aerial warfare. More specifically, it is the branch of a nation's armed services that is responsible for aerial warfare as distinct from an ...

Navy A navy, naval force, or maritime force is the branch of a nation's armed forces principally designated for naval and amphibious warfare; namely, lake-borne, riverine, littoral, or ocean-borne combat operations and related functions. It in ...

and Medical Service. It has been running since 2003.

Programme

The programme is aimed at rejuvenating an aging defence force and ensuring the continuous flow of young and fit soldiers. The programme is also aimed at creating an increased state of military readiness, by enlarging the South African military reserves. Recruits must first pass a psychometric test which consists of mathematics, word problems and non verbal reasoning. If a recruit fails the test they are ejected from the selection process. Once the test has been completed the recruits select a corps that they want to train in (example - infantry) .The remaining recruits will then go for a full body medical examination. Those who are declared medically fit will then proceed and be interviewed.Navy.mil.za - Military Skills Development System
/ref> Recruits enlist for an initial two-year period, after which they will be considered for further service in the Permanent Force. Those who do not qualify will serve part-time in the reserve forces for a period of five years. Outstanding recruits get selected and trained as leaders, either as non commissioned officer or candidate officers. If they complete the officers-formative training course candidate-officers are sent to the military academy in Saldanha for at least one year.

References

Military education and training in South Africa {{SouthAfrica-mil-stub