Military Skills Development

The Military Skills Development program is a South African project whose aim it is to improve the mission readiness of the South African Army, Airforce, Navy and Medical Service. It has been running since 2002, with the amounts of recruits influenced by budgetary restraints.

The recruits sign an initial 2-year contract, 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 5 years.

Some outstanding recruits get selected and trained as leaders, either as non commissioned officer or candidate officers. The candidate-officers, after finishing their officers-formative training, who qualified, will be sent to the Military Academy in Saldanha for a minimum of 1 year.

The project is aimed at rejuvenating an aging defence force and ensuring the continuous flow of young and fit soldiers. The program is also aimed at creating an increased state of military readiness, by enlarging the South African military reserves.