South African Air Force (SAAF) Recuitment 2024/2025

The South African Air Force (SAAF) will soon start accepting applications for recruitment so if you are a South African interested in serving your country through the Air Force, you should start preparing to apply. Application begins in February each year and a specific closing date will be given.

South Africa Air Force Careers

The SAAF offers several varied and exciting careers, both in the air and on the ground. These are the following careers you can undertake if you decide to join:

• Aircrew – Pilot or Navigator
• Aircrew – Other
• Command and Control
• Aviation Maintenance
• Engineering / Apprenticeship
• General Maintenance
• Support
• Reserve Squadrons

Military Skills Development Program (MSDS)

The Military Skills Development System(MSDS)is a Department of Defence initiative that started in 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 of tertiary qualification or a Degree to the age of 26 years.

After the MSDS program, selected applicants will join the South African National Defence Force for an initial period of two years of 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.

General Entry Requirements for the MSDS

The general entry requirement to join the South African Air Force is that every candidate must be fit to serve in a military environment. The minimum general entry requirements for the Military Skills Development Program (MSDS) is that you must be:

• A South African Citizen (No dual citizenship)
• Age between 18 and 22 at the time of joining (Completed Grade 12 or N3 with 6 subjects including two languages) or
  not more than 26 if in possession of a 3-year tertiary qualification (Degree, National Diploma or N6 with N4 and N5 prescript)
• Preferably single
• Comply with medical fitness requirements for appointment in the SANDF
• Currently in Grade 12 or completed Grade 12 or equivalent with subjects specific to a career selection
• Not be area-bound
• Must not have a criminal record
• Comply with medical fitness requirements for appointment in the SAND
• Comply with all other 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.

Note that these are just general requirements, and there will be additional requirements that might have to be met, depending on the specific training demands of some of the more specialised occupations.

South African Air Force (SAAF) Intake Selection Process

After the applications are over, candidates who meet the minimum requirements will be subjected to further screening. These candidates identified will then be invited to partake in a selection process, which includes:

Psychometric Evaluation – to assess the candidate’s aptitude and potential to develop in the position that was applied for.

Selection Board (formal interview) – to assess the applicant’s interest in the position applied for, as well as his or her interest in the Defence Force in general.

Medical Evaluation – conducted by appointed military medical practitioners to assess the applicant’s medical history and current medical status.

Criminal Records – The fingerprints of applicants will be sent to the Criminal Record Bureau for verification.

Offer of Employment – Successful applicants will receive an offer of employment. Candidates who are not successful will be informed by correspondence.

South African Air Force Application Forms 2024/2025

If you are interested in applying to join the SAAF, you have to download the 2024/2025 application form (.pdf) for the particular career you want to apply for. Below are the forms: