HOW TO JOIN THE RESERVES
There are two categories in which volunteers can join the Reserves, namely:
- Category 1. Volunteers without previous military training or service
- Category 2. Volunteers with previous military service
How to join the Reserve Force without previous military training of service:
- Through the Military Skills Development System (MSDS), young people with a grade 12 qualification, between the ages of 18 and 26 and who meet the requirements, as set out further down on this page, can join the SANDF through this system and eventually become members of the Reserve. Click on FAQs for more information about the MSDS.
- At certain academic institutions registered students studying towards a degree or a post graduate or equivalent qualification, can join the Reserves through the University Reserve Training Programme (URTP). This programme is aimed at recruiting young people in the age group 18 to 26 with the objective of training and developing them for military leadership appointments. To learn more about this programme you click on the URTP icon on the front page of this website.
- Prospective volunteers with professional qualifications or scarce skills and or capabilities required by the military can be accommodated in the Reserves. As these volunteers are recruited mainly for utilisation within their professional qualifications, the age restrictions are more lenient than in the MSDS and URTP. Services and Divisions keep a “pool of specialist” lists to which members are attached. Contact the specific Service or Division you would like to join directly.
How to join the Reserve Force when you have previous military training:
- Volunteers who have previously done military service in the statutory or non-statutory forces can apply to join the Reserve Force.
- You will need to have your original force number and complete the necessary application forms for appointment in the Reserves.
The Requirements for both categories to join the Reserve Force are as follows:
- New applicants must be between the ages of 18 and 26 years (the allocated age varies according to the category of training/service) when joining for the first time. This age band does not apply to applicants with professional or skilled qualifications.
- Applicants must pass the prescribed medical and psychometric tests for appointment in a specific post or entrance to a specific training programme.
- Applicants must sign the prescribed voluntary service contract (usually for a period of five years) and be prepared to render service when required in terms of the Defence Act and the General Regulations of the SANDF.
- If employed, the applicant’s employer must be willing to grant special leave for military activities within reasonable demands.
- Applicants must have no military or civilian criminal record.
Conditions for appointment
- Availability of a vacant.
- Medical fitness (applicants will have to undergo the prescribed SANDF military health examination).
- The successful completion of psychometric tests and appearance before a selection board (when necessary for certain appointments, eg, officer’s appointments).
Application form
Click here to download the Application Form.
After the completion of the application send the form to the specific Service/Division together with the SAPD 91 (a)/SAPS 91 (a) form from your relevant police station.
Who to contact
Go to the “Contact us” button to obtain the contact details of the various Services and Divisions.
Please note that volunteers must send their completed forms to one of the Services or Divisions and not to the Chief Defence Reserves Office, as the appointment of volunteers and the processing of the application forms are done directly by the Services and Divisions or the units under them. The Chief Defence Reserves Office does not process the appointment of volunteers.
Additional information
- Members may join the SA Army, SA Air Force, SA Navy or SA Military Health Service as well as Command and Management Information Systems (CMIS) and Legal Services.
- Once you have joined, a unit will be allocated to you where you will belong until you decide to terminate your services, resign or reach compulsory retirement age.
- Members will wear a uniform.
- Members will enjoy medical coverage during time of military service.
- Members will receive military training, eg, learning how to march, salute and shoot.
- Members will receive payment for the hours they have worked at a unit.
- The members can apply some of the skills they learn in the Defence Force to their private sector jobs.
Available Reserve Force Areas of Interest (Service) to Support the SA Army Landward Defence Capabilities
- Infantry.
- Armour.
- Artillery.
- Air Defence Artillery.
- Engineers.
- Operational Intelligence.
- Training.
- Operational Support.
Available Reserve Force Areas of Interest (Service) to Support the SA Air Force Warfare Capabilities:
- Air Force Territorial Reserve (ATR). This element is made up of eight AFR Squadrons stationed at strategic centres throughout the country. The Reserve Squadrons operate civilian-registered aircraft. The pilots must either have their own suitable aircraft or must have guaranteed access to the use of an aircraft appropriate to provide a service to the SA Air Force.
- Air Force Conventional Reserve (AFR). The conventional element of the AFR is made up of aircrew who have served in Regular Force Squadrons, protection and tactical airfield service, aeronautical technicians and other civilian aviation expertise as well as experts in disciplines relevant to the needs of the SA Air Force.
Available Reserve Force Areas of Interest (Service) to Support the SA Naval Maritime Warfare
The Navy Reserve Force offers the same career opportunities as the Regular Force. This is made possible due to the “One Force Policy” where no distinction is made between the utilization and training of members.
Available Reserve Force Areas of Interest (Service) to Support SA Military Health Service
The SA Military Health Service Reserve supports the mission of the SAMHS, to provide a comprehensive, excellent and self-supporting multi-disciplinary military health service, which ensures a healthy military community.
Other Services/Divisions/Support where Reserve Force Service can be Rendered
- Joint Operations
- Defence Corporate Communication
- Defence Intelligence
- Strategy and Planning
- Military Legal Service
- Foreign Relations
- Military Police Agency
- Service Corps
- Director Language
- Logistics
- Human Resource
- Joint Training
- Chaplain Service
- Finance
- Acquisition/Procurement
- Director Integrated Management System
- Inspector General (DIMS)
- Command and Management Information Systems (CMIS)
Retirement Age for Reserve Force Members of the SA National Defence Force
Members of the Reserve typically retire no later than the age of 65, but depending on their roles they may be required to retire earlier.
