40 000 applied to join NDF

Over 40 000 people countrywide applied to be recruited into the Namibian Defence Force (NDF).

This was confirmed by head of public relations at the Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs colonel Petrus Shilumbu.

He said some constituencies received more than 6 000 applications.

Only 3 000 were shortlisted and have been invited for a written and physical fitness test that will take place at various centres countrywide from 23 August to 16 September.

“We expect all the shortlisted candidates to report on 23 August at respective regional centres. The testing will kick off at exactly 08h00. We informed them to report at 07h00,” Shilumbu said.

A number of shortlisted candidates have been earmarked for officer cadet positions for leadership, while the rest are for non-commissioned ranks.

“Officer cadets will be trained for 18 months and only get commissioned by the commander-in-chief to become officers with a rank of second lieutenant. They are the leaders, decision-makers, and managers of the defence forces. A line officer leads and motivates frontline troops, who in this case are the other ranks.”

NDF applicants who turned 18 after 31 July, or who turned 26 after that date, were not accepted, said Shilumbu.

Those who do not qualify because of their age but whose names appeared on the list are automatically disqualified, he added.