Army to recruit 1 400 cadets

THE Namibian Defence Force (NDF) is planning to recruit 1 400 new cadets.

In a leaked letter seen by
, NDF chief Martin Pinehas instructed the heads of the military school to prepare for the planned training of new recruits.

The training is planned for the second quarter of the year, to take place at the Okahandja military school.

In addition to the training, a regular commissioning course is also planned for 150 cadets who will be drawn from the 1 400.

Fifty cadets will also have to attend a course for professionally qualified officers and a ceremonial course for 25 members

“It is against this background that the military school is hereby directed to commence with preparations to conduct the courses stated above, and should provide the course requirements and its readiness to defence headquarters not later than 6 May,” said Pinehas.

According to Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs head of public relations colonel Petrus Shilumbu, the planned recruitment is as a result of the retirement, resignation and deployment of members over the years.

“We have many retirements, because many members joined the NDF at independence 32 years ago. Most were in their late 20s at the time. In recent years we have up to 400 of them retiring in a year,” said Shilumbu.

He said when recruitment starts, the NDF will be seeking those ready to serve and not opportunists.

“You find that someone who is in their second year of studies at an institution of higher learning will apply because they are struggling to pay their tuition fees. Once they are admitted, they go on to complete their studies and resign after graduation.”

Shilumbu noted that trained soldiers with degrees are easily absorbed by the corporate world because they are disciplined.

He clarified that the letter was not meant to be a recruitment advert, but simply a notice to begin preparations.

“There is no recruitment happening right now; it will be made public through different platforms once it is confirmed,” he said.

The last time the NDF recruited new members was in 2016.

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