Freetown, Sierra Leone* — The Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) has announced the commencement of a major nationwide recruitment exercise aimed at enlisting 1,000 qualified Sierra Leoneans into the military.
According to the Armed Forces, the recruitment process officially opens on Thursday, January 22, 2026, with applications to be submitted at the nearest military location across the country.
Recruitment Categories
The exercise covers multiple entry streams, including:
* Direct Entry Cadets (Non-Specialists)
* Direct Entry Cadets (Specialists)
* Direct Entry Cadets (Serving Soldiers)
* Direct Entry Recruits (Non-Tradesmen)
* Direct Entry Recruits (Tradesmen)
General Eligibility Requirements
All applicants, regardless of category, must:
* Be natural-born citizens of Sierra Leone, supported by a valid National Identity Card;
* Have no criminal record, particularly for serious offences such as murder, treason, robbery, fraud, or dishonesty. A Police Clearance is required and must be submitted no later than the final selection stage, scheduled to begin on February 27, 2026;
* Meet minimum height requirements: 5 feet 5 inches for males and 5 feet 3 inches for females;
* Be medically and physically fit, as determined through medical and physical assessments during the selection process;
* Demonstrate good character and conduct, supported by a letter of recommendation from a recognised community, religious or traditional leader, or a unit commander for serving soldiers.
Category-Specific Requirements
For Direct Entry Cadets (Non-Specialists), applicants must hold a recognised first degree and be aged 18 to 30 years.
Applicants under Direct Entry Cadets (Specialists) must possess a first degree in fields such as medicine, engineering, agriculture, education, law, business, ICT, environmental sciences, or related disciplines, and be aged 18 to 40 years.
Serving soldiers applying as Direct Entry Cadets must hold a first degree and fall within the 18 to 35 years age range.
Those applying as Direct Entry Recruits (Non-Tradesmen) must have completed basic education, evidenced by a BECE certificate, and be aged 18 to 25 years.
Applicants for Direct Entry Recruits (Tradesmen) must present a recognised vocational or apprenticeship certificate or diploma, possess at least five years of practical experience, and be aged 18 to 40 years.
Submission of Applications
Applicants are required to submit their documents, including four passport-size photographs, to the nearest military location, from where they will be forwarded to the appropriate regional recruitment centres.
Each region has designated recruitment headquarters located in Kenema (Eastern Region), Freetown (Western Area), Makeni (Northern Region), Bo (Southern Region), and Lungi (North-Western Region).
Deadline and Additional Information
The deadline for submission of applications is Wednesday, February 4, 2026.
The RSLAF has encouraged interested Sierra Leoneans who meet the criteria to take advantage of the opportunity to serve their country. Further information about the Armed Forces can be accessed via the Ministry of Defence/Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces Facebook page.
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