What Are The Roles And Responsibilities Of Cadets In Kenya?

What do you think are the roles and responsibilities of cadets in Kenya? In this article, you will be given detailed information about the roles and responsibilities of cadets in Kenya, salary, benefits, and more.

Serving in the armed forces has always been popular, and the reasons for joining the service are varied as the individuals themselves. Numerous people submit their applications during the nationwide cadet recruitment exercise in Kenya to join the force. What are the roles, salary, and benefits of the job?

Who Is A Cadet?

Cadet jobs are advertised every year in Kenya. It is one of Kenya’s most anticipated recruitments exercises as it allows job seekers to join the defence forces. Even though many pursue the position, they might not be aware of its significance. What does it mean to be a cadet in Kenya?

A cadet is a rank that officers hold immediately after training in Lanet. They are the most junior officers among the commissioned officers in service. Once a cadet is designated, they gain the first rank of the second lieutenant, which they hold for up to three years.

Cadet Qualifications In Kenya

If you are looking to join the military through advertised cadet positions, you have to make sure that you meet the minimum qualifications as advertised. Ordinarily, the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) recruits General Service Officer (GSO) and Specialist Officers.

General Conditions For GSO’s And Specialist Officers

Any prospective candidate looking to join the Kenya Defence Forces must meet specific general requirements as specified below:

• Be a Kenyan citizen without dual citizenship.
• Must possess a valid National Identity card plus four copies of National Identity Card and PIN certificate.
• Aged between 18 and 26 years for General Service Officer cadets, General Duty Recruits, and tradesmen/women with certificate/ Government Trade Test. Less than 30 years for Specialist Officers, tradesmen/women with a diploma and not above 39 years for chaplains/imams.
• Have ideal physical capabilities (physically fit) per KDF standards.
• Be at least 1.6 m for men and 1.52 metres for women.
• Have a weight of not less than 54 kg for men and 50 kg for women.
• Female candidates are not to be pregnant during the application and the period of training.
• Any specialist officer and tradesman should have at least two years of practising experience in their respective fields.

Academic Qualifications For Cadets In Kenya

Potential recruits also have to meet specific minimum educational requirements before going to cadet training school in Kenya.

General Service Officers (GSO) Cadets

If you are interested in this position, you ought to hold a mean grade of B (plain) in KCSE with C+ in English, Mathematics, and one science subject. Successful candidates undergo a three-year training period before attaining a BSc in Military Science and Security Studies.

General Service Officer (GSO) Cadet – Undergraduates

Must have a mean grade of B (plain) in KCSE and hold an undergraduate degree from a recognized university in the required disciplines. They undergo a training of 11 months.

Specialist Officers

Applicants ought to possess a minimum of B (plain) in their KCSE except for chaplains/imams who can qualify with a mean grade of C+ (plus). On top of that, they must hold an undergraduate degree from a recognized institution in the relevant disciplines. Specialist Officers are trained for six months.

Servicemen/Women (General Duty) Recruits

If you are interested in this position, you should hold a minimum of D (plain) in KCSE.

Tradesmen/Women

Applicants interested in the technician opening must have a mean grade of C (plain) in KCSE and a relevant diploma from a recognized institution. On the other hand, artisans should have a minimum grade of D+ in KCSE and either a certificate with Government Trade Test Grade II or Craft II from a renowned institution.

On top of this, National Youth Service (NYS) and trained technicians are encouraged to apply for the positions.

Constables

Candidates looking to become constables must fulfil certain conditions to be accepted for training. First, they should be a retired Kenya Defence Force Service Member or a retired National Youth Serviceman/woman. They must be between the ages of 30 and 35 for the former and 35 and 45.

A Discharge Certificate with a minimum rating of “Very Good in conduct is also required and must have served for nine years of colour service and retired honourably from KDF.

Cadet Duties And Responsibilities

Are you wondering about the duties of an officer cadet? Cadets are the starting point for all commissioned officers and secure different positions after successful training in their respective professions in the military.

For instance, undergraduate degree holders can join as Air Traffic Control Officer, Architecture, Business Manager, Catering, Counselling, Environmental Specialist and many more.

Of course, they are supposed to discharge their military duties as stipulated by the army discipline according to their superior’s instructions.

Cadets Salary In Kenya

The KDF monthly salaries are reviewed every four years by the government and are increased based on the prevailing economic situation in the country. So, how much do cadets earn in Kenya?

Cadets earn approximately Ksh.70,000 every month, with other allowances included. The following is an overview of the salary of Kenya Defence Officers.

• Recruits earn a monthly salary of Ksh.7,172.
• Lance corporals earn between Ksh.26,509 and Ksh.50,000.
• Corporals earn between Ksh.32,250 and Ksh.70,000.
• Captains earn between Ksh.73,182 and Ksh.110,000.
• Majors earn between Ksh.102,106 and Ksh.150,000.
• Lieutenant colonels earn Ksh.130,735 and Ksh.180,000.
• Colonels earn between Ksh.153,317 and Ksh.300,000.
• Lieutenant generals have a salary of between Ksh.632,000 and Ksh.800,000.

The Chief of Defence Forces earns between Ksh.894,897 and Ksh.1,000,000.

Are cadets paid during training? This is one of the biggest concerns for people looking to join the military during the nationwide cadet recruitment. During practice, officers earn the minimum amount according to the KDF salary scale as they wait to be recruited to higher ranks and a higher salary.

Benefits

One of the best things about working for the military in Kenya is that you will hardly have any financial problems regardless of rank. If you reside in the army barracks, you will enjoy certain benefits like subsidized prices on common commodities.

When one becomes active and goes out for missions, they are paid hefty allowances on top of their salaries. These benefits and the experience one gains from the military are among the most significant advantages of being a cadet in Kenya.

Difference Between Cadet And Specialist Officers

The role of cadets in Kenya is different from that of specialist officers in certain aspects. You might be wondering what makes the two vary, considering they are both under Kenya Defence Force.

First, they undergo different training periods upon recruitment. Cadets undergo training for 11 months for undergraduates and three years for those with only a KCSE certificate. Special Service Officers undergo training of only 6 months to become active.

Specialist Service Officers enter the service with an underlying experience in their fields, while a cadet doesn’t require the expertise in most cases.

The role of cadets in Kenya is entailed in the positions they take once commissioned. However, one thing is clear: they abide by the military code of conduct and fulfill all responsibilities as stipulated.

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