How to Join the South African Military Health Service [SAMHS]
Have you been looking for a way to join the South African Military Health Service and you don’t know the entry requirements and the basic document needed for the application? If yes, then this informative article is for you. You will be given a step-by-step guide on the basic document which is required for the application of the South African Military Health Service.
After the birth of the SANDF out of the integration of the old SADF and other resistance movements, the SAMHS was formed on 1st July 1979. The Service incorporates other South African Military Health Services such as psychology, veterinary, and other social work branches.
Mission
The Health mission is ‘to support the SANDF by providing quality health services for the full range of armed forces deployments and to sustain the health members and armed forces and their families, and others eligible for SAMHS.
SAMHS Structure
The headquarters of the Health Service is in Gauteng, Pretoria. SAMHS operates three hospitals: The 1 Military Hospital in Pretoria and two others in Cape Town and Bloemfontein.
The Service also has four specialized units, including the Institute of Aviation Medicine, the Institute of Maritime Medicine, the Military Veterinary Institute, and the Military Psychological Institute. They provide comprehensive medical care for the armed forces and those who depend on them.
The SA Military Health Service Departments
- There is the regional medical command whose purpose is to provide support to the Army’s units, hospitals, and unit sickbays in their respective regions.
- The Medical Logistics Command is responsible for the logistics of pharmaceuticals, medical and surgical supplies, medical equipment, and any other devices needed to support the doctors and nurses in the Army.
- The Medical Training Command oversees the South African Medical Institution, the South African Military Health Service Nursing College, and the SAMHS Training Centre. This unit has also partnered with other establishments such as the University of South Africa to provide a four-year training programme in nursing.
South African Military Academy
The SAMHS also works with the SA Military Academy, which is another unit of the SANDF, to provide private military training for civilians in South Africa. The Academy houses the School of Military at the University of Stellenbosch, offering a three-year bachelor’s degree in Military Science, which includes the fields of Natural science and Social sciences. The Academy offers postgraduate programmes at the Masters and Doctorate levels.
How Do I Join The South African Military Health Service?
The SAMHS works with the Military Skills Development System to recruit citizens, allowing them to join private military training in South Africa.
The South African Military Health Service Requirements
To join the Service, one must:
- Be an SA citizen (no dual citizenship)
- Be preferably single
- Not bound to a certain area
- Have no criminal record
- Be physically and medically fit
- Be 26 years if you have a degree or a diploma
- Be 18-22 years having completed grade 12
To join, find the South African Military Health Service application forms fill them in, submit, and wait.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How Much Do SANDF Soldiers Earn?
SANDF soldiers earn from R99K to 262k a year, while registered nurses earn between R158K and R265K a year. Senior Accounting clerks make between R46k and R291K yearly.
Who Can Go To The Military Hospital?
Only the Army and their dependents can be served in an armed forces hospital.
The South African Military Health Service is a vital unit in SA, not only providing medical services to its people but also creating employment opportunities for the youth.
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