SANDF ready for international competition

The South African National Defense Force’s (SANDF) military force department, in collaboration with the Rand Orientating Club, will host skills training for their Military Skills International competition in Europe this July.

The SANDF military force is expected to compete in this competition among the Nato teams in different categories, which include land obstacles, swimming obstacles, and target shooting (both pistol and rifle).

According to SANDF Military Skills second in charge David Labuschagne, the team always hosts these landmark and water-related trainings once a month to help their teams familiarise themselves with the challenges and better prepare for the competition.

“These trainings help us check the parts that we need to work on more and try to improve, and these competitions also help all involved parties learn from those who are doing better,” David said.

Both SANDF squads consist of four male and female members who will compete in all different categories. The competition is expected to take only six days, which accommodates the training and the competition dates. All participating squads need to train how to use the weapons and equipment provided to them.

The SANDF had its final Military Skill Development System intake in March and managed to recruit over 300 personnel. Only those selected through training were eligible to make it into the preliminary squads, and further selective processes were conducted to reduce the number.

The personnel camped in different nature reserves, including Kloofendal Nature Reserve, to help with preparations for the upcoming competition.

“We camp in at least one nature reserve a month because this helps us create difficult training sessions for our squads. Unlike camping in a nature reserve, these squads will find it easy to complete our tasks as they are already familiar with the reserve,” David added.

The SANDF made their military skills international competition debut in 1995 and couldn’t claim any record from the competition as they were still finding their feet using different squads and training skills.

The team dominated in their 2014 competition, claiming good results based on their overall performance in the competition. The SANDF also won the military medical competition. The team believes they will make their mark in the upcoming competition and add more international records.