Over 1,000 RSLAF Recruits Complete First Phase of Training at Benguema Barracks

More than 1,000 cadets and recruits of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) have successfully completed the first phase of their military training after a passing-out ceremony at Benguema Barracks.

The ceremony, held on Saturday, 4 July 2026, marked the completion of the initial phase of a nine-month training programme being conducted at the Peace Mission Training Centre (PMTC) and the Armed Forces Training Centre (AFTC).

The recruits form the second batch enlisted under government plans to strengthen the Armed Forces through the recruitment of 3,000 young Sierra Leoneans.

Approved in 2023, the recruitment programme is being implemented in three phases and forms part of the government’s youth employment initiative under the Big Five Game Changers agenda.

According to the RSLAF, the initiative is aimed not only at creating employment opportunities for young people but also at strengthening the military by addressing personnel shortages caused by retirement, resignation, death, medical discharge, dismissal, desertion, and other forms of attrition.

The Armed Forces recruited its first batch of 1,017 cadets and recruits in 2025, with the second batch now progressing through the training cycle.

Their completion of the first phase marks another milestone in the training process ahead of subsequent stages leading to full deployment into military service.