About this career
The mission of the SA Navy is to provide seaward military service by developing, managing, and maintaining capabilities for maritime operations, support services, hydrographical services, and assistance operations, requiring highly trained and motivated personnel.
A navy officer serves in the SA Navy, fulfilling roles in combat, intelligence, engineering, finance, personnel management, and logistical support. Officers lead naval operations, manage sophisticated weapons and systems, and ensure the effectiveness of maritime warfare. Non-commissioned officers and technical personnel maintain ships, operate weapons, and support services ashore. Specialisations include combat operations, naval intelligence, engineering, and provisioning, with opportunities to advance to command positions within ships, submarines, and naval divisions.
Tasks performed by navy officers include:
- Leading and managing naval operations and personnel in various branches.
- Ensuring the effective use of naval weapons, electronic systems, and propulsion services.
- Gathering and evaluating intelligence to maximise operational efficiency and security.
- Overseeing financial control, budget management, and audits within the navy.
- Providing logistical and administrative support, including recruiting, training, and career management.
- Maintaining ships and equipment, including specialised roles in combat and technical branches.
The future of work:
In the future, navy careers will involve advanced technology, cybersecurity, and modern defence systems. Personnel will operate drones, AI-driven ships, and high-tech surveillance equipment. Essential skills will include strategic thinking, technical expertise, and physical fitness. Traditional roles in navigation, engineering, and combat will remain, but automation will change how tasks are performed. Human decision-making will still be needed for leadership and crisis response.
Naval College:
Officers: all junior officers who have been accepted, receive their 12 weeks basic orientation and training at the Naval College in Gordon’s Bay in the Western Cape, to gain practical experience. On completion of the basic training, candidates undergo a further selection procedures. Successful candidates continue with Formative Training for Officers Part I. They then proceed with training in their specific direction.
Officers who have the required academic aptitude are sent to the Military Academy to study for their B.Mil. degree, or attend the University of Stellenbosch to be trained as engineers.
Those who wish to become naval technical officers, study diplomas at universities of technology. Later in their careers, officers attend a series of courses at the Naval Staff College in Muizenberg, where they receive training in Management, Strategy and other advanced subjects, in order to qualify them for senior command and staff appointments.
Non-Commissioned Officers: Basic training for all Permanent Force recruits takes place at SAS Saldanha. Technical training takes place at SAS Wingfield. Combat and other non-technical specialist training takes place at SAS Simonsberg in Simons Town. Throughout their careers, Permanent Force members periodically return to these training units, to do more advanced courses.
SA Navy
The naval officer who distinguishes himself can rise through the ranks to command a ship, a submarine, flotillas, divisions and areas.
South African Navy Recruiting Centre
Chief of the Navy
Private Bag 104
Pretoria, 0001
Tel: (012) 339-4252 / (012) 339-4421
http://www.navy.mil.za/sancareers/physical_training.htm
South African National Defence Force (SANDF)
Media Liaison Officer: Department of Defence
Defence Headquarters, Armscor Building
cnr Delmas Avenue and Nossob Streets
Erasmusrand
Tel: (012) 355-6200
http://www.dod.mil.za
- arrange to speak to a naval employee about this type of career
- contact the SA Navy for more information or look at their website
