As part of efforts in line with President George M. Weah’s objective to augment the current strength of the AFL and boost its readiness capacity, the Ministry of Defense (MOD)/Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) launched a recruitment drive in early January 2022. The recruitment provided an opportunity for young Liberians who met the eligibility standards to serve.
The MOD/AFL will, accordingly, conduct a graduation ceremony at the Barclay Training Center in Monrovia on December 22, 2022 for 178 recruits who have completed the Initial Entry Training (IET). The graduating class comprises of 56 females and 120 males, and the recruitment process represents a geographical balance of Liberia and was conducted at several strategic and geographical locations: Montserrado, Bomi, Bong, Grand Gedeh and Maryland counties.
The recruitment process consisted of three vigorous and stringent phases; Phase One: the intake (screening of academic documents, aptitude test and initial medical and physical fitness test). Successful applicants from phase one were placed into Phase Two: an in-person-interview, background check, and public vetting; the final phase, which is Phase Three, consisted of a call-to-service letter and final medical and physical examinations. Successful applicants in the order of merits based on the above criteria were selected for IET.
This graduation ceremony marks the completion of over 12 weeks of intense basic military training conducted at the Tubman Military Academy, Camp Todee, Montserrado County.
Additionally, the IET was intended to transform civilians into military personnel. During the training, basic military skills are instilled into the recruits. After graduation, the soldiers will return to the military academy to undergo advance individual training (AIT); thereafter, they will be assigned at various units/formations of the AFL. Meanwhile, 24 officer candidates (OC) are also undergoing training at the Officer Candidate School, Tubman Military Academy, Todee. Officer candidates are personnel with various professional qualifications, including medical doctors, engineers, etc. The OC class is expected to graduate early next year.
Members of the general public are invited and encouraged to be seated at 0700hrs at the Barclay Training Center, United Nations Drive.