THE Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) has disbanded its Directorate of Recruiting and cancelled the current 1/26 recruitment training intake, as part of a sweeping review aimed at overhauling its recruitment system.
Chief of the PNGDF, Philip Polewara, announced that the review commenced today and is being led by Deputy Chief of Defence Force, Opa Lari Opa.
Polewara said the immediate disbandment of the recruiting directorate at Murray Barracks and the cancellation of the ongoing intake were necessary steps to allow for a thorough and effective review of the force’s recruitment processes.
He explained that the PNGDF has been undergoing institutional reforms since 2023, including efforts to modernize outdated systems. Among these reforms was the relocation of payroll control to Murray Barracks.
However, he acknowledged that many of the force’s systems are more than 50 years old and no longer fit for purpose.
“As is evident, those systems have outlived their time,” Polewara said.
The review will focus on developing and operationalizing a modern and efficient recruitment system. Brigadier General
Opa will oversee the process, with a mandate to design a system better suited to current needs.
One option under consideration is integrating PNGDF’s recruitment processes with the Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, allowing the force to recruit directly from secondary schools.
The PNGDF says the reforms are part of broader efforts to strengthen institutional capacity and ensure a more transparent, efficient, and merit-based recruitment system moving forward.
In the past the disciplinary forces used to recruit direct from high schools and secindary schools. Why is it not happening now a days?