The Ministry of National Defense released its 2026 recruitment guide for Baccalaureate graduates, outlining conditions and benefits for joining the National People's Army across various branches. Initial registrations are exclusively online via the website http://preinscription.mdn.dz, with the guide detailing specific requirements for land, air, naval, air defense, gendarmerie, Republican Guard, and central directorates.
Candidates interested in the Special Forces must submit files to the Higher School of Special Forces in Biskra, while the National Preparatory School for Engineering Studies provides preparatory training for admission to major engineering schools. Joining Military Health Services for General Medicine requires a Baccalaureate in Experimental Sciences and Mathematics. Recruitment for military nurses is open to 2026 Baccalaureate holders in Experimental Sciences, Mathematics, and Technical Mathematics. The Gendarmerie's contract non-commissioned officer recruitment is available to Baccalaureate holders or those who completed third-year secondary education, and contract enlisted soldiers can join with a middle school certificate or at least first-year secondary level. The National People's Army Command also offers an opportunity for individuals with at least third-year secondary level, prioritizing Baccalaureate holders, to join the Naval Forces as contract non-commissioned officers after one year of training. Land Forces contract non-commissioned officers undergo one year of joint military training at the Applied School of Naval Soldiers in Jijel.
Officer Cadet Pathways
Direct recruitment for officer cadets requires candidates to possess a 2026 Baccalaureate with a minimum average of 12. Officer cadet candidates are also required to successfully pass an entrance examination, which includes both psychotechnical and sports tests. The age criteria for these officer cadets stipulate a minimum of 18 years and a maximum of 21 years by December 31, 2026. For officer cadets applying with a university degree, the age requirement is 19 years old, plus the minimum number of years necessary for the degree, also by December 31, 2026.
For the Land Forces, recruitment is open to Baccalaureate holders who have achieved an average of 12 in Experimental Sciences, Mathematics, and Technical Mathematics, specifically in the fields of Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or Process Engineering.
The Air Force provides five distinct specializations for officer training. These include a professional license for pilots, academic licenses in air navigation operations, aviation meteorology, and aviation security, as well as an academic license focused on general aviation. Air Force recruitment for officers requires a Baccalaureate average of 12 in Experimental Sciences, Mathematics, and Technical Mathematics. This assessment considers scores in Mathematics, Physics, French, English, and physical education. The training duration across various Air Force schools is set at 5 years.
Naval Forces recruitment for officers mandates a Baccalaureate average of at least 12 in the same academic branches as those specified for the Land Forces. The training for Naval Forces officers spans a total of 5 years. This includes one year of basic training conducted in Tamenfoust, followed by three years of university-level training leading to a license in naval navigation sciences, communications, marine mechanics, marine conservation, or marine affairs management. The program concludes with one year of applied training.
For the Air Defense Forces, recruitment necessitates a Baccalaureate average of at least 12 in Experimental Sciences, Mathematics, and Technical Mathematics, particularly in Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, or Electrical Engineering. The training duration for a State Engineer in Air Defense has been reduced to 5 years, down from the previous 6-year period.
Non-Commissioned Officer and Enlisted Ranks
Recruitment for contract non-commissioned officers requires candidates to have completed the third year of secondary school, with priority given to those holding a Baccalaureate. The age eligibility for these contract non-commissioned officers ranges from 18 to 22 years old, calculated as of December 31, 2026. Individuals who possess a middle school certificate or have completed the first year of secondary school are eligible to enlist as corporals. For the rank of soldier, a minimum of first-year middle school education is required, with vocational training certificate holders receiving priority.
Contract non-commissioned officers joining the Land Forces will undergo one year of joint military training. Specialized training durations vary, with Special Forces and Armored Corps contract non-commissioned officers receiving two years of instruction. Reconnaissance Corps contract non-commissioned officers complete their training in one year.
The Air Force offers two specializations for its contract non-commissioned officers: 'Aviation Techniques' and 'Air Gunners'. Eligibility for Air Force contract non-commissioned officer recruitment extends to individuals who have completed the third year of secondary education in Experimental Sciences, Mathematics, Technical Mathematics, and Economics/Management. The training program for Air Force contract non-commissioned officers is structured to last two years.
Contract enlisted soldiers in the Naval Forces are required to complete six months of training. Similarly, contract enlisted soldiers, specifically corporals, within the Land Forces also undergo a six-month training period. This training culminates in the awarding of a professional military certificate, designated as grade 1.
Specialized Corps and Directorates
Land Forces officers undergo a five-year training program. This program includes one year of basic training at the Cherchell Academy, followed by three years of university training to earn a license, and concludes with one year of applied training. For certain Air Traffic Control and Radio Technician roles, the training duration has been reduced from five years to three years. All trainees within the Air Defense Forces are required to complete one year of joint basic training at the Military Academy of Cherchell.
Joining the Gendarmerie Nationale as an officer requires a Baccalaureate average of at least 12 in specific academic streams, including Literature and Philosophy, Foreign Languages, Experimental Sciences, Economics/Management, Mathematics, and Technical Mathematics. The training for Gendarmerie officers spans five years. This begins with one year at the Cherchell Military Academy, followed by three years of university training for a license in Law and Public Security at the Higher School of the Gendarmerie Nationale in Zeralda. The program concludes with one year of specialized training at the School of Judicial Police in Bir-El-Djir, located in Boumerdes province.
The Republican Guard has specific requirements for officer recruitment, mandating a Baccalaureate average of 12 in Experimental Sciences, Mathematics, and Technical Mathematics. Additionally, candidates must meet height requirements: a minimum of 1.78 meters for males and 1.65 meters for females. Officer training for the Republican Guard also lasts five years. For contract non-commissioned officers within the Republican Guard, the training duration is two years, while contract enlisted soldiers in the Republican Guard undergo six months of training.
Recruitment for the Signal and Command and Control Systems Directorate is open to Baccalaureate graduates who have achieved an average of 12 in Experimental Sciences, Mathematics, and Technical Mathematics, specifically within the Electrical Engineering specialization. Scores in core subjects are considered during the selection process for these roles. The training duration for positions within the Signal and Command and Control Systems Directorate is set at five years. Finally, the Central Directorate of Accreditation requires a Baccalaureate average of 12 in Experimental Sciences, Mathematics, and Economics/Management for recruitment.
Medical and Engineering Tracks
The training duration for the Central Directorate of Accreditation is five years, comprising one year at Cherchell, three years at the Higher School of Military Administration in Oran for a professional license in Management Sciences, and a final year specializing in military administration. Recruitment for the Central Directorate of Equipment is open to Baccalaureate holders who have achieved an average of 12 in Experimental Sciences, Mathematics, and Technical Mathematics. The training program for the Central Directorate of Equipment also spans five years, with one year of joint training, three years of university training for a professional license in Equipment Maintenance, and one year of specialization. Similar conditions apply to individuals seeking to join the Central Directorate of Fuel.
For medical fields, the training duration for General Medicine is eight years. Dentistry and Pharmacy programs both require seven years of training. Nurses undergo a four-year training period, while assistant nurses complete their training in three years.
Baccalaureate holders with an average of at least 12 in Literature and Philosophy, Foreign Languages, Mathematics, Technical Mathematics, Experimental Sciences, and Economics/Management are eligible for recruitment to the Directorate of Information and Communication. The training for this directorate is five years, including one year at Cherchell, three years of university training for a professional license in Communication Sciences, and one year of applied training.
Admission to the National Preparatory School is conducted via a competition open to both sexes. Candidates must possess a Baccalaureate with an average of at least 12 in Mathematics, Experimental Sciences, and Technical Mathematics, with scores in Math, Physics, and Chemistry considered during the selection process. The training program at the National Preparatory School lasts three years, consisting of one common year for all students, followed by two years of specialization in either Mathematics and IT or Science and Technology for engineering specializations.
