PNGDF DIRECTORATE OF RECRUITING DISBANDED; RECRUITMENT CANCELLED

CAPTION: Papua New Guinea Chief of Defence Force, Rear Admiral Philip Polewara

THE PNG Defence Force Directorate of Recruiting at Murray Barracks has been disbanded and the first recruitment training for 2026 is cancelled.

This is according to the Chief of Defence Force, Rear Admiral Philip Polewara in a recent statement.

This decision came about following a review of the PNGDF’s recruitment system which commenced yesterday and is led by the Deputy Chief of Defence Force Brigadier General Opa Lari Opa.

CDF Polewara says these actions are necessary to ensure PNGDF effectively review the recruitment process.

He further said, PNGDF has been running on systems that are over 50 years old as is evident those systems have outlived their time.

With the recruitment review, the Chief of Defence says, General Opa will oversee the development and the operationalisation of a fit for purpose system.

He also said, the Defence force is looking at options to integrate its systems with that of the Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology to directly recruit from secondary schools.

Meantime, investigation into the PNGDF recruitment process is till ongoing.