How to Join the Armed Forces of Pakistan

How to Join the Armed Forces of Pakistan

• If you are interested in joining the armed forces then you need to apply in the induction courses of Army, Air force or Navy. 
• Go to their official websites and complete the online registration process.
• After that, you will be called for a initial and medical test.
• The candidates who passed the initials will be called for ISSB.
• In order to join any military force, you have to clear the ISSB. Otherwise, you won’t be able to join any military force.

Pakistan Armed Forces are a coveted professional pursuit amongst people because of the blood and sweat they offer to uphold the flag of the country. Not only do they protect the borders, but also offer their services during all kinds of emergencies such as earthquakes, floods or any other natural disasters. They are known for the dedication and commitment to defend the country from internal and external enemies. Read the below article and learn how to Join the Armed Forces of Pakistan.

Pakistan Armed Forces

According to a report by Business Insider, Pakistan has the 13^th largest military force in the world. There are four main service branches that include Army, Navy, Air Force and paramilitary forces. The Chain of command of the military is organised by the Chairman of Joint Chief of Staff Committee (JCSC) along with chiefs of staff for the army, navy, and air force.

Ever since the independence, the Pakistan armed forces have played a significant role in the defence of the country. They are always on the forefront to defend the honor of the country. According to an estimate, there are approximately 654,000 active personnel in the armed forces excluding those in the Strategic Plans Division Forces and paramilitary forces. That makes it the 6^th largest armed force in the world and 1^st in the Muslim world.

There is no doubt that armed forces of Pakistan are one of the best in the world and they have sacrificed a lot to protect their motherland. To join the armed forces is a dream of every youngster in the country and if you are among those who wish to join it, then you come to the right place. Here we will tell you about different induction courses in army, air force and navy. After that, some tips for passing the initial, medical and the ISSB test.

How to Apply in Armed Forces

Let us assume that you’ve seen the latest ad for induction in the armed force. Afterwards, you go to Pak Army, Air force or Navy website and complete the online registration process. Check the eligibility criteria first and then apply for the course you are interested in. Provide all your educational and personal details in the form. After submission of your online application, you will receive an email informing you of the initial and medical tests along with the details such as Roll Number, Test date and Centre.

Initial Test

In the initial test, the aptitude of the candidate regarding subjects like Maths, English, Pakistan Studies and General Knowledge is assessed. If you are able to pass the test, you will then appear in the medical examination.

Initial Medical

In the initial medical, the candidate’s vital medical information is collected to ensure that they meet the minimum requirements of ISSB.

The candidates who passed the initial test and medical will be called in for ISSB.

What is ISSB?

The Inter Services Selection Board (ISSB) is a committee that selects commissioned officers in the Army, Navy and Air Force. It is a four day selection test where candidate’s ability, aptitude and personality is tested. There are four ISSB centres in the country, namely, Kohat, Gujranwala, Quetta and Malir. After passing the ISSB, the candidates have to undergo officer training at military academies. The Pakistan Military Academy is located in Kakul, the Pakistan Air Force Academy in Risalpur and the Pakistan Naval Academy in Manora.

The ISSB test consists of three major parts:

1. Psychological Test
2. Outdoor Activities
3. Interviews

Psychological Test

There are three parts of psychological test

• Intelligence Test (Both Verbal and Non-Verbal)
• Personality Test (Written Analytical and Projective Test)
• Mechanical Aptitude Test

Outdoor Activities

The outdoor activities are as follows:

• Group Test
• Individual Obstacles (assessment of candidate ability to overcome the individual obstacles)

In the group test, the candidates are divided into several groups and are engaged in various activities to assess different qualities such as personality traits, team work, leadership and intelligence. The group test consist of following activities:

1. Group Discussion (Discussion on a given topic or subject)
2. Planning (Group has to plan a solution of a problem)
3. Tasks (There are different activities in it such lifting weights, tackling an issue etc.)
4. Command Tasks (One candidate is appointed as a commander to assess the leadership qualities of the individual)

Interviews

The interview is the last step in the ISSB. In this step, the candidates are asked about the personal life, academic career, life goals and their opinions regarding different aspects.

The candidates who are able to pass the ISSB test, are called in for a final medical examination. Afterwards, the qualified candidates are sent to the respective military academies to undergo formal training.

Different Induction Courses of Armed forces

The candidates who wish to join the armed forces can apply in the induction courses. These induction courses are advertised in the newspapers at different times of the year. So, if you are willing to apply for these courses, then you need to regularly follow the newspapers or you can look at the armed forces websites.

How to Join the Armed Forces of Pakistan | Army Induction Courses

There are three ways to join Pakistan Army which are as follows

1. Regular Commissioned Officer
2. Short Service Commission
3. Joining Pak Army as a Soldier

There are different categories in these induction courses that are as follows:

Regular Commissioned Officer

1. PMA Long Course
2. Technical Cadet Course
3. Army Medical Cadet Course
4. Armed Forces Nursing Services

Regular Short Service Commission

1. General Duty Medical Officer (GDMOs)
2. Classified Specialists

Direct Short Service Commission

1. Army Education Corps
2. Lady Cadet Course
3. Psychologist
4. Signals – ICTOS

How to Join the Armed Forces of Pakistan | Air Force Induction Courses

There are different induction courses which are as follows

1. General Deputy Pilot (GDP)
2. Air Defense
3. Aeronautical Engineering
4. Admin and Special Duties
5. Logistics
6. Accounts
7. Legal
8. Information Technology
9. Engineering

How to Join the Armed Forces of Pakistan | Navy Induction Courses

1. PN Cadet
2. Education Branch
3. Special Branch – Imagery
4. Special Branch – IT
5. Operations
6. Weapon Engineering

All of the above-mentioned induction courses have different educational criteria, age criteria and physical criteria. You can check the eligibility criteria for these courses on following websites.

• joinpakarmy.gov.pk
• joinpaknavy.gov.pk
• joinpaf.gov.pk

Tips for Passing ISSB

1. The psychologist in ISSB can judge your personality in few minutes so give them honest and straightforward answers.
2. Be confident.
3. Try to keep yourself super fit in order to pass ISSB.
4. Before the ISSB, you should focus on improving your English.
5. All elements such as appearance, leadership ability, fitness level, and self-confidence are assessed in the ISSB, so you should prepare yourself whilst keeping these elements in mind.
6. Try to remain polite, respectful, honest and responsive in ISSB.
7. During the ISSB interview, maintain eye contact with interviewer and sit straight.
8. The knowledge about military affairs, current affairs and Pakistan are critically important in ISSB. You must prepare yourself accordingly.
9. Try to remain mature, composed and decent.
10. Don’t be over smart in the test.
11. Before ISSB, you should be aware of the test pattern and format to avoid any confusion during the test.
12. Show your commitment and desire in group tasks of ISSB.
13. Read newspapers, military and general knowledge books daily. It will keep you prepared for the test.
14. Do not bother about the result and try to do what you are asked to do with full devotion.

Before applying in any course, you need to decide which armed force you want to join. Sometimes people have a friend or a relative serving in a particular branch of the military, which often plays a factor in their decision. You should be aware of the fact that each military service is different. Some people are more suited for army while others are best suited for Air force or Navy. You should make a decision according to your aptitude, qualifications, temperament, and interest. Don’t join a military service because someone else wants you join it. Follow your heart and make a decision about your life, because it is a common belief in the military that, “Army is a passion. Not a profession.”