Members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) delivered a stellar performance at the 2025 CISOR Military Skills Competition (MILCOMP), held at the Pori Brigade in Säkylä, Finland, from 23 to 29 June. The annual competition, organised by the Inter-allied Confederation of Reserve Non-commissioned Officers—known in French as the Confédération Interalliée des Sous-Officiers de Réserve (CISOR)—brings together elite reserve forces from across Europe and partner nations to test their operational readiness, physical endurance, and tactical skills.
This year’s event attracted more than 300 competitors from over a dozen countries, making it one of the most competitive editions in recent years. The MILCOMP consists of a series of demanding disciplines, including marksmanship, obstacle courses, orienteering, swimming, and grenade throwing—each designed to simulate challenges faced in real-world military operations.
The SANDF men’s contingent impressed by securing 3rd place in the Men’s Team 1 category, finishing ahead of 33 other international teams in a field of 36. Equally noteworthy was the South African women’s team, which also clinched 3rd place in the Women’s Class, outperforming nine other national teams in a field of 12.
These results mark a significant achievement for the SANDF, underlining not only the technical and physical capabilities of South Africa’s reserve soldiers but also the growing role of African nations in international military competitions traditionally dominated by European forces.
The competition served as a unique opportunity for SANDF members to test their skills against some of the world’s best-trained reserve soldiers, foster international military cooperation, and exchange best practices with counterparts from NATO and other partner countries.
The CISOR Military Skills Competition continues to be a key event for reserve forces worldwide, strengthening interoperability, camaraderie, and the spirit of military excellence. South Africa’s strong performance this year highlights the country’s commitment to maintaining a highly skilled and prepared reserve force capable of meeting modern operational challenges.
As international tensions and security demands evolve, competitions like MILCOMP provide invaluable training opportunities, ensuring participating nations’ armed forces remain ready to deploy with competence and confidence.
