By: Emmanuel Tobotinho Quiah
MARYLAND–The Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) has successfully completed a two-day recruitment vetting exercise in Maryland County as part of an ongoing nationwide campaign aimed at increasing the strength and operational capacity of the Liberian military.
The exercise, held Friday and Saturday at the Martha Tubman Memorial Sports Stadium in Harper, attracted scores of young Liberians eager to join the country’s armed forces and contribute to national security.
Speaking to journalists at the conclusion of the exercise, AFL Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations, Lt. Col. Nyankun E. Williams, said the recruitment initiative is a strategic effort to address a decline in military personnel resulting from retirements, resignations, and other forms of attrition.
According to Lt. Col. Williams, the reduction in troop numbers has affected certain operational functions of the military, making it necessary to recruit and train a new generation of soldiers capable of supporting the AFL’s mission and maintaining national defense readiness.
”The Armed Forces of Liberia is undertaking this recruitment process to ensure that we maintain an effective and capable force. As personnel leave the service through retirement and other means, it becomes important to replenish our ranks with qualified and committed young Liberians,” he explained.
The Maryland County screening exercise forms part of a broader nationwide recruitment campaign launched by the Ministry of National Defense, which seeks to increase the AFL’s manpower and strengthen its ability to respond to emerging security challenges across the country.
Officials overseeing the process disclosed that applicants underwent document verification and preliminary screening to determine their eligibility for subsequent stages of the recruitment process.
Candidates who successfully pass the initial vetting will proceed to additional assessments before final selection.
The recruitment drive has generated significant interest among young people in Maryland County, many of whom view military service as an opportunity to contribute to national development, gain professional training, and build meaningful careers in public service.
AFL authorities reiterated that the enlistment process is free, transparent, and strictly merit-based, urging applicants to avoid individuals claiming to offer recruitment assistance in exchange for money or favors.
The latest recruitment effort underscores the Armed Forces of Liberia’s commitment to building a professional, disciplined, and capable military force equipped to safeguard the nation’s sovereignty and respond effectively to Liberia’s evolving security needs.
As the nationwide campaign continues, military officials remain optimistic that qualified young Liberians from across the country will seize the opportunity to serve and strengthen the country’s defense sector.
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