05/02/2026
Defense Ministry Sets Stage for 2026 AFL Recruitment; Awaits Resource Release.
The Armed Forces of Liberia is officially setting the stage for its 2026 recruitment cycle, signaling a new opportunity for young patriots to serve the state.
Military leadership has confirmed that while the intent is to initiate the process during the month of February, the official launch remains contingent on the release of necessary funding from the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning.
Speaking during a Ministry of Information press conference, Honorable Spencer Leeco stated that as soon as the resources are secured, the AFL is prepared to immediately kick off the enlistment process across the country.
Honorable Leeco disclosed that the recruitment drive is specifically focusing on energetic and disciplined Liberian men and women between the ages of 18 and 35 who demonstrate both the physical and mental fitness required to endure the challenges of military training.
To be eligible, applicants must hold a valid WAEC certificate or provide proof of current college enrollment. Additionally, they must present a fresh police clearance and a health certificate, both of which must have been issued within the last three months.
To prove citizenship, applicants are expected to present a National ID card, a voter registration card, a birth certificate, or a Liberian passport, while naturalized citizens must provide a certificate of naturalization etc.
To ensure that the recruitment drive is accessible to all corners of the nation, the AFL has decentralized its testing centers into four main regions. In the Central Region, which covers Montserrado, Grand Bassa, and Margibi, the testing hub will be located in Monrovia. Residents of the Western Region, including Grand Cape Mount, Bomi, and Gbarpolu, will report to the testing center in Tubmanburg, while those in the Northern Region, encompassing Lofa, B**g, and Nimba, will use the center established in Gbarnga.
The military has also designated two separate centers for the southeastern counties of Grand Gedeh, River Gee, Maryland, Grand Kru, and Sinoe, with testing taking place in both Zwedru and Harper.
Amidst these preparations, the AFL leadership is issuing a stern warning to the public regarding the influence of third parties. Honorable Leeco emphasized that there is no requirement for a letter of recommendation to join the military, and any claims to the contrary are false.
He further clarified that the recruitment process is entirely free of charge, and officials stressed that no one should pay for a spot in the ranks.
Parallel to the recruitment efforts, the Ministry of National Defense is moving forward with the reclamation of Camp Ramrod Military Barracks. On January 19, 2026, the AFL issued a 14-day ultimatum to illegal inhabitants to clear demarcations for the land, citing the severe overcrowding of existing military facilities as the primary driver for the move.
Honorable Leeco asserted that the military is currently focusing on reclaiming 14 acres of the total 37-acre property. He described the reclamation as peaceful and conducted with strict adherence to the rule of law and human dignity, despite calls from some citizens for an extension to the eviction deadline.
This effort to recover the 72nd Barracks is the culmination of a decade-long struggle across three administrations. The process was initially halted during the administration of former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf following appeals from representatives, and similar attempts during the administration of George Weah failed to materialize.
Current military leadership re-engaged the community in June 2024, at which time inhabitants requested to remain until the end of the school year. The 72nd Barracks is just one of several sites being reclaimed to ensure soldiers have adequate housing, following successful relocation efforts at Camp Jackson in Sandbeach, Camp Wisner in Zwedru, and Camp Jones in Kakata.
