Welfare of the MNDF personnel has always been of paramount importance from the early days of the establishment of the security force and an established Medical Clinic came into existence in 1992. The trained men and women of Medic are round the clock at the medical assistance of the service men and women of MNDF. No matter on land or sea, they are where the troops are and provide timely service. Special medical provision is made to those patients with illnesses that cannot be cured or treated in the Maldives by sending them abroad for further treatment. Furthermore, opportunities for training in the medical fields are being afforded to competent applicants as and when possible. Area Commands Male' Area Northern Area Central Area Southern Area Non-Military Services Sifainge Cooperative (SIFCO) Sifainge Family Association (SIFAMA) Sifainge Welfare Company Maldives Military Veterans (MalVets) Dhivehi Sifainge Club (DSC) Maldives Military Vehicles Otokar Cobra BMP-2 Toyota Land Cruiser 2x HAL Dhruv 1x Dornier 228 1x MCGS Huravee Recruitment The number of recruits for each year is predetermined by the President's Office and the Ministry of Defence with the assistance of the MNDF HQ. When the advertisements seeking for potential recruits appears in the media, interested candidates can submit their “expression of interest” to the Ministry of Defence. The Ministry of Defence shall notify the time and place of interview for those who had expressed their interest. Those who do not qualify the current basic entry criteria, however, shall not be called for an interview. Basic Entry Criteria for Maldives National Defence Force: Candidate must have completed GCE Ordinary Level or Grade 10 ( or an equivalent vocational training ) Candidate must have a minimum height of 5’ 5"/165.10 centimetres (males) or 5’ 3"/160.02 centimetres (females) Candidate must be between 18 and 25 years of age Candidate should not have any police records for past five years Candidate must not be registered in a Political Party Rank structure The ranking system of the MNDF is based on the traditional British military system and U.S. military system. The highest flag rank ever awarded was that of lieutenant general, in a non-military capacity to the previous Defence Minister Abdul Sattar, although the president being the commander in chief also holds the rank of general in a non-military capacity. Officer corps Warrant officer corps Enlisted corps Medals and ribbons Medals Medal of Honor Presidential Medal MNDF Medal Distinguished