Many people who want to join the Nigerian Army as a graduate may get confused during the time of registration because of the types of commission in the Nigerian Army. Those that are joining the Nigerian Army as a graduate will have to choose either DSSC or SSC. But the problem now is that many people don’t know the difference between DSSC and SSC in the Nigerian Army. In this post, we will be giving you the detailed difference between this two commission.
The Nigerian Army offers two major types of commission for graduates who wish to join the Nigerian Army., the DSSC Direct Short Service Commission (DSSC) and the Short Service Combatant Commission (SSC). The two commission may look similar but they are not the same. In this post, we will be giving you the difference between them.
Difference Between DSSC and SSC in the Nigerian Army
1. Nature of Commission
The DSSC is a short-term commission which is meant for professionals like doctors, engineers, lawyers, and other specialists. The SSC, on the other hand, is mainly for those who want to become combatant officers
2. Training Duration
Both DSSC and SSC candidates undergo training at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) in Kaduna, but for different durations. DSSC officers train for about 6 to 9 months, while SSC officers train for 9 to 12 months.
3. Career Progression
- DSSC Officers: Their commission is limited, meaning they are not expected to serve until retirement. However, they can apply for conversion to a regular commission, which allows them to serve until retirement.
- SSC Officers: The SSC is also a short-term commission, usually lasting 10 to 15 years. SSC officers who prove their their selves to be capable may be granted a permanent commission in the Nigerian Army.
4. Rank on Commissioning
On completion of training,
- DSSC Officers are commissioned as Lieutenants (for most professions) or Captains (for medical professionals).
- SSC Officers are commissioned as Second Lieutenants, the lowest officer rank in the Nigerian Army.
5. Role and Deployment
- DSSC Officers focus on technical and administrative duties. Their primary responsibility is to provide professional expertise in their respective fields.
- SSC Officers are fully involved in combat and tactical military operations. They are trained to lead troops on the battlefield.
6. Requirements
- DSSC: Requires candidates to possess a degree in relevant fields like medicine, law, engineering, or finance.
- SSC: Open to candidates with any university degree or HND, with a focus on military service rather than a specific professional skill.
The differences dropped above is the major difference between the two commission. For those who have been admiring to join the Nigerian Army as a graduate, you need to take a look at the two commission available for the officers and choose the one that is well fit for you. You can read our previous posts on how to join the Nigerian Army as a graduate.
