Defence Force, noun phrase

Forms:
Also with small initials.
Origin:
Shortened form of Union Defence Forces or (later) South African Defence Force.
The armed services, presently consisting of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Medical Service. Also attributive.
Note:
Formerly known as the Union Defence Forces (see U.D.F. noun1), the name was officially changed to South African Defence Force (see SADF) in 1957, and to South African National Defence Force (see SANDF) in 1994.
1914 Rand Daily Mail 19 Dec.Fourie said that he was sorry he had shot so many of the Defence Force at Nooitgedacht; he would prefer to have shot the S.A.P. or the S.A.M.R.
1936 H.F. Trew Botha Treks 54He and Maritz were the only two leaders who, being members of the Defence Force, came up for service when called on and then deserted in uniform to join in war against the Government.
1980 Rand Daily Mail 21 Nov. 3Another DF rifle kills a civilian...It was the second incident in the Western Transvaal this month in which a firearm belonging to the Defence Force was involved.
1984 Daily Dispatch 9 Oct. 1Defence Force troops were called in at the weekend to join police patrolling the townships after youths stoned a police vehicle.
1986 Rhodes University Diary (Grahamstown) 144Every year between three and four thousand South Africans refuse to enter the defence force.
1991 Race Rel. News (S.A.I.R.R.) Vol.53 No.1, 15Black township residents were reported to have cheered when defence force trucks carrying white troops moved into a Natal village near Pietermaritzburg.
The armed services, presently consisting of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Medical Service. Also attributive.
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