1980-1988: The Armed Forces were divided into two separate units known as the Armed Forces of Malta and the Task Force, each commanded by a Colonel (The Dejma labour corps replaces the MPC/ DiM from 1981 to 1989)
What had hitherto been 1st Regiment AFM was on April 1st, 1980 placed under a separate command. It included an infantry company, the Maritime Squadron, and the Helicopter Flight, totalling to some 500 men. A number of Police personnel were also transferred to augment this strength, and help fulfill the role for which it was set up. Later, other military sections were absorbed into the new command: the Ammunition Depot, the Explosives Ordinance Disposal and the Airport Company.
On September 3rd, 1982 the first ever 70 female soldier were on parade after their basic military training course. In all, 300 young women were recruited into the Dejma Corps.
Between 1970 and 1986, no officer-cadet intakes were made. Prior to 1970, officer-cadets completed their training in the United Kingdom at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, Camberley in Surrey. In April 1987, ten officer-cadets held their pass-out parade at AFM HQ in Luqa Barracks. Their locally organized training included five-months at the Italian Army's Infantry and Cavalry in Cesano, Rome.