Within the framework of the Armed Forces’ modernization, the Ministry of National Defence implements a complete program of actions, which aims at improving the living standards of the soldiers, as well as the financial and social development of the future active citizens.

The MOD implements a range of programs, which aim at obtaining the  abilities and knowledge that will help the soldiers to join the productive manpower of the country, to familiarize with the new technologies, to be educated and entertained after the fulfillment of their military duties so that the time of their military service can be productive.

The activities that are included in this program provide for:

• Monthly Financial Support
• Psychological Support through a 24-hour Telephone Line
• Prevention of drugs use.
• Occupational Guidance to the soldiers.
• Creation of Internet Centers in Units and outposts.

Monthly Financial Support

With determination and sensitivity, the Ministry of National Defence is taking measures for the improvement of the living standards of those soldiers who aren’t able to cover their basic needs and expenses.

More specifically:

With regard to single (unmarried) draftees who are orphans (having lost both their parents) a 100-euro allowance is being offered

With regard to married parents or single having children legally recognized, the following benefits are being offered:

- Parent of one child, 88,4-euro allowance

- Parent of two children, 140,87-euro allowance

- For parents of three children, a 234,78-euro allowance is being given and an increment of 14,67-euro as well, for       each child older than three years old. 

• Servicemen, who belong to the category of singles, are entitled to the following monthly benefits if their annual family income doesn’t overstep the amount of 3000-euro.
• Children of parents who are unemployed for many years as they are defined by clause Number 13 paragraph 1, chapter B of Law 2434/96:100-euro benefit.
• Children of parents who live in degrading regions as they are defined by instruction 93/66 of E.O.K: 100-euro benefit.

Additionally, the implementation of a benefits’ increase regarding servicemen who belong to other categories, is currently in progress.

Psychological Support through a 24-hour Telephone Line

This line is in operation since February 2003, under the supervision of the National Defence Minister’s Staff, on a 24-hour basis, seven days per week, at the 414 Military Hospital of Special Maladies in Penteli (for the Army and Air Force) and at the Precautionary Mental Health Office in Scaramanga (for the Navy).

The line is open to the whole personnel of the Armed Forces, namely the draftees and their families, as well as to all Military and Civil Personnel of the Armed Forces in total.

This service is staffed by professional psychologists, under the supervision of a psychiatrist and has a supportive and consultative character. More specifically, it offers support and advises on issues concerning the adaptation of a person to military life, mental health (for example stress, depression and problems of addiction), behavioral problems (such as aggressiveness, indiscipline, incoherence), interpersonal relations, as well as situations of crises (such as self destructive or generally threatening tendencies). Depending on each case’s characteristics and needs, it may be reported to the doctor of the unit, the group of psychological support at 414 Military Hospital of Special Maladies or to another agency.

The operation of this line through the support and consultation that offers to the soldiers and the regular personnel of the Armed Forces as well, it contributes to a better and smoother adaptation to the military environment, the protection of their mental health, as well as to the prevention and avoidance of extreme behaviors like suicide and violent actions.

Each telephone conversation of this line is absolutely confidential and secret, so that the personal data of each case remains protected and secure.

You can call without charge at the following telephone numbers:

The MOD implements a range of programs, which aim at obtaining the abilities and knowledge that will help the soldiers to join the productive manpower of the country, to familiarize with the new technologies, to be educated and entertained after the fulfillment of their military duties so that the time of their military service can be productive.

The activities that are included in this program provide for:

Monthly Financial Support

Psychological Support through a 24-hour Telephone Line

Prevention of drugs use.

Occupational Guidance to the soldiers.

Creation of Internet Centers in Units and outposts.

Monthly Financial Support

With determination and sensitivity, the Ministry of National Defence is taking measures for the improvement of the living standards of those soldiers who aren't able to cover their basic needs and expenses.

More specifically:

With regard to single (unmarried) draftees who are orphans (having lost both their parents) a 100-euro allowance is being offered

With regard to married parents or single having children legally recognized, the following benefits are being offered:

- Parent of one child, 88,4-euro allowance

- Parent of two children, 140,87-euro allowance

- For parents of three children, a 234,78-euro allowance is being given and an increment of 14,67-euro as well, for each child older than three years old.

Servicemen, who belong to the category of singles, are entitled to the following monthly benefits if their annual family income doesn't overstep the amount of 3000-euro.

Children of parents who are unemployed for many years as they are defined by clause Number 13 paragraph 1, chapter B of Law 2434/96:100-euro benefit.

Children of parents who live in degrading regions as they are defined by instruction 93/66 of E.O.K: 100-euro benefit.

Additionally, the implementation of a benefits' increase regarding servicemen who belong to other categories, is currently in progress.

Psychological Support through a 24-hour Telephone Line

This line is in operation since February 2003, under the supervision of the National Defence Minister's Staff, on a 24-hour basis, seven days per week, at the 414 Military Hospital of Special Maladies in Penteli (for the Army and Air Force) and at the Precautionary Mental Health Office in Scaramanga (for the Navy).

The line is open to the whole personnel of the Armed Forces, namely the draftees and their families, as well as to all Military and Civil Personnel of the Armed Forces in total.

This service is staffed by professional psychologists, under the supervision of a psychiatrist and has a supportive and consultative character. More specifically, it offers support and advises on issues concerning the adaptation of a person to military life, mental health (for example stress, depression and problems of addiction), behavioral problems (such as aggressiveness, indiscipline, incoherence), interpersonal relations, as well as situations of crises (such as self destructive or generally threatening tendencies). Depending on each case's characteristics and needs, it may be reported to the doctor of the unit, the group of psychological support at 414 Military Hospital of Special Maladies or to another agency.

The operation of this line through the support and consultation that offers to the soldiers and the regular personnel of the Armed Forces as well, it contributes to a better and smoother adaptation to the military environment, the protection of their mental health, as well as to the prevention and avoidance of extreme behaviors like suicide and violent actions.

Each telephone conversation of this line is absolutely confidential and secret, so that the personal data of each case remains protected and secure.

You can call without charge at the following telephone numbers:

800-114-555-1 800-114-555-1 : Army

800-114-555-2 800-114-555-2 : Air Force

800-114-555-3 800-114-555-3 : Navy*

*Especially for the Navy, there are more lines in operation: 210-5574121 210-5574121 , 210-5531377 210-5531377 (urban charge)

Prevention of drugs use

Beyond the actions that the General Staffs undertake, the Ministry of National Defence has signed a cooperation memorandum with OKANA, in order to improve and modernize the methods of encountering the major problem of drugs.

The geographic correspondence of the military units with the prevention centers of OKANA has already been implemented and the printed material that will be distributed to the recruiting offices for the updating of young people and their parents has already been chosen. The implementation of the “aimed actions” and of several other programs for each military unit has already begun.

Program of occupational guidance of the servicemen

It is a modern scientific method that offers consultative support. This support, aims at the systematic informing and guidance of the interested person in order for him to take the best possible decision about his occupational direction, after taking under consideration the characteristics of his personality, his occupational interests and his abilities as well.

This program is optional and it is being materialized at the Armed Forces’ Centers of Conscripts Training at the first days of their induction. Conscripts, according to their educational level (graduates of High School, Senior High School, University and Technical University) must fill in special electronic data processing forms, which are processed by the Human Resources Directorate of the National Defence Minister’s Staff, using a special software program. The whole procedure is fully automatic and the outcome is a combinational reference of 35 pages, which is being delivered to the draftees at their first Unit, for their personal use.

Creation of Internet Centers in Units and outposts

62 Internet Centers have been created and operate, in equal in number camps in all over the country. In this way, draftees have the opportunity to exploit better their free time. 48 of them function at units of border areas, from Evros to Aegean islands, which cover the 35% of the total number of the draftees.

The observation of this program has proved that the use of Internet in camps is desirable/acceptable from the draftees. By having access to the Internet, servicemen can use a “portal” that has been created especially for their needs, as well as the Internet in general as a means for information, communication and entertainment, using their free time in a creative way.

It should be noted that the Internet Centers, enhance the abovementioned efforts for the preparation and connection with the labour market, since draftees have access to useful information on education, vocational rehabilitation and occupation.