The Deputy Minister of National Defence Mr. Ioannis Kefalogiannis visited the headquarters of the Nursing Officers School, in Vyronas, Attiki. He was greeted by the B Branch Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff, Rear Admiral Ioannis Pattas HN and the School Commander, Colonel (Medical Corps) Kyriaki Peleki.

Mr. Kefalogiannis was briefed on the organization, mission, academic curriculum and current activities of the School. He was subsequently guided through the premises, where he met with officers and cadets. He congratulated the administration and personnel on their outstanding work, while the possibilities of further qualitative enhancement of the curriculum were discussed.

In his brief address, the Deputy Minister of National Defence underlined that the time is ripe for the establishment of a Joint Combat Wound Training Centre, in order that the medical staff of the Armed Forces, and not only, is trained in the Tactical Combat Casualty Care, but also in order to provide instructors in the said field. He also emphasized that the Political Leadership of the Ministry of National Defence supports actions, which enhance knowledge, as well as joint training with allied countries through partnerships with academic institutions both in Greece and abroad.

In his address the Deputy Minister said:

“It is a great joy and honour to be here in one of the historical Military Academies of our country, the pillar of the medical corps, the Nursing Officers School whereby all three Branches of the Armed Forces are staffed by Nursing Officers, who have historically provided effective service, wherever and whenever needed. The founding stone of the Nursing Officers School was laid in the aftermath of World War II, when one of the leading conclusions reached at was the need for military nursing personnel. Thus, on November 1946, history was written, as much for the Nursing Officers, with the admission of the first female cadets to the “Military Academy of Nurses Training” as for women in the Hellenic Army, against the prejudices of the time. The justification of the creation of such an innovative academy was not late in the coming, when during the years 1950-55, the first female officers successfully administered their services on the Korean Front for which they were honoured with the medal of the Bronze Star. During the nearly 80 years since its establishment, the School has evolved due to the professionalism and dynamism of its Officers. It was included in the Panhellenic Exams application sheet and men were given the opportunity of admission to the School, claiming a place in its history. Also, the injustice, depriving you of the officers’ sword has been rectified, and the dream of studying at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, at the Faculty of Nursing, has been fulfilled. Now, you as graduates of the Nursing Officers School have assumed a double role, that of an Officer and a Nurse, which you are called upon to play, in a complex, unstable, and continually evolving field of international security. For this reason, the School ought to create capable leaders, operationally and academically equipped, and simultaneously, to harmonise itself with the Country’s needs, the global developments, and the current needs. The participation of the medical corps is considered evident in every kind of military action, as for example in the mission to Afghanistan, since medical support is a force multiplier in operations end exercises of the Armed Forces, through preventative action, as well as medical care, when needed. Furthermore, recent events, such as the Covid-19 pandemic, the wildfires in Evros and the floods in the region of Thessaly, have put your work to the forefront once again, as one of great importance to Greek citizens. Your social face, your selfless contribution to fellow man, under harsh conditions, your professionalism, your excellent knowledge and reflexes, show that your training, your principles and the School traditions are firmly rooted within you, and that you keep true to the vow you took as Officers and the one you took as Nurses.

Commander,

As Deputy Minister of National Defence, I would like to stress the importance the political leadership of the Ministry places on the training of the Armed Forces personnel, through the work of the Military Academies. In this framework, the Ministry on National Defence is processing a bundle of measures, geared towards the upgrade of the training policy of the Armed Forces. Therefore, it is essential to upgrade the Academy’s role in the Army, rendering it a point of reference for the medical corps, within the country and abroad, as much between soldiers as civilians. The Youth & Lifelong Learning Centres give us the opportunity to become part of the Academy’s history. The time is ripe and the Nurses Officers School has the opportunity to convey its knowledge and experience concerning First Aid care, and, why not take the next step, which is to establish the Joint Combat Wound Training Centre to train the Armed Forces medical personnel and not only in Tactical Combat Casualty Care, but also to provide instructors in the said field. We support actions, which enhance technical knowledge, joint trainings with allied countries, through partnerships with institutions of higher learning in Greece and abroad, such as for example the actions of EMILYO (European Initiative for the Exchange of Military Young Officers), which aims at fulfilling the common European vision. We are looking forward to an impeccable cooperation, and look for pioneering and innovative ideas for the further improvement and evolution of the Nursing Officers School and the Medical Corps of the Army.

Dear Cadets,

Being members of an exemplary Academy throughout Europe, you are called upon to fulfill the demanding mission of Military Nurse, and maintain the School’s traditions. The Officers of the Nursing School can be distinguished by their achievements on staff structures, missions and emergencies abroad and represent the Armed Forces in Greece and abroad. For this reason, I encourage you to widen your horizons, to pursue your lifelong learning, and gain Postgraduate and Doctoral Degrees in acclaimed faculties both inside and outside Greece. In this effort, we will be your helpers and fellow travelers, since our goal is to continually update and improve the already existing possibilities of your education, and to create new opportunities, such as the reevaluation and addition of new, modern training programs. Study foreign languages and familiarize yourselves with technology, take advantage of the possibilities of further learning provided by all three Branches, irrespective of where you belong. Gain recognition as officers, professionals, and as humans, become outgoing leaders and contribute to the upgrading of the country’s combat capabilities. Pursue evolution, work and lay claim to the future while maintaining the respect and high regard that the Nurses Corps enjoys. Cultivate the team spirit, cooperation and agility, since modern realities demand interactions between soldiers and civilians, Greeks and foreigners. You should also cultivate friendly relationships with your foreign classmates.

Dear Students from Albania,

On your chest, you wear the emblem of the Nurses Officers School, which portrays goddess Athena: the goddess of wisdom and knowledge, in thought. You should consider the symbolism and grasp the opportunity, which is offered to you, collect knowledge, come into contact with Greece, her culture and people, and together with your Greek classmates lay bridges of friendship, and become the best ambassadors of both countries. In closing, I wish all of you success in your future endeavours as well as many distinctions in your life. May 2024 be a landmark year for the Nurse Officers School.

Thank you.”