The Minister of National Defence Panos Kammenos, accompanied by the Chief of HAFGS Lieutenant General Christos Vaitsis, attended the oath-taking ceremony of newly recruited soldiers of 2015 E Enlistment Series which was held at the 124th Basic Training Wing, in Tripoli Air Base, Greece.
The Minister of National Defence addressed the following statement:
“Your Eminence,
Mr. Regional Governor,
Mr. Mayor,
Dear Representatives of other authorities,
Chief of the Hellenic Air Force,
Commander,
Deputy Commanders,
It is a special honour for me to be here with you today, in the city of Tripoli, for the oath-taking of newly recruited airmen and privates, by which they officially join the big military family of our country’s Armed Forces.
Airmen and Privates,
Today it is a special day for you and your families. By the oath you took shortly before, an important period of your lives begins officially, a period of contribution to our country’s National Defence.
Joining the Armed Forces is a constitutional order and a permanent social duty. Serving the country, however, is, in parallel, an honour, especially over a period of complex financial and geopolitical challenges for our country.
By taking an oath to the Ideals of our ancestors, of all those who sacrificed themselves for their homeland and their faith, you take the supreme promise to your homeland. You are called to serve the supreme mission of the branch in which you belong, and to stand up to Greek people’s expectations and confidence.
From today on, together with the permanent personnel of the Armed Forces, you will be guarding the modern Thermopylae, standing as watchful guards all over the Greek territory; on our islands, on our islets, on the borders, in the airports. It is a very demanding duty and I ask you to demonstrate interest, responsibility and active participation in your training during your service.
Take advantage of everything you are offered, obtain skills which may help you later in your civilian life. Your service should not cause fear by any means. It should be seen as a supreme obligation. Feel proud of it as long as it lasts.
All of us, the political and military leadership we are fully aware of the current situation, of difficulties and problems you may be facing and for this reason we pay great attention to the human factor which is determinant for the preservation of the battle worthiness and morale. This, however, cannot be an excuse for relaxing the discipline, a military virtue, which should not be mistaken for a deprivation of freedom. On the contrary, it is a necessary condition for the combat force of the Armed Forces and for their deterrence capability.
Dear parents and relatives,
Be proud of your children who will dedicate a significant part of their lives to the service of our country and try to support them, together with us, during their service. Nowadays, the Armed Forces, as part of the Greek society, participate actively in the efforts for our land’s reconstruction. Despite the significant budget cuts, the morale of Armed Forces’ personnel has not weakened; nor has the combat force of our national defence system been reduced.
Furthermore, Greece, even nowadays, in an environment of instability, remains a pillar of stability and security in the wider region; a country that works regularly to establish an environment of confidence, mutual understanding and cooperation in the wider region of South-Eastern Mediterranean.
Focusing on ensuring our national defence and security, the Political and Military Leadership is promoting significant changes in the Ministry of National Defence to achieve a more rational financial management, an optimal utilization of the personnel and assets and solutions to long lasting problems.
Overcoming the current situational difficulties requires everybody’s contribution, as it has happened in difficult times for our country in the past and led to victorious results. The same will happen now too, despite the difficulties. We will win. Be sure that Greek people’s efforts and sacrifices will be successful.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Airmen and Privates,
I would like to wish you and your families health, progress, smooth adaptation and success to your military service. We will do anything to keep you safe and help you have an unforgettable service. I wish you have the protection of Virgin Mary and our Patron Saints, the Archangels who protect our Air Force and Saint George who protects the Army. Be sure that we, your Commanders, your trainers, as well as the Political and Military Leadership, we will stand by you at every second of your service, with the blessings of the Church.
Have a good service and good luck”.
