On Friday 2 April 2021, the Deputy Minister of National Defence Alkiviadis Stefanis visited Grevena and attended the recruits’ oath taking ceremony of the 586 Motorized Infantry Battalion.

The ceremony was also attended by the Metropolitan of Grevena, David, and the C Army Corps/NRDC-GR Commander, Lieutenant General Anastasios Spanos.

In his address, the Deputy Minister of National Defence stated the following:

“Today is a special day for all of you. A while ago you took the prestigious oath of the Greek soldier, the ultimate promise to the Country, regarding abiding to the Laws and defending the most important value of human existence, that of freedom, to the last drop of blood, committing fully to the national obligation of living up successfully to the expectations and trust of the Greek people.

By taking the oath today to the sanctities of our ancestors, who sacrificed their lives for their faith and country, you do not only undertake an utmost commitment, but you are morally attached to an invisible bond with them, and you are called to be worthy of this significant historic heritage, when and if called to perform your duty.

Your enlistment in the Greek Army is a constitutional mandate and everlasting social duty, but at the same time is an utmost honor and responsibility, provided to you as citizens, to serve your Country.

For the political leadership of the Ministry of National Defence, manpower is our most valuable weapon system and the most important force multiplier of our Armed Forces, therefore, the sincere interest, its fair handling and appropriate use is a priority in every Command level.

Be certain that throughout your tour of duty you will be the center of interest of your Commanders, who will count on you to execute their Units’ mission.

The challenges that you will face in the few months of your tour of duty are a lot and mainly concern your adjustment to the military way of living.

Be strong against difficulties and actively contribute to their handling, with passion, endurance and persistence. Be responsible, show interest and actively participate in all actions assigned. Obey and follow your superiors’ orders. Take care of your health. Be proud of the service you offer the Country. Be certain that in a few years from now, your military tour of duty will be a chapter in your life that you will recall nostalgically and proudly.

Your tour of duty is a creative phase of your life, during which you have the opportunity not only to contribute to the Country’s defence, but to gain as much experience and knowledge as possible and to acquire skills that will help you incorporate in the difficult and competitive professional arena with demands.

Embrace the military values; face all challenges with optimism, smile, perfect human relations, a winner’s spirit and faith in God. Show interest and responsibility throughout your tour of duty, having Virgin Mary by your side. Keep the oath that you just took devoutly and offer your services to the Country with zeal and selflessness.

New soldiers,

You have the privilege and the unique opportunity to serve your Country during an especially symbolic era, since this year marks the 200 year anniversary from the start of the Greek revolution. This anniversary is for all of us a great opportunity of historic re-examination and national self-knowledge, an action of both a bold review and a refreshing wariness, which will allow us as a Nation to meditate once more on the uninterrupted unity, that connects the past, the present and the future of Hellenism.

As Greeks, we are called to seize this historic opportunity, to be inspired by our eventful historic path, to acquire knowledge from both the great achievements and our painful failures, to rearrange our minds and look to the future with optimism, hope and faith, leaving behind the misery and persistence in stereotyped perceptions and fixed offences.

The anniversary of the National Revolution is a great opportunity to be inspired by our history, to visualize the future of the country and to introduce ourselves once again with our new, progressive, modern identity to Europe and the whole world.

I wish you good health and a smooth military tour of duty”.