On Friday 7 June 2024, the Deputy Minister of National Defence Mr. Giannis Kefalogiannis, attended the oath taking ceremony of the Recruits of the C Recruitment Series 2024, at the Special Forces Training Centre, at “MAJOR GENERAL ANDREAS KALLINSKI” Camp. He was welcomed by the Director of HAGS/Special Forces Dte Major General Ioannis Korelis and the Commander of the Special Forces Training Centre Colonel (INF) Vasileios Papadopoulos.

Mr. Kefalogiannis, while addressing the Recruits, pointed out that the military service is a great honour and obligation for everyone, stressing the value of defending freedom, which constitutes the most important asset of man. At the same time, he congratulated the members for the excellent work they perform, stressing that the Political and Military Leadership will support the effort for the upgrading of training and the improvement of the living conditions.

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

“With great pleasure I welcome today in the ranks of the Armed Forces the new soldiers of the C Recruitment Series 2024, who took an oath of loyalty and devotion to the Country.

Dear Recruits,

Today’s oath taking ceremony is a special moment, since you completed successfully your basic training and you are called to serve with loyalty and devotion the Armed Forces, our glorious Army, responding to the expectations and trust of the Greek people.

During your service, you will have the opportunity to use your abilities, offering your services to defend the national interests; to contribute to society and furthermore to acquire skills, which will help you in your future career.

The service is for all a great honour and obligation. It is the greatest contribution to the Country and all the Greeks everywhere. We serve a Country with a long history, the birthplace of the world civilization, and a people who learned to live free. Be proud for the opportunity you take to defend the most important commodity of man, freedom.

The challenges you will face in your months of service are many and mainly they concern your adjustment in military life and its requirements. All the more so that many of you will enter the elite and glorious Corps of the Armed Forces and you will be called to staff the most demanding Units. Deal with the hardships with optimism, a smile everyday and positive thinking. You should be inspired by the motto “I too can do it”, as well as by the winner spirit. Be patient and persistent, maybe the two greatest virtues of man.

Also, always remember that your first concern must be your safety, keeping the provided security measures, not only in the working area but in your private life as well. I assure you that both the political and military Leadership will keep on making any possible effort, so that your training level remains high and the living conditions being such, so that you can execute your mission undisturbed.

Parents of the recruits,

I would like to thank you for the trust you show in the institution of the Armed Forces. You trust us with your children, the most valuable thing you have, and this is the greatest honour for us. You are proud for everything your children have achieved so far. Be also proud of the fact that they consciously chose to devote an important part of their life to the Country’s service. It is especially touching that these young men have ideals and love the Country. So, congratulations, not only to your children, but to you as well, for the characters you have molded. Your support is necessary during their service.

At this point, addressing all personnel of the Special Forces Training Centre, who are responsible for the physical but mainly the mental preparation of the new soldiers, I would like to express my congratulations for the outstanding work that they presented and the result they achieved. I assure you that the political and military Leadership will support your effort for the upgrading of training and the improvement of the living conditions.

Concluding, inspired by the motto of the Special Forces “Who Dares Wins”, I would like to state that all together, by keeping our traditional everlasting values and ideals and executing our duty with enduring decisiveness as the one I see in your look, we will safeguard the present and the future of Hellenism.

Thank you and I wish you a smooth service.”