On Friday, 31 March 2023, the Deputy Minister of National Defence, Mr. Nikolaos Chardalias, within the framework of the upgrade of the National Guard after the recent passing of the new Law 5018/2023 (Organisation of the National Guard), had meetings with National Guardsmen of the National Guard Battalions of Rodopi, Komotini, and Sapes at Camp “Lohagou Viktora Paraschou” in Komotini, as well as the National Guard Battalions of Xanthi, Ehinos, and Nestos at the Headquarters of the 4^th Service Support Brigade in Xanthi.

During these meetings, the Deputy Minister of National Defence addressed the National Guardsmen, stressing that the new institutional framework gives new impetus to the National Guard and upgrades its significant contribution to the country’s defence. He also added that the great contribution of National Guardsmen strengthens the bonds with the local communities they are part of in all border regions of our country.

Mr. Chardalias, after his meetings with the National Guardsmen, stated the following:

“I am very satisfied with the high morale, combat readiness, and enthusiasm of the National Guardsmen with whom I had the pleasure to meet and discuss. Our fellow citizens who every week, across the country, change from their civilian clothing into their field uniform, ready to fight for God and country 24/7.

Those who know every path, every stream, every pass on our country’s borders. Those who, with their unwavering devotion to duty and great social contribution, constitute the best link between the Army and the local communities. The Hellenic State counts on the National Guard as a reliable deterrent factor and will continue to seriously invest on it, as it recently did with the passing of Law 5018/2023.

I am truly proud of our National Guardsmen across the country who give their all to make us feel safe!”

The meetings were also attended by the Commanding General of D Army Corps, Lieutenant General Dimokritos Konstantakos, and the Commands of local Formations and the National Guard Battalions.

Furthermore, the Deputy Minister of National Defence attended the oath-taking ceremony of the newly-recruited soldiers of the 2023 B Enlistment Series, which took place in Camp “Lohagou Viktora Paraschou” in Komotini.

The ceremony was attended by the MP for Rodopi, Mr. Evripidis Stylianidis, his Eminence, the Metropolitan of Maronia and Komotini, Mr. Panteleimon, his Eminence, the Mufti of Komotini, Dr. Cihat Halil, the Commanding General of D Army Corps, Lieutenant General Dimokritos Konstantakos, delegations of Armed and Security Forces Officers, as well as friends and family of the newly-recruited soldiers.

Finally, Mr. Chardalias, accompanied by the Commanding General of D Army Corps, visited the Headquarters of the 4^th Service Support Brigade in Xanthi and the headquarters of the 182^nd TOR-M1 Guided Missile Battalion and the UAV Company of the 473^rd Surveillance and IT Systems Battalion in Komotini.

During these visits, the Deputy Minister of National Defence was briefed by the Commanders, Brigadier General Georgios Zoubaniotis (4^th Service Support Brigade), Lieutenant Colonel Konstantinos Sarros (182^nd Guided Missile Battalion), and Major Christos Smiliotopoulos (UAV Company, 473^rd Surveillance and IT Systems Battalion) on the organisation, mission, and current activities of the Formation and Units, respectively, was given a tour of their facilities, and discussed with their cadres and enlisted soldiers.