On Thursday, 07 December 2023, the Deputy Minister of National Defense Ioannis Kefalogiannis, accompanied by the Deputy Chief of Hellenic Army General Staff, Lieutenant General Andreas Koronakis, visited the Career NCO School in Trikala, where he addressed the students.

Mr. Kefalogiannis was briefed by the Commandant, Brigadier General Ioannis Korelis, on the mission, organization, training schedule, as well as the current activities of the School. He toured the Museum, companies, and classrooms, while he attended demonstrations of training activities, at the end of which he congratulated the students’ squads who took part, both men and women. He also congratulated the school leadership for their outstanding work, while possibilities of further qualitative enhancement of the School were discussed.

In the meantime, he recognised Student Nikoleta Kasti, who found a suitcase with a considerable sum of money which she delivered, winning the praise of Greek society.

Following, he visited the childcare station, where he handed out gifts to the 19 2.5-4-year-old infants.

In his address during his visit to the Career NCO School, the Deputy Minister stated:

“It is a great honour for me to be here, at the Army Career NCO School. A School with a long history and a great contribution to the national struggles. Its motto in any case, “The fatherland is the most precious thing of all”, encapsulates, in few precious words, the timeless love, but also the great contribution of its students and its graduates to the country. A love that can be proven by the countless sacrifices of NCOs on the battlefield, in order for us to enjoy a free and independent country.

From a brief geopolitical study of today’s world, we notice that the geopolitical challenges have multiplied. This, combined with the incremental leaps in technology, has affected the conduct of war and has dramatically altered the modern battlefield requirements, upgrading the role of NCOs. Also, modern NCOs are called to handle high tech modern weapons and communications systems, which require significant knowledge. Meanwhile, the study of recent conflicts proves that small squads can dynamically engage on a wide spectrum of missions. Small squads, with NCOs in charge, possess great firepower, as well as the initiative in decision making. If, therefore, we attempt to define the Career NCO School’s mission, we realise that it is much more complicated than believed at first. Undoubtedly, its main mission is the production of high level, capable fighters and small echelon leaders who fully correspond to the new operational challenges. However, in time, NCOs can ascend to Senior Officer ranks, simultaneously undertaking great responsibilities and tasks. Career NCO School graduates will be called upon to undertake administrative duties, but also to fulfill the responsibilities of Staff Officer in the Hellenic National Defence General Staff and the Hellenic Army General Staff. Simultaneously, there is the need to staff Allied Staff Structures, International Missions, as well as Greek Embassies, with highly capable staff, graduates of the Career NCO School. All of these responsibilities create the axes along which the Academy is oriented. The first Axis is training modern fighters and small echelon leaders and their familiarisation with military virtues. This requires strenuous military training, which closely follows all tactical innovations. The Second Axis is to embrace, on the Student’s Part, physical training as a way of life. The soldier’s image is closely intertwined with physical stamina, and officers ought to maintain a physical condition which will allow them to fulfil their mission. The Third Axis is widening and enhancing academic learning, so that high quality officers are created. Handling high tech weapons and communications systems, and the high requirements of General Staffs and Allied Commands, require high level academic achievements across multiple academic fields. Here, we ought to emphasise that the need of graduate specialisation in technical fields renders investment in academic studies mandatory. The Fourth Axis is outreach. Parallel to its other obligations, the School must develop its social activities, through various actions, in order to promote its work and create the necessary osmosis between students and society.

Dear Students,

You should be proud of your choice. You have entered a School of high standards which holds a lofty place in the conscience of Greek society. Since the admission requirements were high, you made great efforts to be here. As you do daily in order to respond to the high requirements of military training and academic education. For which you are praiseworthy. Greek society stands witness to your professionalism and contribution. The soldiers you train and command are living proof of your work. You need not carry any doubts concerning society’s attitude towards you. Another ally are the laudatory comments made by foreign staff officers concerning the Hellenic Career NCO School graduates serving in Allied Commands. It is a fact that graduating will give you great opportunities in the future. You are going to command and come into contact with many people, of all social backgrounds, gaining broad experience. It is certain that you will serve in General Staffs, in sensitive positions, bearing the weight of crucial advice towards the Senior Leadership concerning crucial matters of the Armed Forces. You will have the opportunity to serve in Staff Commands of Allied Headquarters, in international missions, and Greek Embassies, putting your country at the foreground, and taking part in the conduct of military diplomacy. You have the opportunity of specialising in a field, rendering you indispensable for the service. Correspondingly, you will deepen your knowledge in your field of specialization studying in foreign military schools. You will gain the opportunity of promotion, reaching the higher levels of military hierarchy. This also comes with great responsibilities, but also, the joy of contributing to the decision-making process. You should be aware, of course, that your academic development does not come to an end upon graduating, but can continue with further studies in Universities, in order to gain under- and post-graduate degrees. You will come into contact with a great number of graduates, who have attended higher education and due to their skills hold crucial positions within the service. All the above, of course cannot be taken for granted, but have to be won with great effort and great sacrifice. You should also bear in mind that the foundations of a successful career are set inside this school. You should focus on military training, for it is what will turn you into successful fighters. An appropriately trained Career Sergeant, will, without fail, win the praise of his Commander, as well as the respect of his enlisted men, paving the way for a successful career.

You are fortunate to have to be trained by so special instructors, of particular professional skills, who instill knowledge and military virtue into you. You should not pass over this opportunity for professional formation. A healthy mind in a healthy body, as our ancient ancestors used to say. You should seize the opportunity granted by the School to take up sporting activities, useful in many ways, but necessary on a professional level. It is fortunate, that in your academic training you are under the supervision of professors of so high level, who broaden your mental horizons. You should take advantage of their knowledge, and deepen your study of the curriculum. You need to master a wide field of knowledge to handle new, intelligent weaponry and here is where the foundation for the acquisition of this knowledge is laid. This knowledge is needed in order to serve as staff officers and advisors in our Armed Forces staff structures and in allied headquarters. If this opportunity is squandered, it is extremely hard to recover. You should place heavy emphasis on learning foreign languages, since they are the key to a successful career. Finally, I urge you to participate in all activities connected with outreach, promoting the School and the Armed Forces in general to Greek society.

Today’s visit to the NCO Academy is not a routine visit, but signifies the start of a cooperation – a channel of communication for its upgrade. There is no doubt that your School enjoys respect throughout the Armed Forces, while graduates have, for years, been winning the highest praise, as much from the military leadership, as by our allies. It is our duty, then, as well as our will as political leadership, to take the steps, which will further upgrade it, on a military, as well as on an academic level. In this direction, our first step will be to take note of the problems, possibilities, and prospects of the School on all levels. Following, with contributions from all of you, both students and professors, we will design an action plan for its upgrade.

Closing, I would like to congratulate: The command and personnel of the School for the efforts you make for the Career NCO School to be an exemplary School with a distinguished contribution to the Armed Forces. The instructors and professors for your great contribution to the students’ training. The students, for your choice, but also for your effort to meet the professional standards required by our Armed Forces. I would also like to thank the students’ parents, who trust and honour the School, and by extension our Armed Forces.

Finally, allow me to highlight a praiseworthy action which proves the ethical values and principles which guide our Students, honouring the School and the Armed Forces. The action of Student Nikoleta Kasti, who found a suitcase containing a large sum of money, which she handed over, gaining the praise of Greek society. With this action of hers she honours her family and serves as an example for all. I call upon Student Nikoleta Kasti to receive this honourary plaque.”