The Minister of National Defence Panos Kammenos accompanied by the HNGS Chief Vice-Admiral Nikolaos Tsounos, attended the oath taking ceremony of drafted seamen of 2017 B’ Enlistment Series at the Skaramagka Naval Fort.
The Minister of Defence in his address stated the following:
“ I am extremely happy to be here today on the occasion of the oath taking of newly drafted seamen of the 2017 B’ Enlistment Series and their official accession in the family of the Hellenic Navy.
Dear Seamen,
This is a very special day. You have just taken the oath, assuming the national obligation to defend your country.
You are ready to fully accomplish any mission you may be assigned, securing for all Greeks one of the most important goods of human existence, freedom. Your enlistment, being dictated by the Constitution, is a diachronic duty of all active Greek citizens, and constitutes an ultimate honour and responsibility.
The political leadership of the Ministry of National Defence as well we the leadership of the Hellenic Navy, we all believe that the manpower is the core and the multiplier of the Hellenic Armed Forces, hence we place the emphasis on your training. I call you to show maturity and demonstrate your interest, also to obey and abide by the orders of your commanders.
Your service stint is not only a very creative period of your life, during which you will actively participate in the defence and the protection of the country, but simultaneously you will acquire knowledge which will enable you to smoothly become integrated in the demanding professional arena. Maybe some of you will decide to remain in the Hellenic Navy family.
Dear parents,
Support your children and be proud of them, they will dedicate a small but important part of their life serving their country.
Allow me to reassure you that the HNGS Chief, the Officers and NCOs will do everything to safeguard your children, and render them by the end of their service stint better citizens.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The geographic position of our country with the thousands of rocks and rocky islands has defined the historic destiny of our people through time.
The utter importance of naval power for the security and survival of the nation has conditioned the Greek people in the element of the sea and has rendered them the most skilled seamen in the world. The great heritage of the Hellenic Navy makes us all rest assured, because Greece and the sea are inextricably linked.
Especially this period, during the changes occurring in the Middle East and the Mediterranean, Greece as a stability factor with a powerful Navy, constitutes a security pillar for all peoples of Europe and the Alliance.
The seamen along with the members of the Hellenic Navy convey on a daily basis the message, towards all directions, that with determination, courage and temperance we are ready defend at any given moment the sacred heritage of our Nation.
This determination was once again witnessed by me and the military leadership of the Armed Forces last week during the Hellenic Navy Exercise “KATAIGIDA” . We are all proud of the high level of readiness of the members drafted youth of the Armed Forces.
Dear Seamen,
Closing , allow me to highlight that your service stint is an important part of your lives, which you will all look back on with feelings of nostalgia, we all did.
I wish to you all and your families health and progress and may St. Nicholas be by your side. Have a pleasant and creative time and rest assured that the MoD and Hellenic Navy leadership will constantly be by your side”.
