The Minister of National Defence Panos Kammenos accompanied by HAGS Chief  Lt General Alkiviadis Stefanis attended the oath-taking ceremony of newly – recruited privates of B’ 2017 National Series, at the Armour Training Centre in Avlona.

The Minister of National Defence in his address stated the following:

“ I am extremely honoured to be here today at the Armour Training Centre , along with the 2017 B’ National Series, the successors of the historic tradition of the Hellenic Army.

Young Privates,

This is a very special day. You have just taken the oath of the Greek soldier and you have assumed the national obligation to live up to the expectations and the trust of the Greek people.  

You gave the ultimate promise to the Homeland, that you will defend the most important good of human existence, freedom and that you are ready to fully execute your mission.  

Your drafting is the constitutional and diachronic duty of all active Greek citizens. Simultaneously, it is an ultimate honour and responsibility.

The political leadership of the Ministry of National Defence and the Army acknowledges that our manpower is a force multiplier of the Armed Forces and we are placing the emphasis on your training, as the demands are galore.   

You, along with the career staff,  are the corpus of the Hellenic Army Units and a source of power and pride for all of us.  

I call you to demonstrate responsibility, the required interest and active participation. Obey and abide by the orders of your superiors.

I welcome you to the Hellenic Armed Forces. Your Commanders, Officers and NCOs, as well as the political leadership will be by your side at the outposts, in Evros, the islands and every corner of our Homeland.

Your service period is a rather creative one, you will be given the opportunity to contribute to the defence of the country, as well as to be armoured with knowledge and acquire skills which will help your integration into the tough an competitive professional world.

The new institution of Short-term Privates will give the opportunity to some of you to continue their lives in the Hellenic Armed Forces.  

Dear parents,

Be proud of your children, they will dedicate a small but important part of their lives serving the country, and help us support them during their service. We welcome them to our family.

Ladies and gentlemen,

I am extremely happy because my daily contact with camps, exercise terrains, ships and battle Wings, makes me realize the high readiness level of our drafted youth and the Armed Forces members.

Greece, as we all know, is a force of security and a pillar of stability in the region of the Balkans and Eastern Mediterranean. We serve peace through the powerful Armed Forces, their combat worthiness and their deterring force.  

We stress to all directions, that respecting the principles of international law and the obligations that encompass it, is a prerequisite of peaceful coexistence and cooperation among peoples. We are determined to resist in face of any challenge and threat against our territorial integrity and national independence.

Allow me to remind you of another role of the Armed Forces, their participation in the social and economic prosperity of our country. Their daily presence, with their valuable social contribution prove that they are preachers of social solidarity.

Privates,

It won’t be long before your service will be just another capital of your life which you will cherish and miss, as did your predecessors. Allow me to wish the best to you and your families. Have a creative service and rest assured that the leadership of the MoD and the Army will always be by your side.

Seasons Greetings”.