Yesterday, Wednesday 8 July 2026, the Deputy Minister of National Defence, Thanasis Davakis, attended the oath-taking ceremony of the new 44th Training Class Petty Officers and Sergeants, which took place at the Hellenic Navy NCO Academy at Skaramangas Naval Fort, and presented the diplomas to the new NCOs.
The doxology was officiated by His Eminence, the Metropolitan of Nikea, Mr. Alexios.
The ceremony was also attended by MP Georgios Kotsos, the Chief of Hellenic Navy General Staff, Vice Admiral Dimitrios – Eleftherios Kataras HN, the Commander of the Naval Training Command, Rear Admiral Stefanos Sarris HN, the Commandant of the Hellenic Navy NCO Academy, Commodore Leonidas Fountanas HN, general officers of the Armed Forces, representatives of the local government and bodies, the Security Forces, active duty and retired officers, and family members of the new NCOs.
Graduates included 139 new NCOs, specifically 132 Petty Officers and 7 Joint Corps Sergeants (125 from Greece, 9 from Cyprus, 3 from Georgia, and 2 from Senegal).
In his address to the new NCOs, the Deputy Minister of National Defence stated the following:
“Today is a great day for you, your families who are proud of you, and our entire Hellenic Navy.
I am certain that, as specialised professionals, you will constitute important links in the operational chain of our fleet. It is you who, with your knowledge and dedication, will keep our warships operational as crew of the new Belharra frigates, the modernised MEKO frigates, and our submarines, thus protecting our national sovereignty.
I wholeheartedly congratulate you and wish you good luck in your career. On behalf of the State, our obligation to you is clear: to make your career meaningful, upgraded, and predictable. I wish you good health, strength, and all the best always!”
