The Minister of National Defence Mr Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos made the following statement, on Thursday 21 January 2021, regarding changes in the military service:

“During today’s meeting of the Governmental National Security Council, the proposal made by the Ministry of National Defence regarding the military service was discussed, among other things.

This proposal is submitted in the wider context of the Armed Forces’ upgrade in terms of personnel.

To that end, the following declarations have already been made:

a) Increase in the number of students admitted in all of the Military Academies for Officers and NCOs.

b) Recruitment of Short-term Reenlistment Soldiers and Professional Soldiers.

Furthermore, upon a Ministerial Decision which will be issued shortly, the duration of the military service of enlisted Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Reserve Officers in all three Services of the Armed Forces is redesignated.

Consequently:

– The duration of full military service of the Hellenic Army conscripts is brought into line with that of the conscripts in the Hellenic Navy and the Hellenic Air Force, to 12 months for all Services.

– A military service of nine months is designated for those liable for full service, serving in specific Units of the Hellenic Army, the Hellenic Navy and the Hellenic Air Force, characterised by special operational and geographical features, under the condition of their stay in the aforementioned Units for their whole service.

– The duration of the military service for the Reserve Cadet Officers of the Hellenic Army, Hellenic Navy and Hellenic Air Force is designated at seventeen and fourteen months correspondingly.

The aforementioned Units will be specified through a new Order.

These new regulations will be put into effect in May and do not pertain to those already serving in the Armed Forces.

The said Ministerial Decision is taken in the context of the Prime Minister’s declarations regarding the overall upgrade of the Armed Forces in assets and personnel, aiming to resolve problems arisen from the declining performance of the Conscripts’ training series”.