The Minister of National Defense, Nikos Dendias, attended today, Friday, October 4, 2024, the swearing-in ceremony of the 2024 5th ESSO recruits, held at the Artillery Training Center (KEPV) – Recruit Training Center (KEN) in Thebes.

In his greeting, the Minister of National Defense announced important changes in military service and the reserve, in the context of the implementation of the “Agenda 2030”

In detail, the minister stated the following:

“It is my great pleasure to be today at the Artillery Training Center in Thebes (KEPB) for the swearing-in of the Training Series of Enlisted Soldiers (ESSO).

The young hoplites today took the constitutionally prescribed oath of loyalty and devotion to the Motherland. An act of individual responsibility towards the defense of the security of Greek citizens, that is, the defense of the freedom of Greece.

I would like to say that tenure is not a simple obligation. It is a debt and it is an honor.

I have no intention of consuming your time with unnecessary grandstanding. But I would like to tell you that the historical Greek example, from ancient times until today, is based on the citizen army.

The service of citizens as soldiers to the Fatherland is a timeless value choice of Hellenism. And that is why we parents stand up to our children with pride today. I understand the pride, as I understand any concerns you may have.

Ladies and gentlemen, our army is not professional, like in other countries. He has, of course, a brilliant professional background. However, it is based on the participation of the Greek citizen. And the ever-changing conditions also create new demands.

Therefore, the term of office, that is, the offering of time by young people to their Homeland, must evolve, so that it serves the modern security needs of our Homeland. And also be useful for young people.

That is why we are pushing for major changes, both in tenure and in the reserve.

Let’s be honest with each other. The term of drudgery must be transformed into a term of substance.

In a term opportunity, both for the homeland and for the recruit.

The soldier will be able to acquire skills useful for the Armed Forces, but also useful for him.

This is an opportunity to have a well-trained soldier, who will be able, if he so chooses, that is on a voluntary basis, to be transferred from the Armed Forces at regular intervals.

So in the next 24 months, in the context of the implementation of “Agenda 2030» military service is changing. It will be a integrated process of acquiring extensive basic business knowledge but also developing specific skills.

We will focus, in principle, on intensive operational training, but hoplites will gain knowledge that will make them ready for modern challenges. With the development of horizontal skills, necessary for survival in the context of modern businesses, as well as certified specialties.

In this way, we will equip the hoplites with knowledge that will make them generally useful and give them a strong advantage in their later life and career path.

We are in constant contact with the employers’ organizations so that the skills that the young people in the army will acquire to be corresponding to the needs of the modern market.

Also, the fighter’s uniform and equipment will also change. Modern helmet, goggles, knee pads, elbow pads, accessories, different water tank. A series of changes that will lead to the modern fighter and ultimately the modern army.

We estimate that we will need about 36 months to change the reserve as well and to be able to start the implementation of the pioneering program of voluntary conscription of women, so that our worthy professional staff can be completed by well-trained soldiers.

I will present all these, with special presentations, in the very near future.

I conclude by saying, ladies and gentlemen, that the existence of the Motherland has always rested and rests on the new generation of Greeks.

Both tenure and reserve are an existential condition. They are a prerequisite for being able to defend the country if required. Or to put it in two words: They are a necessary condition for national independent existence.

In closing, when I came to the Center I was informed of an interesting tradition. I am told that when the Minister attends the swearing-in he has the privilege of granting extra leave to new recruits. Since this is the first swearing-in I am attending after my own many years ago, I will make use of this ministerial privilege and please, Mr. Chief of the GES, that 5 days extra leave be given to every newly recruited soldier.

Thank you very much”.