Starting in August of 2009 the Defence Minister Mr. Meimarakis has finally decided to reduce the compulsory military service to 9 months instead of 12.
This change only stands for the ground armyand not the airforce or the navy. Although a law hasn't been issued yet and made public,the decision is final and has been voted uponby the KYSEA. Those who were enlisted in February of 2009 will serve one month less(11 months) and those who were enlisted in May of 2009 will serve two months less (10 months).By reducing the military service or thitia, the newlaw will require all those enlisted to serve outside their home towns, most likely close to the borders (whereas with the previous law they could be transfered to their hometowns or close to them towards the end of their service). So why reduceit now?
More and more young men and women(epagelmaties oplites) are choosing a career in the army, therefore reducing the need for enlisted young men. The measure is meant to also reduce the expenditure in the Defence Department by 15% in 2010 and 10% within the next four years. More electronic means will gradually be used to guard military posts. What does this mean for young men? Basically, it allows them to enter the work force more quickly and it takes a strain off of families who support their sons throughout the entire year of their military service. Although the army pays each soldier a "salary" of approximately 9 euros per month, it doesn't even come close to covering the travel expenses and other daily expenses a soldier may have.
Sources:
http://www.in.gr/NEWS/article.asp?lngEntityID=1021876
|
|
A military defaulter (ανυπότακτος) is someone that failed to show up on the date that he was supposed to for his military service.
A military deserter (λιποτάκτης) is someone that started his military service, but left before its termination. Someone is considered a deserter after 15 consecutive days of absence from the army.
|
|
Whether or not you have to go to the Greek Army is an issue that haunts every male Greek that lives abroad. In the past it was even the reason why so many men didn’t set foot on Greece for several years after their 18th birthday. In the articles of this Featured Army Articles section I will try to cover the basics concerning the military service in Greece. This information was obtained from official government documents; however, do not take this as an official source. For more detailed information on your individual cases contact your local embassy or military office (Στρατολογικο Γραφειο) wherever you or your parents are registered in Greece.
|
|
|
There are several bylaws governing the various situations as to whether someone can postpone their military service for a while or avoid it completely. Going to the Greek army (Ellinikos Stratos) is not something people look forward to. Here are ways to postpone or avoid it.
You Don’t Have to Go to the Army if:
|
|
There are two types of Greeks living abroad: those born abroad of Greek parents and those born in Greece. Children born abroad to parents of Greek descent have no obligation to enlist in the Greek army if their parents have never declared them in any Greek government office or local authority.
|
|
|
|
|
|
