The first female volunteers will begin military service in the Hellenic Armed Forces this week as part of a new programme aimed at expanding personnel and modernizing the country’s armed forces, the Greek daily To Vima reported. The first participants in the programme are expected to begin service on Thursday as part of the second 2026 intake in the Armed Forces. They will undergo training at a military base near the city of Lamia, central Greece.
Women between the ages of 20 and 26 who meet the physical fitness requirements for military service and have a clean criminal record are eligible to apply for the programme. The duration of service is 12 months, with the same conditions and duties as for male conscripts. Female volunteers will also be able to participate in the selection procedures for reserve officer training under the same conditions that apply to men.
The publication noted that the initiative represents a significant change for the Greek armed forces, as compulsory military service has until now applied only to men. The measure is part of broader government efforts to strengthen the military recruitment system and address the personnel challenges facing the armed forces.
The Greek publication Proto Thema noted that voluntary military service for women is common in many European and Mediterranean countries. The publication also highlighted cases of men who failed to report for their mandatory military service in Greece. More than 37,000 Greeks did not report for military service, with 17,400 of them living abroad. Men who have not reported for military service will be able to do so by December 21, 2027, and will not face penalties, the publication added.
/NZ/