the 2 main reasons that the military should be mandatory in greece are 1: we don't have the budget and the population to have large profetional army 2: for those who tell that is a waste for time, is not. you don't go to the army for training all the time we go because we need people to just be there imediatly in case of being attacked imagin in case of a turkish invasion, greece start mobalization and soldiers need to move from athens to the islands and the islands don't have active army or very little army
Sure, can totally understand why we need the military and mandatory conscription, but should there be avenues for the minorities that build careers early? I think that’s where the criticism has been not on whether it should be mandatory or not.
@@kostashliopoulos9293 I started my career when I was 12, was very successful by the time I was 18. While I understand that’s not the norm, I don’t view the above as a solution.
@@JimPastirmatzis 1st congratulations that is very impressive. Look a case like yours is really rare and ok i can understand that the service is keeping you in a stalemate but it is not just the responsibility but also the privilege of a citizen to protect his fatherland.
@@kostashliopoulos9293 thank you! I can totally agree, I am not fundamentally opposed to the service and totally understand why it’s needed. My brother is serving in the special forces right now also, very proud of him. Tons to be learnt during service that can be invaluable outside of the camp. The service can shape a man to some degree too if it’s taken seriously. It’s just massively conflicting to immensely important infrastructure I’ve built during my teenage years which were not easy to sacrifice.
That's unfortunately not how it works. Yes, you can postpone by going to a university (which I did) but then you are able to pay only after you are 35 years old which is a lot longer than the course of uni, and you would still need to serve for sometime. (you don't buy it all off)
Πρώτη φορά στη ζωή μου βλέπω άνθρωπο που είναι Υπέρ της στρατιωτικής θητείας Αλλά παρόλα αυτά δεν πήγε ποτέ ούτε έχει σκοπό να πάει και θα ήθελε να υπάρχει τρόπος να μπορεί να το αποφύγει! Η υποκρισία σε όλο της το μεγαλείο!
Δυστυχώς, δεν περιμενω να με καταλαβεις. Ουτε θελω να προσπαθησω. Αν δουλευες ποτε σαν σκυλι απο τα 12 μεχρι 18 και εκανες μεγαλη καριερα για να την πεταξεις για 8 μηνες θητειας, τοτε θα μπορουσαμε να εχουμε συζητηση. Αλλα εφοσον κατα 99.99% δεν το εχεις κανει, το μονο που μπορεις να κανεις ειναι να κατακρινεις.
I didn't realise Greece still does national service. I think your situation, with you already running your business by the time you were 18 is unique. I think the majority of people, regardless if they're doing national service in Greece or another country, would not have the same problems as you did
@@JimPastirmatzis I've heard in South Korea, they can avoid doing military service by doing other public service work. Maybe that could be an option? But I think the Greek military should become a voluntary force. At least you would have people who want to be there.
@@Liam1991 voluntary service is not an option. Our neighbouring country literally invades our waters and airspace all the time and constantly say provocative stuff that can lead to war. Also you have to go to serve your country. + Many other reasons why it's good for both the country and the people.
I’m not sure if you would reply to this or not but I’m in a situation where I really want to serve in the Greek army as from what I understand it’s the only way I can get a passport, my parents are Syrian and I was born in Greece so I have a Syrian passport and a Greek ID card , I’ve been living in the UK for over 8 years now and I can’t get a British passport as I already have a dual nationality , Im 20 and don’t speak Greek anymore Arabic and English is what language I use so I tend to only know these 2 , any ideas on what I can do to serve the Greek army, I tried going on the website but it’s too complicated and I also would want to know things about the service like length wages and locations thanks you
I don't think conscription is mandatory because it's "so great" but rather because the country absolutely needs to have trained reserve in case of all out war. (which is fair probability given history and current events) With that said, when you ask the above question I look at Israel and try to figure why do they have both men and women serve vs Greece. I think it probably has plenty to do with the fact that they are in a more volatile region and that Greece has the backing (and is a member of) NATO. What are your thoughts on why those policies were made this way?
@@JimPastirmatzis Because society views men as disposable. Also its not just Israel that drafts women. Norway and Sweden conscript women too. There is no justification for a male only draft in 2022.
I am over 35 and my husband too, we want to buy the golden visa but this military service is the one thing i fear... what does you mean with being a resident of another country? My husband has been a US resident for 10 years, does that c count? Would you please tell me more about paying to opt out?
Hello, is your husband American? Getting golden visa is fine, you don’t have to worry about this at all when you’re a resident. It’s something to consider if you ever become a citizen. If he’s old by then he may even be fully ineligible. I’d call Stratologia and ask, but I don’t think it’s a matter to worry you if the above is true.
I was born in Greece but I lived most of my life in USA and I have an American citizenship how long can I stay in Greece without having a problem with the army not letting me leave
Depending on your age and proof of citizenship, there may be legal ways to avoid this. I’d call Stratologia and find out. They should also be speaking English I think. Good luck!
I believe everyone with a Greek citizenship must serve but certain people can be exempt due to their circumstances. I could be wrong though. I’d call Stratologia and find out. Maybe you don’t need to even do anything. I’d still check if I were you.
I am Greek and I can’t really speak read or write Greek well I can’t even write or read in Greek I still have some years left, but it’s not going to be easy I hope everybody can speak English in the Greek army😅
Good question - so... if you wait till the age of 35 or whatever it is, you can buy it off and have to serve 1 month. If you live abroad for 11 consecutive years, I believe you can get some form of exemption.
I think that mandatory military service combined with tight restrictions on fire arms possession/carrying is a kind-a paradoxical situation. In Bulgaria an 18 year old kid was obliged to serve in the army , carry and take responsibility of as a minimum an ak47 rifle (perhaps if lucky/unlucky riding a tank as well). In the civil life same kid is considered as not reliable to carry or posses a real weapon. Maybe we are likely to kill each other more if allowed by the law to own weapons, but considering the judgement system that you mentioned and the ignorance and incompetency of the politicians, those restrictions are probably of somewhat different intentions. Not to protect us from us but rather... Military service is meant to train you and prepare to die for your country. Kids of the bulk number of the politics in most countries never go where the real shit is happening though.
What happens if you can’t speak Greek? Do they put you into an English speaking platoon etc? I’m a Greek Cypriot living abroad and want to do something until I start my law
English platoon hahahahahaha..wrf you think this is You spent long time abroad greece is a shit hole if you go..you will be with everyone else but have a difficult time
No, I have not. No such option till I am quite older. For now I signed up to a uni and almost done with the studies - but if it wasn't for the military I likely would not sign up and just focus on business. Right now have time off till end of 2024. After this, we are looking at a few different options.
I’m British Greek and I don’t believe in mandatory military service, i think that it should become like a job were people, men and women, who want to join as a career should join but I don’t agree that all men who are fit to serve should be forced to serve. Its quite old fashioned thinking in my opinion and it’s also discriminatory against men.
It is discriminatory, but we have 2 big questions to address here: 1) Can Greece, given its financial situation afford a mercenary type of military? 2) Should military be optional and risk Greece not having a good enough military despite the big conflicts and potential escalations that can take place with a country that has a stronger military capability? (As well as bigger population) P.S. Not saying greater capability or bigger population are single factors to winning a war (as history has very well shown) but rather that these are two very important factors that can affect which way a war can conclude that are not to be taken lightly. What are your thoughts on the above?
@@JimPastirmatzis on those points, in my opinion, firstly the second point, I do not believe, despite on and off tensions between turkey and Greece, that Greece and turkey will not go to war in the 21st century. I believe this because firstly no matter the intense history between the two countries, the wars the genocides etc, now in the 21st century greece and turkey are allies in nato and if turkey attacks Greece the entirety of nato would get involved which would trigger a bigger war. I don’t believe that the Turkish president is crazy enough to do this. Also a war would severely damage the Turkish economy and there reputation globally. Some people might compare greece and turkey’s situation with Ukraine and Russia, but they are very different situations. Neither Ukraine or Russia is part of nato, which got rid of the possibility of the war becoming bigger. Basically in short Greece is not alone if there would be a war and in my opinion there is an extremely low risk of there actually being a war. On the first point I do believe that Greece can have a mercenary type of military like most of Europe has. In my opinion it’s better to train people who are physically fit and want to join and also pay them a decent wage. This will attract people to join, men and women. At the end of the day not everyone is the same and not everyone enjoys military life. It’s better to make it optional so Greeces army can have people who are willing to fight instead of people who don’t care and just do lazy jobs in the military just to basically get it over and done with. Anyways those are my thoughts.
Conscription is the most useless thing ever for a country. If the ''country'' is self-respected - it has to maintain a professional army. I'm a native Bulgarian living abroad, and in 1991 my brother returned from national service and stated that those were the most wasted years of his life. Basically, you do what! You're the gardener of your officer. You're his babysitter looking after a badly raised child and doing his homework. If these are the skills, the "national service" installs in you... then it will work out in life. I will give you an example: Look at the Russian army and how it has proceeded so far in Ukraine! The conscripts at the front lines didn't get much training and suffered losses. "Professionalism in the army is needed because professional soldiers get better payment and conscripts less: which is inequality." And the conscripts are treated like garbage.
Some respectable points here. It's part of why I said if you do go to the army and have no choice; go to a department that will actually get you something. (Special Forces, Air Force, Navy) Most people go for the lazy positions so they can do the least amount of serious, disciplined work.
@@JimPastirmatzis: Positions such as babysitter and lawn doer! During this period in Bulgaria, many did try to pass the medical examination by pretending they had mental disorders. "Altering the medical documentation to 'pass' as if they're sick." Is it the same in Greece? What is the most common method to avoid conscription?
It is a fear of mine since i remember my self. From the first day of a male baby's life, every birth certificate goes straight to the military, So they know from your first breath that they are going to sent you a letter in 18 years. All this is scary to think. I really don't understand why am i forced to join the army and do whatever being commanded, live everything behind and WASTE 12 months. Sorry to the dude speaking, but i am not convinced. I can't help my fear and anxiety and i even asked mental health specialists about this. Its still not clear for me what to do. I just think its nonsense. It should be optional for everyone and since we belong to Europe, the borders should be covered by a PAID European army.
I am a Greek American and I really want to serve in the Greek military after college
Hey that’s awesome! Give a call to Stratologia and see what your options are.
Any option except the Special Forces is a waste of time.
@@pontikofarmako3634 Why is that?
Ρώτα την πρεσβεία
@@pontikofarmako3634και οι δύο περιπτώσεις χάσιμο χρόνου είναι
Η θητεία είναι υποχρεωτική για λόγους επάνδρωσης αν είχαν 60.000 επιπλέον ΕΠΟΠ δεν θα χρειαζόταν να πάει κανείς
When military action is necessary politicians have failed or sold out , sort out politicians and military action will never be needed.
Dictators sometimes don’t care about politics.
the 2 main reasons that the military should be mandatory in greece are
1: we don't have the budget and the population to have large profetional army
2: for those who tell that is a waste for time, is not. you don't go to the army for training all the time we go because we need people to just be there imediatly in case of being attacked imagin in case of a turkish invasion, greece start mobalization and soldiers need to move from athens to the islands and the islands don't have active army or very little army
Sure, can totally understand why we need the military and mandatory conscription, but should there be avenues for the minorities that build careers early? I think that’s where the criticism has been not on whether it should be mandatory or not.
@@JimPastirmatzis there is a solution for this. It should be mandatory to go 18 years old to get it done and then study, work ect.
@@kostashliopoulos9293 I started my career when I was 12, was very successful by the time I was 18.
While I understand that’s not the norm, I don’t view the above as a solution.
@@JimPastirmatzis 1st congratulations that is very impressive. Look a case like yours is really rare and ok i can understand that the service is keeping you in a stalemate but it is not just the responsibility but also the privilege of a citizen to protect his fatherland.
@@kostashliopoulos9293 thank you! I can totally agree, I am not fundamentally opposed to the service and totally understand why it’s needed. My brother is serving in the special forces right now also, very proud of him. Tons to be learnt during service that can be invaluable outside of the camp. The service can shape a man to some degree too if it’s taken seriously. It’s just massively conflicting to immensely important infrastructure I’ve built during my teenage years which were not easy to sacrifice.
You can ask for a delay to start the course and if you pay a specific sum off money not to go there.
That's unfortunately not how it works.
Yes, you can postpone by going to a university (which I did) but then you are able to pay only after you are 35 years old which is a lot longer than the course of uni, and you would still need to serve for sometime. (you don't buy it all off)
Πρώτη φορά στη ζωή μου βλέπω άνθρωπο που είναι Υπέρ της στρατιωτικής θητείας Αλλά παρόλα αυτά δεν πήγε ποτέ ούτε έχει σκοπό να πάει και θα ήθελε να υπάρχει τρόπος να μπορεί να το αποφύγει! Η υποκρισία σε όλο της το μεγαλείο!
Δυστυχώς, δεν περιμενω να με καταλαβεις. Ουτε θελω να προσπαθησω. Αν δουλευες ποτε σαν σκυλι απο τα 12 μεχρι 18 και εκανες μεγαλη καριερα για να την πεταξεις για 8 μηνες θητειας, τοτε θα μπορουσαμε να εχουμε συζητηση. Αλλα εφοσον κατα 99.99% δεν το εχεις κανει, το μονο που μπορεις να κανεις ειναι να κατακρινεις.
@@JimPastirmatzis facts 👍
I didn't realise Greece still does national service. I think your situation, with you already running your business by the time you were 18 is unique. I think the majority of people, regardless if they're doing national service in Greece or another country, would not have the same problems as you did
Totally understand, but what happens to the outliers? Even if we’re a minority, what’s the solution?
@@JimPastirmatzis I've heard in South Korea, they can avoid doing military service by doing other public service work. Maybe that could be an option? But I think the Greek military should become a voluntary force. At least you would have people who want to be there.
@@Liam1991 voluntary service is not an option. Our neighbouring country literally invades our waters and airspace all the time and constantly say provocative stuff that can lead to war.
Also you have to go to serve your country. + Many other reasons why it's good for both the country and the people.
Yes, I agree. Greece, with the current set of circumstances cannot become a voluntary force.
I’m not sure if you would reply to this or not but I’m in a situation where I really want to serve in the Greek army as from what I understand it’s the only way I can get a passport, my parents are Syrian and I was born in Greece so I have a Syrian passport and a Greek ID card , I’ve been living in the UK for over 8 years now and I can’t get a British passport as I already have a dual nationality , Im 20 and don’t speak Greek anymore Arabic and English is what language I use so I tend to only know these 2 , any ideas on what I can do to serve the Greek army, I tried going on the website but it’s too complicated and I also would want to know things about the service like length wages and locations thanks you
You should call Stratologia and explain your situation. They’ll help you out. It’s what they do.
If you decide to do it
You will probably do 3 months only
Why didn't you address the discrimination that ONLY men have to serve? Why should women be exempt from conscription if it's so great?
I don't think conscription is mandatory because it's "so great" but rather because the country absolutely needs to have trained reserve in case of all out war. (which is fair probability given history and current events)
With that said, when you ask the above question I look at Israel and try to figure why do they have both men and women serve vs Greece. I think it probably has plenty to do with the fact that they are in a more volatile region and that Greece has the backing (and is a member of) NATO.
What are your thoughts on why those policies were made this way?
@@JimPastirmatzis Because society views men as disposable. Also its not just Israel that drafts women. Norway and Sweden conscript women too. There is no justification for a male only draft in 2022.
Because women are women and men are men.. U don't send women to war what's wrong with u
I am over 35 and my husband too, we want to buy the golden visa but this military service is the one thing i fear... what does you mean with being a resident of another country? My husband has been a US resident for 10 years, does that c count? Would you please tell me more about paying to opt out?
Hello, is your husband American?
Getting golden visa is fine, you don’t have to worry about this at all when you’re a resident. It’s something to consider if you ever become a citizen.
If he’s old by then he may even be fully ineligible.
I’d call Stratologia and ask, but I don’t think it’s a matter to worry you if the above is true.
He is, awesome, thank you!!
I was born in Greece but I lived most of my life in USA and I have an American citizenship how long can I stay in Greece without having a problem with the army not letting me leave
Depending on your age and proof of citizenship, there may be legal ways to avoid this.
I’d call Stratologia and find out. They should also be speaking English I think.
Good luck!
I'm a Bulgarian with greek citizenship, but I've never lived in Greece. Does this mean I'll have to serve?
I believe everyone with a Greek citizenship must serve but certain people can be exempt due to their circumstances.
I could be wrong though.
I’d call Stratologia and find out. Maybe you don’t need to even do anything. I’d still check if I were you.
@@JimPastirmatzis Thank you!
I am Greek and I can’t really speak read or write Greek well I can’t even write or read in Greek I still have some years left, but it’s not going to be easy I hope everybody can speak English in the Greek army😅
Hahaha well, generally younger Greeks speak some English. Some even too well.
Best of luck!
How long do you have to stay in the military if you live abroad???
Good question - so... if you wait till the age of 35 or whatever it is, you can buy it off and have to serve 1 month. If you live abroad for 11 consecutive years, I believe you can get some form of exemption.
@@JimPastirmatzis Thanks for telling me have a good day man you just got a new subscriber
@@based.greek-persianmapper6447 you’re most welcome! And welcome aboard.
I was born and raised in the UK and I am only serving 3 months in the Greek Army. It depends how long you've been outside of Greece.
I think that mandatory military service combined with tight restrictions on fire arms possession/carrying is a kind-a paradoxical situation. In Bulgaria an 18 year old kid was obliged to serve in the army , carry and take responsibility of as a minimum an ak47 rifle (perhaps if lucky/unlucky riding a tank as well). In the civil life same kid is considered as not reliable to carry or posses a real weapon. Maybe we are likely to kill each other more if allowed by the law to own weapons, but considering the judgement system that you mentioned and the ignorance and incompetency of the politicians, those restrictions are probably of somewhat different intentions. Not to protect us from us but rather... Military service is meant to train you and prepare to die for your country. Kids of the bulk number of the politics in most countries never go where the real shit is happening though.
Do the gov paid you meanwhile the military service? Is there a monthly salary? Is it for 12 months?
As far as I know it's so low it's basically non existent.
9 euros a month
@@anas_el4450 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 reallllyyy!!!!!
@@ziadalzayyat wallah
@@anas_el4450 u did it already?
What happens if you can’t speak Greek? Do they put you into an English speaking platoon etc? I’m a Greek Cypriot living abroad and want to do something until I start my law
English platoon hahahahahaha..wrf you think this is
You spent long time abroad greece is a shit hole if you go..you will be with everyone else but have a difficult time
@@sir2657 like foreign legion. Not hard to entertain the thought
@@nicholaski9182 greece is in thr stone age
@@sir2657 cool bro
I'd call Stratologia and ask. That's a great question.
So you payed for your military ?
No, I have not. No such option till I am quite older. For now I signed up to a uni and almost done with the studies - but if it wasn't for the military I likely would not sign up and just focus on business. Right now have time off till end of 2024. After this, we are looking at a few different options.
I’m British Greek and I don’t believe in mandatory military service, i think that it should become like a job were people, men and women, who want to join as a career should join but I don’t agree that all men who are fit to serve should be forced to serve. Its quite old fashioned thinking in my opinion and it’s also discriminatory against men.
It is discriminatory, but we have 2 big questions to address here:
1) Can Greece, given its financial situation afford a mercenary type of military?
2) Should military be optional and risk Greece not having a good enough military despite the big conflicts and potential escalations that can take place with a country that has a stronger military capability? (As well as bigger population)
P.S. Not saying greater capability or bigger population are single factors to winning a war (as history has very well shown) but rather that these are two very important factors that can affect which way a war can conclude that are not to be taken lightly.
What are your thoughts on the above?
@@JimPastirmatzis on those points, in my opinion, firstly the second point, I do not believe, despite on and off tensions between turkey and Greece, that Greece and turkey will not go to war in the 21st century. I believe this because firstly no matter the intense history between the two countries, the wars the genocides etc, now in the 21st century greece and turkey are allies in nato and if turkey attacks Greece the entirety of nato would get involved which would trigger a bigger war. I don’t believe that the Turkish president is crazy enough to do this. Also a war would severely damage the Turkish economy and there reputation globally. Some people might compare greece and turkey’s situation with Ukraine and Russia, but they are very different situations. Neither Ukraine or Russia is part of nato, which got rid of the possibility of the war becoming bigger. Basically in short Greece is not alone if there would be a war and in my opinion there is an extremely low risk of there actually being a war. On the first point I do believe that Greece can have a mercenary type of military like most of Europe has. In my opinion it’s better to train people who are physically fit and want to join and also pay them a decent wage. This will attract people to join, men and women. At the end of the day not everyone is the same and not everyone enjoys military life. It’s better to make it optional so Greeces army can have people who are willing to fight instead of people who don’t care and just do lazy jobs in the military just to basically get it over and done with. Anyways those are my thoughts.
Conscription is the most useless thing ever for a country. If the ''country'' is self-respected - it has to maintain a professional army. I'm a native Bulgarian living abroad, and in 1991 my brother returned from national service and stated that those were the most wasted years of his life. Basically, you do what! You're the gardener of your officer. You're his babysitter looking after a badly raised child and doing his homework. If these are the skills, the "national service" installs in you... then it will work out in life. I will give you an example: Look at the Russian army and how it has proceeded so far in Ukraine! The conscripts at the front lines didn't get much training and suffered losses. "Professionalism in the army is needed because professional soldiers get better payment and conscripts less: which is inequality." And the conscripts are treated like garbage.
Some respectable points here. It's part of why I said if you do go to the army and have no choice; go to a department that will actually get you something. (Special Forces, Air Force, Navy)
Most people go for the lazy positions so they can do the least amount of serious, disciplined work.
@@JimPastirmatzis: Positions such as babysitter and lawn doer! During this period in Bulgaria, many did try to pass the medical examination by pretending they had mental disorders. "Altering the medical documentation to 'pass' as if they're sick." Is it the same in Greece? What is the most common method to avoid conscription?
Try to defend yourslef with 60.000 troops against an army of 800.000 .It is a suicide .That's why conscription in greece is neccesary
We have albania ,vardaska to the north and turkey at the east .We can't afford with just a professional army .We don't live in Switzerland
It is a fear of mine since i remember my self. From the first day of a male baby's life, every birth certificate goes straight to the military, So they know from your first breath that they are going to sent you a letter in 18 years. All this is scary to think. I really don't understand why am i forced to join the army and do whatever being commanded, live everything behind and WASTE 12 months. Sorry to the dude speaking, but i am not convinced. I can't help my fear and anxiety and i even asked mental health specialists about this. Its still not clear for me what to do. I just think its nonsense. It should be optional for everyone and since we belong to Europe, the borders should be covered by a PAID European army.
I believe if you're not mentally fit to serve (even due to high anxiety) there should be a way out. I'd look into it.
Nobody cares!
You clearly care enough to take time to comment and then like your own comment. I digress.
@@JimPastirmatzis Nobody cares
Nobady cares
I care
We Greeks do