What is service like in the mandatory Greek Army Service??

**Zane** · 09-13-2018, 06:47 AM

Hi, i'm a 3rd generation ethnic Greek immigrant currently living in Australia who is eligible for Greek for citizenship. From what I've heard i will have to serve at least 6 months in the Hellenic forces before i can gain citizenship, so my questions is....

What is military service like in Greece?

**Georgia** · 09-13-2018, 09:25 AM

Military training is not harsh nowadays(I think it lasts 9 months),the generation of my father (55+) served for 2 years in the army.

Except if you choose to serve in the special forces of course.

Anyway,I think the men of the forum can give you more enlightening answers than me.

**Thanas Django** · 09-13-2018, 09:28 AM

Please be more precise with your questions.

Do you have any concrete questions about military service in Greece?

Because my answer to your "how is it" question is a shrug of the shoulders.

**Zane** · 09-13-2018, 10:01 AM

1- How tough is it?
2- What do you do day to day?
3- Is it really as corrupt as they say?

**catgeorge** · 09-13-2018, 10:12 AM

You don't have to serve the military to gain citizenship if one of your parents or grand parents are Greek. You can not be less than 25% genus though and will need to do more than serving 6 months military to be considered genus.

It is challenging to tough but not easy

You are put in a squad based on metrics - multi shuttle runs, weapon handgrip consistency, counter movement jumps, repeated bench press, body fat determination not excluding mile runs etc to determine your body mass index to put you in the appropriate division. You can progress quickly based on your education and you have the opportunity to learn alot as well especially in the engineering divisions which have elite learning environments. I served in the 33rd mechanized infantry as a grunt.