Palmas urges military students bound for Greece to serve with integrity

Athalassa, Cyprus. Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas called on new military students heading to Greece to serve with integrity, discipline and responsibility, stressing the National Guard’s mission in a country he said has been under Turkish occupation for 52 years.

Speaking on Friday at the Ilias Papakyriakou camp, Palmas congratulated students admitted to Greece’s higher military academies and non-commissioned officer schools.

Service and training

Palmas said the ceremony marked the start of a new period of responsibility and service to the National Guard. He said the students had chosen to dedicate their careers to serving their country and defending its freedom, independence and territorial integrity.

He said their military and academic training would provide the knowledge and skills required to meet the demands of military life and develop as leaders capable of inspiring confidence, guiding personnel under their command and making decisions under pressure.

Military values

The minister urged the students to adopt military values based on honour, duty, discipline, integrity and selfless service to the common good.

“Be demanding first and foremost of yourselves. Set the example before asking others to follow it,” he said, adding that respect and trust were earned daily through conduct, consistency, integrity and personal example.

Palmas said their time at military academies would involve demanding conditions and decisions under pressure, but encouraged them to treat these challenges as opportunities for personal development.

National Guard role

Palmas said the students would in coming years become leaders responsible for guiding National Guard personnel and carrying out its mission with professionalism and determination.

“The National Guard needs you,” he said, stressing the need for officers with knowledge and judgement who regard military service as a lifelong commitment.

He added that the strength of the armed forces was not measured solely by equipment, weapons systems and operational capabilities, but primarily by the people serving in them, their character, training, discipline and morale.