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This article is about the land force of modern Greece. See hoplites for information on Military systems in Ancient Greece.
The Hellenic Army (Greek: Ελληνικός Στρατός) is the land force of Greece. The Army of the modern nation of Greece has a history of nearly 190 years and came to its present form, gradually through those years. Motto of the Hellenic Army is "Freedom Stems from Valor" (Greek: "Ελεύθερον το Εύψυχον" - Eleftheron To Efpsihon) from Thucydide's History B, 43. The Hellenic Army Emblem is the two-headed eagle with a Greek Cross escutcheon in the centre, representing the links between modern Greece, the Greek Orthodox Church, and the Byzantine Empire.
[edit] Mission The main mission of the Hellenic Army is the defence of the state’s independence and integrity, the safeguarding of national territory, as well as the decisive contribution to the achievement of the country’s policy objectives.[1] During peacetime, the Army has the following main objectives:
[edit] HistoryMain article: History of the Hellenic Army The modern Hellenic Army was formed shorty after the creation of the State in 1828. The first out of eight tactical army regiments was established in February, 1828 after the respective order was given by the first head of state of the independent Greece, Ioannis Capodistrias.[2] This tactical army would replace the irregular military bands of the capetanei (καπεταναίοι - commanders) who had led the revolt against Ottoman Empire in 1821. The new formations were formed firstly in Troizina and were organized according to the ones of the French Army. First commander was appointed the French general Charles Nicolas Fabvier. In addition to the creation of tactical infantry units, Capodistrias proceded in the establishment of various other auxiliary corps, such as the Hellenic Military Academy, the first Artillery and Cavalry battalions, the Mechanics Corps and a unit of logistical support, the Army Commissariat. The first combined arms drills were executed in October, 1829 at Megara. The Hellenic Army has taken part in the following engagements:
Note: During World War II, the Army's equipment included the French Rifle Lebel M1886, the French Machinegun St. Etienne M1907, the French machinegun Hotchkiss M1914, the Belgian Rifle Mauser M1930 the Austrian Machinegun Schwarzlose M1907/12, the French machinegun Hotchkiss M1928, the Austrian Infantry Rifle Mannlicher-Schönauer M1903, and the French Machinegun Chauchat M1915.[3] [edit] StructureMain article: Structure of the Hellenic Army    [edit] General Staff
[edit] Combat and Support Arms
[edit] Army Units and FormationsMain article: Formations of the Hellenic Army .JPG) .JPG) After a major reorganization which occurred in the last decade, which included the transformation of most Infantry formations into Mechanized Brigades and a parallel reduction of personnel, Hellenic Army's higher command is the Hellenic Army General Staff..[4] There are four major military commands which supervise all army units,
Although divisions still exist, having the role of forward commands, the Army is mainly organized in brigades, that follow the typical NATO standards consisting of five battalions, three maneuver, one artillery, one support and some other company sized formations. According to the latest developments, up to 2015 , all active divisions will dissolve, but all brigades will acquire one more maneuver battalion, largely eliminating the distinction between mechanized and armored formations, thus creating a new type brigade, which will be named Strike Brigade.[5] [edit] Personnel  Left to right: Islander, Macedonian, traditional mainland, modernized mainland & Pontic. There are three classes of personnel in the Hellenic Army, namely professional, volunteer and conscript. Conscript enlisted men and non-commissioned officers wear special rank insignia to differentiate them from volunteers. There are currently 109,266 personnel on active duty. Mobilization strength is 575,000 more. Most professional officers graduate from the Evelpidon Military Academy in Athens (Στρατιωτική Σχολή Ευελπίδων) and the Corps Officers Military Academy in Thessaloniki (Στρατιωτική Σχολή Αξιωματικών Σωμάτων), while the rest graduate from various Military Schools according to their specialization. In the chain of command, graduates of the two Military Academies in Athens and Thessaloniki are considered higher in seniority compared to professional officers of the same rank who graduate from specialized Military Schools. The latter officers are followed in seniority by volunteer and finally conscript staff. [edit] EquipmentMain article: List of equipment of the Hellenic Army Main article: List of historical equipment of the Hellenic Army The heavy equipment and weaponry of the Hellenic Army is mostly of foreign manufacture, from German, French, American, British and Russian suppliers. A notable exception is the native-built Leonidas armored fighting vehicle by the Hellenic Vehicles Manufacturer Industry (ELBO). Equipment runs the gamut from state-of-the art to obsolescent Cold War inventories; the latter are gradually being retired. [edit] Uniforms and RanksMain articles: Hellenic Army officer rank insignia, Hellenic Army Other Ranks rank insignia, and Greek Army uniforms The structure of Hellenic Army ranks has its roots in British military traditions and follows NATO standard rank scale. The rank of Stratarchis (Στρατάρχης, equivalent to Field Marshal or General of the Army) though, has been historically used, but is no longer extant. It was first awarded to King Constantine I for his leadership in the Balkan Wars. The rank was subsequently assumed by his successors upon accession, until the abolition of the monarchy. The only regular officer to have been awarded the rank was General Alexander Papagos on 28 October 1949. [edit] Photo Gallery
[edit] References
[edit] Sources and bibliography
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
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