The government on Thursday announced a quadrupling of the monthly stipend paid to cadets in all three of Greece’s military academies, as well as a doubling of similar – but lower – benefits for NCO cadets, part of an overall effort to reverse declining attendance and, by extension, shortages of career officers in the armed forces.
Specifically, cadets at the Hellenic Army, Navy and Air Force academies will see their monthly benefits rise from 165 euros to 609 euros; to 249 euros from 124 euros for cadets at tertiary schools for non-commissioned officers (NCOs). A college student’s pass will also be issued to cadets, providing them with discounts in various sectors, especially mass transit.
The decision was jointly announced by Defense Minister Nikos Dendias and Education Minister Kyriakos Pierrakakis.
In detailing the situation today, Dendias, the former foreign minister, said that in 2020 the percentage of allocated spots at military academies was covered by a rate that neared 99%, while in 2024 this rate fell to 64% – while dropping to only 34% today at the army academy from 100% just four years ago. He also said the “wash out” rate in the freshman class went from 6% in 2020 to 20% in pandemic-afflicted 2021; 15% in 2022; 18% in 2023, only to return back to a single-digit 7% this year.
Another batch of incentives will be announced in the forthcoming period, including the possibility of changing the university entrance exam process for would-be cadets, and allowing all secondary level graduates to apply for and take exams for entry into the academies.
Improved infrastructure and equipment has also been pledged by the Mitsotakis government to attract more young adults to the officers’ corps through graduation from one of the three military academies.
