On Tuesday, 10 September 2024, the Deputy Minister of National Defence Giannis Kefalogiannis, representing the Prime Minister, awarded the diplomas to the graduates of the 14th Distant Learning Training Class of the Hellenic National Defence College.
The ceremony, which was held at the Armed Forces Officers’ Club, was attended by the Chief HNDGS, General Dimitrios Choupis, the Chief HNGS, Vice Admiral Dimitrios-Eleftherios Kataras, representatives of the Chiefs HAGS and HAFGS, the Commandant of the Hellenic National Defence College, Lieutenant General Athanasios Sardellis, His Grace the Bishop of Stavropigio Alexios, representing His Beatitude the Archbishop of Athens and All Greece, the Consul of the Embassy of the Republic of Cyprus in Greece Ms. Christina-Stella Ziga, as well as representatives of the Hellenic Parliament, political parties and the Security Forces.
In total, 103 students graduated, of whom 8 from the Army, 31 from the Navy, 31 from the Air Force, 1 from the Joint Corps, 3 from the Hellenic Police, 3 from the Fire Service, 3 from the Hellenic Coast Guard, 4 Civilian Employees of the Ministry of National Defence, 1 Civilian Employee of the Ministry of Health, and 18 Officers from the Republic of Cyprus.
The Deputy Minister praised the educational work of the College, highlighting that it is the top organisation producing defence, political, and strategic thinking in the field of our Country’s Armed Forces. At the same time he stressed that the priority of the political leadership of the Ministry is the further upgrade of the educational work, organisation and operation of military academies, as well as the reinforcement of their outreach through the enhancement of synergies with respective foreign educational institutions and Universities.
In his address, the Deputy Minister of National Defence stated, among others:
“It is a great honour to address today the graduates of the 14th Distant Learning Training Class of the Hellenic National Defence College; an Educational Institution which is the top organisation producing defence, political, and strategic thinking in the field of our Country’s Armed Forces. The training work of the College and the indelible mark it has left on the advancement of Armed and Security Forces officers, throughout time, is widely known and, without doubt, equivalent to that of most distinguished colleges of defence studies abroad. The knowledge provided has made generations of Greek officers capable of interpreting the increasingly changing security environment and incorporating the conclusions in the defence planning, while at the same time enhancing their decision making and defence diplomacy capabilities.
In this respect, the role of the Hellenic National Defence College is today more crucial than ever. The security challenges, especially in the sensitive area of the Middle East and the Mediterranean, have multiplied compared to the past, a development that requires the ability to manage critical situations. We live in a rapidly changing international environment, where fluidity prevails, stability is challenged, security is at risk, and peace is threatened. This environment necessitates flexible and efficient Armed Forces, which will be in position not only to counter any threat, but to have a strong deterrent presence. For this to happen, a requirement is the staffing of critical and leadership positions with high level personnel.
For this, Commandant, I would like to encourage you never to cease the effort for constant upgrade of the quality of the training provided by the College. In this effort of yours, I would like you to know that you will be supported by the Government, the political leadership of the Ministry of National Defence, and me personally. The priority of our Ministry is the further upgrade of the educational work, organisation, and operation of military academies, as well as the reinforcement of their outreach through the enhancement of the synergies with respective foreign educational institutions and Universities. In this effort, I will continuously be in touch with the College, using the valuable experience of the Leadership and the faculty.
New Staff Officers of National Defence, having successfully completed the demanding academic training, you are now ready to fully respond to the high expectations created by your graduation from the College. As you reach the top, demands increase and you must always be ready to face the new challenges that constantly arise. So, I encourage you to take any opportunity presented to you in the future, to use the knowledge acquired as students in the Hellenic National Defence College and utilise them in the best possible way to the benefit of our Country! I am certain that the leadership of the Armed Forces will use you in the best possible way. I congratulate you from the bottom of my heart for your mental effort, the capstone of which is today’s graduation. I would like to wish you personal and family health and happiness, all success in your new duties and all the best for the rest of your career”.