The Deputy Minister of National Defence Giannis Kefalogiannis Visits the Recruitment Services

The Deputy Minister of National Defence Giannis Kefalogiannis Visits the Recruitment Services

April 29, 2024

The Deputy Minister of National Defence Mr Giannis Kefalogiannisvisited, today Friday 26 April 2024, the Recruitment Services in Rouf, where he was received by the Director of the HNDGS B' Branch Major General Konstantinos Bouzos and the Director of the HNDGS Legal Corps Major General Dimitrios Oikonomidis.

Mr Kefalogiannis underlined that in recent years, great progress has been made, with the assistance of the Computer Processing Recruitment Centre, leading to the Automated Recruitment System of the Armed Forces being considered a novelty, not only for our Ministry but also for the wider public sector. At the same time he announced that, in cooperation with the Ministry of Digital Governance, the materialisation of web services are under way, meaning electronic interconnections with public bodies, like Local Self-government Organisations and Financial Services Directorates.This step is integrated to the overall governmental planning for the exchange of the required data between public services and for the gradual discontinuation of certificate documents.

During his address, the Deputy Minister stated:

"I am particularly happy to be here today, among fellow legal practitioners, who staff the Recruitment Services of the Region of Attica, as well as the other Units of the Joint Legal Corps. The duties you perform are truly significant, given that in Greece the principle of universal recruitment applies. The military service constitutes the greatest institutionalised demonstration of the "national solidarity debt", the fulfilment of which the state has the right "to claim from all citizens", as per Article 5 of the Constitution. It was one of the most important measures taken by Eleftherios Venizelos, with its implementation expedited by the outbreak of World War I. The mission you have undertaken was not easy at all, since for decades, most of it had to be conducted in handwritten form.

That being said, in recent years, great progress has been made, with the assistance of the Computer Processing Recruitment Centre, leading to the Automated Recruitment System of the Armed Forces being considered a novelty, not only for our Ministry but also for the wider public sector. This progress was especially featured during the pandemic, when the remote submission of requests pertaining to recruitment was made possible. It must be underlined that the sum of almost all recruitment requests is available through the gov.gr digital portal, without the expense of public money, thanks to the effort of your members. It is not by chance that, based on a recent research, the Armed Forces hold the first place among the institutions of the Greek state trusted by the Greeks. I am certain that a huge portion of the well understood responsibility pertains to the qualitative work you offer as a communication channel between the Ministry of National Defence and the society in general.

Of course, there is always room for improvement. For that reason, in the context of our multidimensional modernisation plan, in cooperation with the Ministry of Digital Governance and the Society for Information, we proceed to the materialisation of web services, meaning electronic interconnections with public bodies, like Local Self-government Organisations and Financial Services Directorates. This groundbreaking reform has a double goal: On one hand to facilitate your everyday lives and decrease bureaucracy and on the other hand to simplify, even more, the lives of the citizens. This step is integrated to the overall governmental planning for the exchange of the required data between public services and for the gradual discontinuation of certificate documents. It is unacceptable for a citizen to act as the state's mailman in the 21^stcentury.

I would be remiss if I did not mention that your Corps contributes daily with the provision of legal advice to the military and political leadership. I would like to extol the high level of the military legal advisors, the majority of whom hold a Master's Degree. The spirit of initiative for lifelong learning and innovation which is being developed, distinguishes the members of the Armed Forces and drives us all to set and achieve higher goals. In my final remarks, I would like to congratulate you and thank you for your development thus far and to propel you to keep up the good work with the same zeal".