As part of the conference titled “Reorganisation of the Reserve System”, organised by the Hellenic Army General Staff at the Amphitheatre Hall of the Hellenic Army Academy on Saturday, 26 April 2025, the Minister of National Defence, Nikos Dendias, presented the plan for the radical reform of the reserve forces under the framework of the “Agenda 2030.”

Recognising modern security challenges and the new geopolitical balances, Greece is undertaking a deep reorganisation centred on the establishment of the institution of the Active Reservist and the creation of new Reserve Retraining Centres. The objective is to form a force of 150,000 active citizen-soldiers, serving as a critical force multiplier for national defence planning.

The new institution of the Active Reservist is positioned between the standing armed forces and general mobilisation, addressing the strategic need for a ready and qualitatively upgraded force capable of immediate contribution during periods of crisis.

Participation in the Active Reserve will primarily be voluntary, with the possibility of compulsory call-up only in special circumstances or for critical specialties. Each soldier and officer cadet will be asked, upon completion of their service, whether they wish to join, while those discharged from the Armed Forces within the past decade will also have the opportunity to re-enlist.

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Training and retraining form a fundamental pillar of the new reserve system. A dynamic training model is being implemented, tailored to the modern realities of the battlefield, leveraging cutting-edge technologies such as combat simulators and drones. Training will not be theoretical but will be based on realistic scenarios and modern tactics, with the objective of maintaining operational readiness.

At least one retraining cycle, lasting three to six days, is planned every three to five years. Overall, reservist soldiers will have the opportunity to complete up to 80 days of retraining, while reservist officers may undergo up to 150 days of retraining throughout their engagement cycle.

To support the implementation of this plan, Reserve Retraining Centres are being established: one in Southern Greece near Attica and one in Northern Greece near Thessaloniki, utilising existing military facilities upgraded as necessary. At the same time, the rationalisation of the military infrastructure is being promoted, with unit mergers and relocations, aimed at enhancing the efficiency of the defence apparatus and addressing the current under-manning of military installations.

A major innovation is the complete digitalisation of the reservist notification and mobilisation process. The application “Reservist” (Έφεδρος) has already been integrated with gov.gr, allowing for the immediate and electronic dispatch of mobilisation orders, abolishing the outdated practice of physical service by police officers.

Additionally, the ability to send mass SMS notifications is being introduced, ensuring speed and immediacy in communication with reservists.

The institutionalisation of the Active Reservist and the comprehensive reform of the reserve system are not merely a defence necessity but also express a deeper, value-based perception of the citizen’s role in national defence. Promoting a defence culture and highlighting the citizen-soldier as a shield of democracy are central goals of this initiative.

As the Minister of National Defence emphasised, Greece — contrary to the international trend of exclusively professional armed forces — remains faithful to its historical model, where the participation of the citizen in national defence forms the cornerstone of national independence and democratic identity.

The reserve reform, as presented at the Hellenic Army Academy, is part of a long-term strategic vision that looks ahead and responds to the challenges of an unstable and threatening international environment, strengthening not only military power but also social cohesion and national self-confidence.

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