Since 1914, Greece has had mandatory military service (conscription) of 12 months in the Army, Navy and the Air Force for men between the age of 19 to 45. Citizens discharged from active service are normally placed in the Reserve and are subject to periodic recall of 1–10 days at irregular intervals.
Evzones of the Presidential Guard in front of the Greek Parliament armed with M1 Garands.
The Hellenic Army, formed in 1828, is the land force of Greece. The term Hellenic is the endogenous synonym for Greek. The Hellenic Army is the largest of the three branches of the Hellenic Armed Forces, also constituted by the Hellenic Air Force (HAF) and the Hellenic Navy (HN). The army is commanded by the chief of the Hellenic Army General Staff (HAGS), which in turn is under the command of Hellenic National Defence General Staff (HNDGS).
Alexander Ypsilantis (in Sacred Band uniform) crosses the Pruth, starting the Greek War of Independence. Painting by Peter von Hess
Demetrios Ypsilantis was commander of the tactical Greek forces during the Battle of Petra (1829), final battle of the War of Independence
Theodoros Kolokotronis, the most important commander of the Greek irregular forces during the Revolution
Panagiotis Rodios, as Army's colonel, one of the early supporters for the creation of regular army during the Revolution
