First female volunteers begin military service in Greece
Greece’s first female volunteers have begun military service under a newly launched program allowing women to enlist in the country’s military service system, Qazinform News Agency reports.
According to the Hellenic Army General Staff, Chief of the Hellenic Army General Staff Lieutenant General Georgios Kostidis visited the Lamia Training Center (KEYP) on June 4 as the first female recruits reported for duty alongside the 2026 B’ ESSO intake.
During the visit, the army chief observed the reception and enlistment procedures and was briefed on the implementation of the new program, which opens voluntary military service to women for the first time.
While women have long served in Greece’s armed forces through professional military careers and military academies, they had not previously been able to join the country’s military service system as volunteers.
According to Greek media reports, 72 women arrived at the training center in Lamia as part of the inaugural intake.
The program is open to women aged 18 to 25 and forms part of broader efforts to modernize Greece’s armed forces and expand opportunities for military service.
Earlier, Qazinform News Agency reported that a number of countries have introduced military service requirements for women. Norway and Sweden apply gender-neutral conscription, while Denmark will begin drafting women from 2026. Israel has required military service for women since 1949.