It is with great pleasure that I am present here with you today, at the ceremony of awarding the green beret, with which the trainee soldiers of the 2022 ESSO are now officially integrated into the elite Commando Forces of the National Guard.
Today's ceremony is dedicated to you.
I am convinced that you feel great pride that from today you will officially wear the green beret of the legendary commandos. You are to be congratulated on your choice to follow this difficult and demanding path.
Congratulations are also due to your parents and families, who raised and educated you with principles, values and ideals. I am sure they feel proud of you, as we all do.
Today's ceremony is the culmination of a long and arduous effort, during which you have acquired the "Ranger spirit", which is based first and foremost on consistency and precision in the execution of the mission under any circumstances.
You know very well that your training will not end here.
You know very well that your training will not end here. After all, the constant effort to improve one's fitness and abilities is a one-way street if we seek maximum operational readiness in elite units such as yours.
I therefore urge you, with the same determination and vigour, to continue to train under the guidance of your superiors until the end of your term of service.
I would like, here, to congratulate the Commander of the Commando Command, the Commander of the Training Centre and the instructors, who have spared no effort and time and have shown excellent professionalism and taken care of your excellent training.
Young cruisers,
Always remember that your valiant predecessors, in Lorovouno and Koutsoventi, in St. Hilarion and White Muttis, in Petromuthia, in Height 1023, in Panagra and in St. George of Kyrenia, by demonstrating unparalleled heroism, honoured the sacred oath they took. They put into practice the "Tolmon Nika" that they wore on their uniforms and wrote their names in gold letters on the deltas of history.
The history of Hellenism, but also modern reality teaches us that the real advantage lies not so much in numbers and sizes, but in the quality of the human potential and its flourishing morale.
Our National Guard personnel constantly demonstrate their quality, consistency, systematicity, responsibility and professionalism.
We can see it in the training sessions that take place daily, in the large-scale exercises that we conduct with the participation of other advanced Armed Forces, in Cyprus and abroad, but also in the performance of the personnel in international competitions and training schools.
Ladies and gentlemen,
The National Guard remains committed to the duty to which it has committed itself, as the protector of the integrity of our homeland. Spearheading this effort are the Rangers, who through hard and persistent training are forging and steeling deep within themselves the sacred code of honor and values by which they will act as force multipliers if required.
"Not how many, but where" asked the Spartan warriors on their march to battle and the conquest of virtue.
From our side, the permanent and unchanging goal remains the qualitative upgrade of the National Guard's capabilities and its reinforcement with modern means and equipment, so that it can continue to be a reliable deterrent and defensive force.
From our side, the permanent and unchanging goal remains the qualitative upgrade of the National Guard's capabilities and its reinforcement with modern means and equipment, so that it can continue to be a reliable deterrent and defensive force.
In this direction, we are working quietly and methodically, on the one hand to ensure technical and logistical support for the maintenance of our existing equipment, and on the other hand to implement the equipment programme, which has been drawn up in cooperation with the General Staff.
As far as the Commando Forces are concerned, we have gradually proceeded with the replacement and modernisation of the armament in use, while the procurement of modern pistols and smoothbore rifles is planned for the near future.
It is also worth mentioning that for the first time we have signed an agreement for the broad purchase of comprehensive modern personal protective equipment and combatant survival equipment for both the raiders and all National Guard personnel.
It should be noted that the same protective equipment is already used by the Israel Defense Forces and the United Kingdom Armed Forces.
It should be noted that the same protective equipment is already used by the Israel Defense Forces and the United Kingdom Armed Forces.
It should be noted that the same protective equipment is already used by the Israel Defense Forces and the United Kingdom Armed Forces.
In the first stage, the needs of the active force will be met, and subsequently those of the reserve and national guard.
Young commandos,
We are proud of you because you have chosen the path of service and duty.
Because, as Homer said, you have proven yourselves to be superior to others, because you are courageous and determined to win, whenever required.
I am confident that you will perform your duties to the full and live up to our expectations. Be assured that your service to your country in arms will one day be a source of pride to your children and grandchildren.
I congratulate you again on your success and wish you all health, strength and a good remainder of your term of service.
(ΕΠ/ΣΧ)
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