Military records in Greece stand as a testament to the dedication, sacrifice, and bravery exhibited by individuals who have answered the call of duty in the Hellenic Republic. Historic military records remind citizens of the sacrifices that have been made to secure the nation’s freedom and sovereignty, as well as helping further their servicemen's and servicewomen's family history.[1] In an era of rapid change, these records provide a tangible link to the past and help foster a sense of continuity and national identity. These documents encompass a wide range of information, including enlistment details, service history, awards, promotions, and in some cases, even personal narratives of soldiers. A large percent of these military records in the archives have been digitized but are not available online to the public. These records are held by the individual branches of service: Army, Navy, or Air Force.
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How to research for Military records in Greece
The first step to take when searching for military records in Greece is to collect as much information as possible about the ancestor’s military service; this includes their full name, father’s name, date of birth, place of birth, branch of service, rank, and any other relevant details and documents. Contact the appropriate branch of the Hellenic Armed Forces to confirm the process for obtaining military records. It is very important to take into account that the official language of communication is Greek, not English. As in most members of the European Union, Privacy laws are very strict, especially when it comes to military information. Confirm whether it is possible to submit an official request through the mail, if it needs to be done in person or requesting through a surrogate is permitted.
Official contact information of the Hellenic Armed Forces
Hellenic Army
Hellenic Army General Staff
- email: str-ges-dis
army.gr - Address: H.A.G.S. PAPAGOU Headquarter Facilities, Mesogeion Ave. 227-231, Cholargos, Athens
- Zip Code: 15561
- Telephone: (+30) 210 6555911
- Web: http://army.gr/en/front-page-en
Hellenic Navy General Staff
- email: gen_pronavy.mil.gr
- Address: 229 Mesogion Ave., Cholargos, Athens
- Zip Code: 15561
- Telephone: (+30) 210 6551900
- Web: https://hellenicnavy.gr/en/
Hellenic Air Force
Hellenic Air Force General Staff
- email: dis.hafgshaf.gr
- Address: 227-231 Mesogion Avenue, Cholargos, Athens
- Zip Code: 15561
- Telephone: (+30) 210 659 3399
- Web: http://www.hellenicnavy.gr
Types of Military Records in Greece that might be available
- Service Records: These records could include information about an individual’s military service, such as enlistment date, discharge date, rank attained, units served in, deployments, and any awards or commendations received.
- Military ID Cards: Military identification cards might contain basic information about the individual’s military service, such as their rank and unit.
- Discharge Papers: Discharge papers, also known as separation documents, provide information about an individual’s release from the military service. They may include details about the type of discharge (honorable, general, etc.), length of service, and reason for separation and any benefits or entitlements they might be eligible for.
- Medals and Awards Records: Records of any medals, honors, or awards received during military service could be available, providing insight into an individual’s achievements and contributions.
- Promotion Records: If an individual has been promoted during their military career, there might be records detailing these promotions and the corresponding ranks.
- Training Records: Information about the training courses and programs an individual has completed during their military service could be included in their records.
- Medical Records: While certain medical records might be protected for privacy reasons, there could be some information about medical examinations, injuries sustained during service, and any resulting medical discharges.
- Deployment Records: For personnel who have been deployed, there might be records indicating the locations and dates of deployments.
Explore more about Military records in Greece
- Greece’s Top 5 Types of Genealogy Recordsat Legacy Family Tree Webinars
- An Introduction to Tracing your Greek Ancestry at Legacy Family Tree Webinars
- Online Records of the Hellenic Army Archives Agency
References
- ↑ Υπουργείο Εθνικής 'Αμυνας (2004). Ένοπλες Δυνάμεις