It is announced that, the Oath taking Ceremony and Service Sword Award to the   graduate Officers of the Medical, Finance and Recruiting Corps, of the Corps Officers Military Academy, in Thessaloniki, will take place on the premises of the Institution on Thursday, 15 Nov. 2007 at 10.30. The swords will be awarded to the graduates by the Minister of National Defence Mr. Evangelos Meimarakis in the presence of the  B’ Deputy Chief of the Hellenic National Defense General Staff, Lt. General (HAF) Michael Papadopoulos.

The graduates of the current academic year are 113 Greek men and women Officers. More specifically 68 newly sworn-in Officers of the Medical Corps, are to be allocated to the three Services of the Armed Forces  as follows: 27 to the Army (23 doctors,3 dentists, and 1 pharmacist ), 13 to the Navy (12 doctors and 1 pharmacist) and 28 to the Air Force (22 doctors, 4 dentists and 2 pharmacist) , 42 Finance Corps Officers, allocated as follows: 14 to the Army, 19 to the Navy and 9 Officers to the Air Force, and also 3 graduating Recruiting Lieutenants to the Recruiting Corps. Concluding 1 Cypriot pharmacist officer and two foreign Officers (1 doctor from Zimbabwe and 1 female Finance Officer from Albania) graduated the Academy.The number of women who graduated the Academy amounts to 39, including the Albanian Finance Corps Officer.

The Academy was established in Athens, in 1926, and operated until 1940 as «Military Medical School». The graduates of the time were sent to the front lines providing support to the Greek Soldiers and many of them sacrificed themselves for our country.
 
In 1947, the School was relocated in Thessaloniki, initially at the German School edifice and later on at its present location. In 1953, the Medical, Veterinarian, Dental and Pharmacy Faculties were gradually introduced.
 
In 1970, the Military Medical School was re-named at Corps Officers Military Academy with the addition of Finance, Recruiting and Magistracy Faculties. The latter ceased to operate in 1986.
 
Since 1989, women were allowed to enter the Academy. In 2005, the Psychology Faculty Section was also introduced. All students attend the respective faculty in the Aristotelian University of Thessaloniki.

The mission of the Academy is to provide scientific and Military education and skills, so as to prepare adequately skilled Officers. The Corps Officers Military Academy graduates are allocated to the three Services of the Armed Forces and the common Recruiting Corps, while graduating Officers deriving from the Medical Faculty are also allocated to the Hellenic Police Force.
            
The Corps Officers Military Academy is an independent Joint Formation, at Brigade level and is subordinated to the Hellenic National Defence General Staff.
    
Media representatives are invited to cover the ceremony. POC, Corps Officers Military Academy Public Affairs Office, Mrs. Sfakianou  Kalliopi, (tel. 2310-962102).

                                    LTC Charalambos  Laloussis
                                         HNDGS Spokesman