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 Friday, 20th of June 2008 at 11.00. The Service Swords will be awarded to the graduates by the B’ Deputy Chief /HNDGS Lieutenant General (HAF) Athanasios Karamitsos.

The graduates of the current academic year of the academy are fifteen (15) Greek Men and Women. More specifically, the 13 newly sworn-in Officers of the Medical Corps, are to be allocated to the three (3) Services of the Armed Forces as follows: 8 officers to the Army (1 doctor, 4 dentists, 2 veterinarians, and 1 pharmacist), 1 officer to the Navy (doctor) and 4 officers to the Air Force (1 doctor and 3 dentists). Additionally, 1 Air Force Lieutenant to the Finance Corps and 1 Lieutenant to the Joint Recruiting Corps. The total number of women graduating the current academic year of the academy amounts to 4. Concluding, one foreign officer from Chad graduates as a Pharmacist.

The Academy was established in Athens, in 1926, and operated until 1940 under the title: «Military Medical School». The graduates of the time were sent to the front line providing support to the Greek Soldiers and many of them sacrificed themselves falling in the field of honour for their 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 to Corps Officers Military Academy with the addition of Magistracy, Recruiting and Finance Faculties. The Magistracy Faculty ceased to operate in 1986.

Since 1989, women are 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, so as to prepare adequately skilled officers. The Corps Officers Military Academy graduates are allocated to staff the three Services of the Armed Forces and the Joint 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, subordinate to the Hellenic National Defence General Staff.

Media representatives are invited to cover the ceremony.

POC, Corps Officers Military Academy Public Affairs Office Mrs. Sfakianakou Kalliopi, (tel. 2310-962102).

 

                                 LTC Char. Laloussis
                                 HNDGS Spokesman