Greece Establishes New Special Operations Units with Reservists

Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias has signed decisions to establish three new Special Operations units located in Attica, Central Macedonia, and northern Evros. This move is part of Greece's defense reform initiative known as Agenda 2030. Notably, two of these units will be staffed entirely by reservists, a change aimed at addressing long-standing weaknesses in the military's reserve system. Historically, many Special Forces reservists received rigorous combat training but were left unassigned after their service, awaiting potential mobilization without clear roles. This situation has been deemed ineffective for both the reservists and national defense, as the reserve force is crucial for Greece's operational readiness. The new reform is designed to ensure that each Special Forces reservist is called up on a priority basis, with a clear understanding of their assigned unit, its mission, and their specific responsibilities. In conjunction with these changes, the Ministry of National Defence has also established Reserve Retraining Centers in Avlona, Attica, and Litochoro, Pieria, as part of a broader overhaul of the reserve system. Minister Dendias emphasized the importance of reservists, stating that they serve as a vital link between the Armed Forces and Greek society, embodying the enduring ideal of a citizen army that has been central to Greece's defense for over 2,500 years.