Greece’s armed forces are facing a growing staffing crisis, as record resignations, poor recruitment results, and declining interest in military careers raise serious concerns about the future strength of the country’s defense services.
The most acute pressure is being felt in the Hellenic Navy, which recorded 276 resignations in 2025 alone—an unprecedented figure that officials describe as a historic high. The trend has alarmed military leadership, especially as departures are occurring even during the training of crews for new warships, highlighting the depth of the problem.
The staffing shortages are not limited to the navy. Similar patterns are emerging across all branches of the armed forces, including among military doctors, signaling a system-wide challenge rather than an isolated issue.
At the same time, recruitment efforts are struggling. The 2025 intake process for professional soldiers failed to meet expectations, with participation in recent selection rounds—particularly for the navy—falling below 50% of anticipated candidates.
Military academies are also showing clear signs of declining appeal. Entrance score requirements dropped sharply to historically low levels, while fewer than half of the available positions were filled in both the navy and the army. The figures point to waning interest among young people in pursuing a long-term military career.
Family attitudes appear to be reinforcing the trend. According to reports, an increasing number of parents are actively discouraging their children from joining the armed forces. Officials note that inquiries to military services now focus more on how to resign than on how to enlist.
Together, the data paint a troubling picture for Greece’s defense sector, as the armed forces struggle to attract and retain personnel at a time when operational demands and modernization programs continue to grow.
