Submitted to Parliament: The “Transition Map” for the Armed Forces–New Pay Scale, Career Paths

The extensive bill of the Ministry of National Defence entitled “Transition Map of the Armed Forces to the New Era”was submitted to Parliament today, paving the way for one of the deepest institutional reforms in the military in recent decades.

The bill constitutes a core pillar of the “Agenda 2030” and had been presented by the Minister of National Defence, Nikos Dendias, receiving approval from the Cabinet on 30 September 2025, under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

What changes strategically in the Armed Forces

According to the Ministry of National Defence, the aim of the bill is the transition from a fragmented and outdated model of administration to a modern, merit-based and functional system.

Key pillars:

• Upgrade of career paths for officers, NCOs and professional soldiers (EPOP)
• New pay scale linked to years of service and category of entry
• Modernisation of military education and linkage with universities
• Strengthening of border units and the reserve force
• Institutionalisation of voluntary enlistment of women

New pay scale: What is provided

Particular emphasis is placed on pay reform, with the goal of a fairer and more predictable career progression for personnel.

•  Restructuring of basic salaries and pay grades
•  Pay scales by category of entry
•  Linking remuneration to years of service and rank
•  Clear mapping of salary progression at every stage of a career

The government seeks to address the long-standing problem of early retirements and the loss of experienced personnel, enhancing stability and the attractiveness of a military career.

Career paths, ranks and promotions: Ending distortions

The bill:

• Establishes authorised posts by branch and rank
• Reshapes Promotion and Evaluation Councils
• Introduces new ranks for NCOs and professional soldiers (EPOP)
• Provides for promotions only to cover actual operational vacancies
• Regulates the transfer of ASMY graduates into the officers’ corps

Goal: less arbitrariness, greater meritocracy and genuine prospects for advancement.

Military education & universities

A major innovation is the:

• Establishment of the Inter-Branch Academic Education Command (DIDAE)
• Cooperation of SEΘA and ADISPO with universities and military academies
• Creation of postgraduate study programmes for Armed Forces personnel

Military education enters a new era of interoperability with higher education, strengthening skills and operational thinking.

Conscription, reserves and voluntary enlistment of women

The bill introduces:

• Reform of conscription legislation
• A new framework for study deferments and permanent residents abroad
• An active volunteer reserve force
• Voluntary enlistment of women
• Incentives for draft evaders until 31/12/2027

At the same time, certified training for conscripts is introduced, linked to the labour market.

Political reading

The bill represents a high-stakes political reform for the government:

•  reorganising structures decades old,
•  addressing sensitive pay issues,
•  and seeking to make the Armed Forces a modern employer and a credible pillar of deterrence.

Parliamentary debate is expected to be intense, as the reform affects thousands of service members and their families.

Source: pagenews.gr