Trusted sources of the “Eleftheros Tipos” newspaper say that the plan was voted for at Ministry Council session, and the application will start next year. The huge exodus of males who are in an age when they can and do delay their army service made the employees of the ministry to make a new plan, which will drag all Greek men to the barrack and will make the army service mandatory as the constitution says.

The military and civil administration of the army decided to allow the delay of army service only until the age of 25 years old of those capable to enroll. The Pentagon has decided, based on a done research, that the ages between 19-20 and 24-25 are best suitable for army service. The scenario where 19 year olds can be summoned was rejected after the emotional disagreement from the parties and the political youth formations.

The 24-25 year olds will be able to apply for university for more than one year and will be allowed to graduate. A delay due to specializing or going for a Master degree will not be allowed. This was decided because going for such degrees will lead the graduate closer to the job market and this will make it harder for them to be mobilized to serve in the army. Lowering the serving period to 9 months goes only for the infantrymen and not for the marines or air-force. This brings back the law provided for in 2001, where marines and pilots serve under better conditions, but their service is 2 months longer than the one of the infantrymen.

The application of the new bill is expected partly to come in effect in 2009 with the decrease of the service to 10 months or to completely start in 2010.