Just received a letter from the Consulate General of Greece in Melbourne, but it was addressed to my brother who is single with no kids. The letter stated to contact the army section and supply the following. ” Bring records of international movements since birth and all passwords, wow unreal they always know were you are and can be called into military service were-ever you live on the planet.
How did this come about, well back in 80’s we went to Greece it was a normal holiday we use to venture of every couple of years only ever for 3 months at a time. This time we decided to stay for a few years this was exciting news for us. Even tho we were Australian citizens we could come and go at our leisure, we’ll not as easy as that. My parents were born in Greece and even us kids we were born in Australia. Greece is a lovely place people were family orientated, I’ll write a post about Greece soon on another post.
We couldn’t go to school, as we had to be registered as Greek citizens, finally my parents changed all that and we could attend school, we stayed for 4 years and us kids wanted to go back to aussie land we missed it so we ventured back in 1985.
I went over back to Greece in 2005 to oversea a property we were selling it was a spur of the moment, landing in Greece it felt good being able to see all me relations once again, this is when the trouble all started. The lady in immigration told me that she is going to hold my passport, being stunned I had a bit of an argument with her. All it was is that I haven’t served me military service, I explained to her I’m only here for 2 weeks and I have a leeway of 30 days but nope she kept saying that I’ll be detained as soon as I return to immigration to fly back to Australia.
Panic panic I had my parents fax me over my kids certificates etc, I went to see a military general I think he was, luckily my uncle works high up in the office were the general was stationed, He finally was convinced with all the paperwork and that I couldn’t be detained as I had children I was still feeling scared but no questions asked I left in good spirit.
Now finally finding everything out, wished I’d known earlier, when we were Enrolled in Greece to attend schooling this made it mandatory to serve in the military later on in life. Now it’s my brothers turn he is 41, probably will never return to Greece but there still calling his name up and now sending him letters to go and see them in Melbourne.
Below are extracts of there site;
All men between the age of 19 and 45* with Greek citizenship or those designated by Greek authorities as being of Greek origin, ancestry or descent — regardless of country of birth, current citizenship, passport or domicile — must serve mandatory military service.
Exceptions are if you are unfit or have 3 children.
