The relevant Review Councils have deemed non-retainable—following instructions from Minister of National Defense Nikos Dendias to the General Staffs, as part of the “Agenda 2030” initiative to streamline the number of Armed Forces personnel—all officers (formerly NCOs) serving outside organic positions (EOΘ) who have completed 35 years of active service and have full pension rights, which remain unaffected.

According to the Ministry of National Defense, this development puts an end to a paradoxical practice in which personnel who had not been promoted were instead rewarded by remaining in service outside organic positions. At the same time, it rectifies an injustice against those officers who had been retired.

The Ministry further highlights that abolishing this practice will lead to a more rational allocation of resources and personnel, while also laying the groundwork for a revised salary structure for Armed Forces personnel.

A notable example: Between 2020 and 2025, the annual total salary expenditure for officers outside organic positions exceeded €157 million.