Cyprus’ Defence Minister has acknowledged that some soldiers in the National Guard face serious financial hardship and need support, while stressing that claims circulating online often include “a degree of exaggeration”.
Speaking on Sigma TV’s Protoselido programme, Vasilis Palmas said that financially vulnerable soldiers do exist within the ranks of the Cyprus National Guard, just as they do among students and university undergraduates.
“As there are financially vulnerable pupils and students, there are certainly also some vulnerable soldiers,” the minister said.
Monitoring and institutional support
Mr Palmas explained that both the Ministry of Defence and the National Guard closely monitor conscripts who lack the financial means to meet the demands of military service.
He said clear instructions have been issued to unit commanders, while cases are also handled institutionally by the National Guard’s Social Issues Committee, chaired by the Deputy Chief. Each case is assessed individually, as circumstances can vary significantly.
He cited examples such as orphaned soldiers or conscripts from families with unemployed parents and very low household incomes, noting that not all cases are comparable.
Measures beyond financial aid
According to the Defence Minister, support measures for soldiers are not limited to financial assistance or allowances, which he stressed “are not advertised and should not be advertised”.
He said support also includes practical arrangements aimed at easing daily pressures. Soldiers with social or financial difficulties may be posted to units closer to their homes, allowing for more frequent family contact. They may also be granted leave to work, enabling them to earn daily wages to cover personal expenses.
Mr Palmas underlined that outdated approaches based on hardship and excessive strain have been abandoned. “High morale is now the priority,” he said, adding that morale is a prerequisite for a well-trained and effective soldier.
Social media exaggeration
Referring to the public debate around the issue, the minister said that a degree of exaggeration has emerged primarily through social media, rather than from journalists or television programmes.
“In the digital age, everyone has the ability to say whatever they want and create impressions on an unlimited scale,” he said, stressing the need for responsible reading and evaluation of information circulating online.
Also read: Voluntary enlistment of women in the National Guard – Details and first response
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