National Guard | |
---|---|
Εθνοφυλακή | |
Founded | 1982 (current form) |
Country | ![]() |
Allegiance | Hellenic Republic |
Branch | Hellenic Army |
Type | Land Forces |
Role | National Defence |
Part of | Hellenic Armed Forces |
Motto(s) | "Defend from enemies" |
Website | https://ethnofilaki.army.gr |
The National Guard (Greek: Εθνοφυλακή, romanized: Ethnofylakí) is part of the Hellenic Army and are voluntary corps, mainly located in areas near the frontiers, consisted of trained and armed volunteer men (and since 2019 women).[1]
Historical background
![](Https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ad/Greek_National_Guard_uniforms%2C_1863.jpg/160px-Greek_National_Guard_uniforms%2C_1863.jpg)
The first unit in the Greek army with the name of "National Guard" was established in 1843 during the early reign of Otto of Greece. It was a voluntary unit, and consisted of men 18-24 years old.[2]
Much later, in 1948, during the Greek Civil War were established the National Guard Defence Battalions (TEA), with a strongly anticommunist orientation. Their mission was supporting the regular Hellenic Army in national defence and internal security.
Present form
Due to their hard-line right-wing orientation, the TEA were disestablished in 1982 by the government of Andreas Papandreou, and replaced with the National Guard.
References
- ^ Εθνοφύλακες: Οι ένοπλοι κάτοικοι των συνόρων eleftheria.gr
- ^ Δυνάμεις εθνοφυλακής