Cyprus-Forum.com

[Alex L]

Continuing my long-running quest to work out whether I should relocate to Cyprus with my family, I thought I would break down my many questions into separate threads. I thought I would start off with the rather unpleasant prospect of square-bashing.

I'm 37, the son of a Greek Cypriot and therefore eligible for military service for 13 more years. I think I have estbalished that if I took up residency in Cyprus, I would have to serve three months.

Are there any ways of buying out of this, as is the case in N Cyprus?

Has anyone actually experienced military service, particularly older people not born on the island? What was it like?

I assume my son would also be eligible when he's 18, in 12 years time. How do young people avoid military service now?

(I should add that I would have no problem with doing community service of some kind, but am not in favour of military service - particularly having done something similar when I was younger).

Many thanks for the replies received so far, and for any further information or views.

[Piratis]

Are there any ways of buying out of this, as is the case in N Cyprus?

No. If such thing existed and the price was low then almost nobody would serve. We can not afford an army made exclusively by professionals. If the price was high, then only poor people would serve which is unfair.

Has anyone actually experienced military service, particularly older people not born on the island? What was it like?

Most of us did, and it obviously sucked However I know older people that came from abroad like you and what they did had nothing to do with what we did. Those 3 months are not a big deal really.

I assume my son would also be eligible when he's 18, in 12 years time. How do young people avoid military service now?

To avoid the military service you have to be what we call I5 (Ikanotita 5 = Ability 5). This means you are unable to serve due to physical or mental problems. So if you are healthy, your only way out is to play crazy, play it good, and be willing to be treated as mentally sick at any point in the future.
I believe that now they might vote a new law where people that don't want to serve in the army will do some other kind of service, but for a period longer than the military service.

Personally I don't think you should worry much. the 3 months that you will serve is just going to be a bit inconvenient and nothing more.
As far as your son goes, the army becomes "softer" year by year, so in 12 years it will be more like college than anything else.

[Alex L]

Hi Piratis, and many thanks for your reply - you have set my mind at rest to a large extent, although I am quite taken by the idea of claiming "I5" status for the rest of my life . Maybe I wouldn't have to go to work either.

[sk]

alex,dont worry about the army especially if u dont speak greek!!!u will be lets say totally useless for them if u dont speak greek!!!by the way,where u born in cyprus or england?if u were born in england and ur son was also born in england i dont think they will ask from him to go to the army(although i am not sure,but he is considered third generation cypriot living abroad and i dont think they will ask for him)........the way i see it is only u who has to go to the army no matter where u were born!!!!but see it as 3 months where u will be given the chance to do public relations for free!!!!
why dont u call the ministry of defense and ask them directly ur questions?tell them that u r thinking of moving to cyprus and u would like to ask some questions!!!!at least u will learn the truth not assume things as we do here!!!

[Alex L]

You're absolutely right sk, I should check it out officially, though I always think you get more realistic answers from asking real people. I was born in Wolverhampton, UK, as it happens.

Thanks for help putting my mind at rest.

[Hazza]

I too was worried about doing my National Service. I had wanted to relocate to Cyprus for years but the Army issue was always what stopped me coming over.

About this time last year I thought stuff it, its only 3 months so I came over in August. I was told that there are 2 drafts into the army, one in January and one in July. I was also told to avoid the January one and do all I can to do the July one.

I will be signing for the army within the next few weeks. I know somebody doing their service now and they are having a ball of a time. He is 40 years old and loving it, loving the fact that he has driven a tank, fired machine guns and other weapons.