Cyprus-Forum.com

[Kyrios Marios]

Hello people

Some background

Im 21yrs old, born in UK, with Greek Cypriot parents and family.


I would love to move to Cyprus and possibly get my own house there.

The things that are worrying me are

1)Job security

2)Salary

3)Military service


Because my parents are Cypriot nationals it means that I cannot stay in Cyprus unless I have done the national service.

I wouldnt mind doing it, but to be honest im not the fittest person

Has anybody (born outside Cyprus) done the service, sucessfully?

Is there a way to get around it?

Any advice?

[Hazza]

Welcome Kyrios Marios. I will be signing up to do my National Service for July. I have been warned by so many people to try and avoid doing the January call up and sign up for the July one.

As for salary, it all depends on what sort of job you want to do, are you qualified in doing anything in particular or are you not fussed?

I know somebody who is due to finish his National Service today. He said the first 40 days were very tough but after that, he has enjoyed it, learning to drive a tank, firing SMG, bazookas etc etc etc.

[Kyrios Marios]

I am in the IT industry, mainly PC support/maintenance.

Is there a demand for this?

Also how long would I have to serve in the army?

Is it a full time thing, do you get to go home at the end of the day, or do you have to stay at base?

Thanks Hazza

[Hazza]

The person I know went in on the 3rd January. He lives in Larnaca with his wife and kids (2 of them). For the first 40 days, he had to stay on base in Paphos, then after the 40 days, they transfered him to Larnaca and gave him permission to go in the morning to the basis, do a few hours then go home early evening. Every now and again, he had the weekends off.

Whether that has anything to do with his age (41) or his marrital status, I really don't know. As far as I am aware, its no more than 6 months. He was however telling me about one of the guys that came to Cyprus 3 years ago but failed to report to the Army to tell them he was living here. They went up to his work and dragged him out and told him it was time he done the army. He has to do it for 9 months because he tried to avoid it, tried to pull the wool over their eyes.

I'm extremely unfit so I just see this as an adventure and a way of getting a little fitter. Pete (the guy in the army) was telling me that the friends you make in the army, no matter what age they are, you will form a good bond with them, and will keep in touch because of all the training you went through together.

Not sure what wages you would get in IT, but I'd imagine it would be pretty decent (for Cyprus).

[insan]

Cyprus
Cyprus has compulsory military service for all Greek Cypriot men between the ages of 18 and 50. Military service lasts for 25 months. After that, ex-soldiers are considered reservists and participate in military exercises for a few days every year. Conscientious objectors can either do 33 months unarmed service in the army or 38 months community work. See official pages by the Greek Cypriot National Guard (http://www.army.gov.cy/index.php?id=76). In North Cyprus there is compulsory military service for Turkish Cypriots. The Annan Plan for Cyprus that was rejected in the 2004 reunification referendum mandated the demilitarisation of the island and the disbanding of both Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot forces.



I hope it helps, Kyrios Marios.

[Hazza]

I believe that what you have said Insan is if you were born in Cyprus or have a Cypriot passport. Because Kyrios Marios is a BBC (British Born Cypriot), he won't do the full 25 months.

[Kyrios Marios]

he won't do the full 25 months.

I hope not

If I have to do it then I have to do it. I dont mind serving for my country, ill just have to get a bit more fitter before I go

Insan, Ill have a read of the site you linked too.

Thanks guys

[Piratis]

Hazza, your friend was vacationing in the army. This is not usually the case.

Try for example spending 12 months (or more) on some "filakio" (small house) in the middle of nowhere near the dead zone without electricity (but a generator) and hot water. You get to go home twice per month and in summer with 40 degrees you have to choose between keeping your shirt on (and thus getting even hotter), or taking your shirt off and get bitten by 100 mosquitoes.

Some soldiers might even have a fight and shoot each other(doesn't happen often, but it happen in front of me. At least the shot guy managed to survive).

It can be a nice vacation, but sometimes it can be a hell also.

[Hazza]

Yes, I do realise that somebody like myself won't do anywhere near as much physical or mental training as the locals. I also know that it will be a vacation when I do it with the worst of it being a 30min run then not much else.