to Greece and Turkey. From that time on, the United States has supplied almost all materiel and maintained Army, naval, and air missions that worked closely with the British as well as the Greeks. Gradually, Americans took over more and more of the training functions from the British, until the latter phased out. However, if you have contact with the Greek National Army today, you will find that the present staff organization, supply system, and artillery organization are predominantly British. As a matter of fact, Greece has been host to military missions from Germany, France, and Great Britain at various

times in the past, and the military doctrine or influence of each of these countries is still visible.

Today, the Armed Forces of Greece are composed of the Greek National Army (GNA), the Royal Hellenic Navy (RHN), and the Royal Hellenic Air Force (RHAF). You should remember that Greece, today, has more men under arms in proportion to her population than any other country in NATO!

Universal military service is the law of Greece and all able-bodied and mentally qualified young men, on reaching 21, are subject to military service. Your Greek serviceman serves 24 months or longer, depending upon the branch of service to which he is assigned. There are very few professional noncoms, and you will find that most of the noncoms are also members of the conscript class and serve for the same period. There is a professional officer corps, but a large number of junior reserve officers from each class are a part of the active army.

Duty hours in the armed forces are similar to the working hours for the nation at large in that they provide for an after-lunch siesta. Thus, duty hours may be from 0830 to 1400 and then from 1700 to 1900.

And now for a word on the combat ability of the Greek soldier. He is an excellent soldier in anybody's army. He is rugged, tireless, extremely brave, and has a burning sense of patriotism. He takes privations and hardships uncomplainingly and accepts them as the normal life

of a soldier. He is particularly effective in mountain warfare or in policing mountain areas. The chances are that he was born and reared in the mountains. Even the Athenian is never out of sight of them.

The Greek serviceman, like the Greek civilian, is an individualist, and he feels free to argue or speak his mind on any or all subjects. He is serious about his religion.

Greek Army units invariably have their Orthodox priests and also a noncom known as a "theologian." Camps and training areas generally have attractive little churches built entirely by soldier labor.

You will find both the Greek officer and enlisted man to be courteous and hospitable. Invariably you will be offered the traditional cigarette and coffee.

As you know, Americans are higher paid than service personnel in any other country. The pay you receive is far greater than that received by the Greek of equal grade. This often creates a delicate situation. When you go out with Greek servicemen, don't forget that they can't spend as much as you can on trivialities. Don't put them in the embarrassing position of being forced to spend more than they can afford. And don't entertain and treat them on such a lavish scale that it would hurt them severely to reciprocate.

YOUR LIFE IN GREECE

"Maid of Athens, ere we part

Give, oh, give me back my heart!"

-Lord Byron

No one can promise you in advance that you are going to fall in love with a country and its people. It all depends on you. If you go looking for the good in a country and the fine qualities in its people, you will probably be happy. Certainly this is true of Greece.