Greece is developing a new “Citizen-Soldier” defense model designed to strengthen military mobilization by linking the armed forces more closely with reservists, civilian expertise and modern technology.
Military mobilization can no longer concern the armed forces alone, according to Greece’s Chief of Defence General Dimitrios Choupis, who outlined a broader approach to preparing the country for a major military crisis.
Choupis spoke at the IISS Prague Defence Summit on September 17. He described mobilization as a broader social process involving conscripts, reservists, technology, infrastructure and civilian expertise. The discussion formed part of a session titled “Rethinking Military Mobilisation in Europe.”
Greece’s “Citizen-Soldier” Model
Choupis presented the concept of the “Citizen-Soldier” as part of Greece’s broader “Agenda 2030” defense reforms.
Under the model he outlined, conscripts and later reservists would have a stronger connection to their place of origin or permanent residence. The idea is to create a reserve force that can respond more effectively in areas it knows well.
The model also puts greater emphasis on modern military technology. Drones, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and other digital capabilities would play a larger role in military training and specialization.
Choupis also referred to a target for 70 percent of conscripts to reach operational readiness within 14 weeks. This is a goal within the model he presented, rather than a claim about the current readiness of every conscript.
From Military Readiness to “Whole-of-Society” Defense
The proposed approach goes beyond military personnel.
Choupis stressed the importance of civilian infrastructure and expertise during a prolonged crisis. Transport networks, telecommunications, energy systems, digital government infrastructure and industrial capabilities can all affect a country’s ability to sustain military operations.
He also highlighted the potential role of civilian specialists in cybersecurity, communications, logistics and data analysis. The aim is to create stronger links between the armed forces and the specialized expertise already available in society.
The approach also reflects the wider theme of the Prague summit. The IISS session on military mobilization focused on building more resilient and deployable armed forces through “whole-of-society” approaches, with closer links between military structures and civilian society.
For Greece, the model aims to connect military service more closely with the country’s wider defense system. It also shifts attention from how many people a country can mobilize to how quickly they can train, join a unit and contribute during a prolonged crisis.
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