The new recruits have donned their khaki uniforms, as the 2026 ESSO enlistment process has officially begun.

The new recruits arrive at the induction center, show their ID, their enlistment notice, are divided into groups of ten, are registered, and then proceed to the designated location where their enlistment takes place. There, they also learn which unit they will serve in. It should be noted that the process will be completed on Friday.

Our colleague, Rafaella Stavrinou, was at the “Christos Samaras” Military Camp.

The Ministry of Defense, in preparation for the enlistment of the 2026 ESSO recruits—which will take place from today, July 6, through July 10, 2026, at the Larnaca Military Training Center, Limassol, and the “Chr. Samara” Camp in Athalassa (4th TBO), and from July 9 through 10, 2026, at the Paphos Military Training Center, reminds conscripts of the following:

1. Conscripts are required to report for enlistment on the specified date and time, as indicated on the enlistment summons, wearing a military uniform (if they have received one), with their hair cut and beards shaved, and must bring the following with them:

a. Their identity card or digital ID via the “Digital Citizen” app, or any other official document issued by the Republic that includes their identity card number, which verifies their identity.

b. The conscription summons they received via email immediately after electronically submitting their conscript selection form, via the “e-enlistment” digital service or that was delivered to them by the competent Military Recruitment Office (it may also be presented in electronic form). Conscripts who, for any reason, have not received a conscription summons are requested to contact the Military Recruitment Offices immediately.

c. A medical certificate if the conscript is taking medication to treat any health issues.

d. Medical opinions or reports regarding any health issues they may have, in order to determine their ability to fulfill their military obligations, in the event that they did not appear for examination before the Medical Boards during the previous period.

e. Medical opinions or reports regarding any health issues that arose after they appeared for examination before the Medical Boards.

f. Bank account confirmation (IBAN) in the name of the conscript, in the event that the bank account details were not submitted via the “e-enlistment” or were not provided during the examination by the Medical Boards.

g. A certificate of vaccination status and blood type, provided that this information has not been submitted to the “e-enlistment” digital service or was not provided during the examination by the Medical Boards.

2. All items of clothing, footwear, and equipment that have been charged to them must be presented on the day following their enlistment at the unit where they will be assigned. If there are any issues with the sizes of uniforms, boots, etc., they must report them during enlistment to request an exchange at the Enlistment Centers.

3. Upon completion of their enlistment, they will be provided with overnight accommodations and a Travel Order for the unit to which they are assigned, with the requirement to report for duty the following day. They will be informed by their Unit Commands regarding the frequency of overnight stays, leave, and other permissions.

4. Conscripts selected to serve in units within their home garrison must report the following day using their own transportation. Those selected to serve outside their home garrison will be transported by buses of the “Free Transportation Plan for Conscripts,” provided they indicate this before departing the Enlistment Center. Relevant information regarding the exact location and departure time will be announced to them on the day of their enlistment.

5. The travel itinerary will list the phone numbers of the selected units, which they may contact for any information they may need.

6. Please note that the swearing-in ceremony is scheduled for July 24, 2026. Conscripts will receive further details regarding the location and time of the ceremony from their respective Unit Commands so they can inform their families.

The Ministry of Defense’s Press Secretary, Christos Pieris, spoke on the Alpha News program about everything we need to know.

“The 150-euro monthly allowance begins in September, plus retroactive payments for July and August. For young people serving far away—for example, from Nicosia to Stavrovouni—buses will be arranged to transport them. Before they leave, they’ll be informed of where they need to go the next day. When they receive their deployment order listing a unit that they themselves may feel, for whatever reason, they should be assigned to elsewhere, they have the right to go to that unit’s personnel office and submit a request, which will be reviewed by a social issues committee along with all other requests—which aren’t all that many. Our young people packed their belongings a month and a half ago. Perhaps they’ll need more underwear and undershirts. Starting tomorrow, they should take all their belongings with them.”