Following consultation with the Ministry of Finance, the decision to increase the number of promotion slots for Contracted Privates (SYOP) to Contracted Non-Commissioned Officers (SYP), from the 250 initially announced to 400, was announced by Defense Minister Vasilis Palmas upon receiving from the Minister of Education, Athletics, and Youth, Athina Kyriakidou, the results of the written exams for the permanent appointment of the first Contracted Privates (SYOP) to Contracted Non-Commissioned Officers (SYP).

In her remarks at the ceremony to announce the results, held at the Ministry of Defense, in the presence of the Chair and members of the Parliamentary Committee on Defense and the Commander of the National Guard (EF), Lieutenant General Emmanouil Theodorou, the Minister of Defense stated that the decision to increase promotion slots falls within the Ministry of Defense’s approved budgetary framework.

He added that the decision was deemed necessary, taking into account, first, as he said, the increased interest among non-commissioned officers in participating in the promotion examination process, second, the increased need for non-commissioned officer personnel—due in part to the programs currently underway under the SAFE mechanism — and third, and most importantly, the state’s practical recognition of the significant contribution of the SYOPs to enhancing the combat capability and operational readiness of the National Guard.”

“Bearing in mind that the National Guard’s personnel are the spearhead and the cornerstone of the National Guard, I assure you that we will continue to make every possible effort to strengthen and support the personnel, address the challenges they face, and continuously improve the conditions of service and the overall operational framework of the armed forces,” he emphasized.

Regarding the SYOP candidates who took the exams and “were not successful,” the Minister of Defense stressed that “they should not lose their self-confidence and will have the opportunity, whenever permanent positions are announced, to try again to secure a position as a SYP.”

“Therefore, today was the first opportunity given to these people, and other opportunities will follow, allowing them the chance to secure permanent positions,” he noted.

Elaborating further in response to a question, Mr. Palmas said that initially it was announced there would be 250 positions for permanent employment, “but in cooperation and coordination with the Ministry of Finance, we were able to increase that number to 400.”

He added that in these exams, the top 400 candidates based on their scores will be eligible for permanent status and will have the opportunity, until the age of 57, to serve in the National Guard with the rank of Sergeant, advancing up to the rank of Master Sergeant.

Mr. Palmas thanked the Minister of Education for the excellent cooperation in organizing and conducting the written exams.

“Through the Ministry of Education’s Examination Service, our collaboration was crucial to the smooth and fair conduct of the process, ensuring high levels of reliability and transparency,” he added.

Mr. Palmas expressed satisfaction with the widespread interest shown by the SYOPs in this process, a fact that demonstrates, as he said, “and their commitment to both personal growth and the overall advancement of the institution.”

He also noted that the Ministry of Defense, “recognizing the significant contribution of the SYOP institution to strengthening the combat capability and operational readiness of the National Guard, has, over the past two years, developed numerous proposals and consulted with all relevant agencies to substantially upgrade the institution on many levels.”

He added that, in this context, starting in 2024, significant steps have been taken to improve the employment conditions of SYOP personnel.

“Proposals were submitted and approved to revise their pay scale from A1 to A2 and grant the corresponding annual pay increase, as well as to provide a monthly service allowance.

Furthermore, Mr. Palmas said that following a proposal by the Ministry of Defense, the House of Representatives approved raising the mandatory retirement age under the Employment Contract from 42 to 57 and increasing the specialmonthly allowance from 100 euros to 150 euros for all personnel, and from 200 euros to 250 euros for every SYOP serving in special operations forces, commando units, diving teams, disaster response teams, in the bomb disposal and explosive ordnance disposal units, as well as for nurses and engineering equipment operators.

When asked when new vacancies would become available, Mr. Palmas said that once vacancies arise from retirements and discharges and “a sufficient number of vacancies, then we will announce, in cooperation with the Ministry of Education, the positions to provide an opportunity for further permanent appointments of staff.”

Furthermore, in her remarks at the ceremony, the Minister of Education said that the Ministry’s contribution to this process was the organization and administration of the exams, adding that the exams for the promotion of SYOP staff “were conducted in accordance with the standards of the pan-Cypriot examinations, in order to ensure their integrity.”

Ms. Kyriakidou expressed satisfaction that “without any major problems,” the Ministry of Education had completed the process and that “the results are being duly submitted to the Minister of Defense today.”

She noted that the exam consisted of two parts: one on general aptitude and the other on specialized military topics.

“The entire collaboration was excellent,” said the Minister of Education, who thanked both the Ministry of Defense for its cooperation and all those who contributed to the effort, while also assuring that the Ministry of Education will remain at the disposal of the Ministry of Defense for future collaborations.

The Chairman of the Parliament’s Defense Committee and former Minister of Defense, Charalambos Petridis, said that regarding the SYOP program, which began in 2016, “it is quite appropriate today to transition to Contracted Non-Commissioned Officers because this provides a future not only for new SYOPs, who may be recruited in the coming years, but also for current ones.”

He noted that the Minister of Defense has already announced that “there will be far more than 250 positions,” adding that “within the framework of the National Guard’s equipment program and the SAFE program—which we see moving forward at a rapid pace—personnel are certainly a necessity.”

“The proposal—which we have discussed in the past—to transition SYOPs into Contract Non-Commissioned Officers was also very sound, so as to ensure both job security and the appropriate training in the weapon systems the country needs,” he concluded.

Finally, in a brief address, the Chief of the National Guard stated that the entire process was conducted with complete transparency, in close cooperation with the Ministry of Education’s Examination Service, and wished “good luck to the new Contracted Non-Commissioned Officers.”

Referring to the remaining SYOP members, Mr. Theodorou said that “we embrace them with love” and assured them that “they form the backbone of the National Guard, and we will continue our efforts to improve their working conditions and career advancement.”

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Source: KYPE