The choice: social representation and the formation of the Hellenic Armed Forces

Abstract

As societies of the developed part of the world evolved, new trends of military staffing have been coming up. The basic trend that used to exist globally till the end of WW-II was the conscription system, through which all citizens were obliged to serve. During the 20th century, when globalization became the new world concept, when terrorist attacks devaluated armies, when people became wealthier and more independent; military staffing, as an issue closely related to the society, was also affected. The new trend nowadays is towards the All Volunteer Force. The present military conscription system of Greece is constituted by two types of soldiers: the draft soldiers and the volunteers. The recent trend in the same country is towards the All Volunteer Force. Nevertheless, that trend has raised many arguments about the effect of lack of Social Representation, which is directly connected to Military Efficiency. Our purpose is to cover an aspect of that dilemma: The Social Representation factor in the structure of the Hellenic Military. As our compass we will use USA and other countries' examples, along with the Military Representation Model created by Mark J. Eitelberg. Our destination is the military effectiveness of the Hellenic Armed Forces.