According to the Greek constitution, as amended in 1986, the president of the republic is the supreme commander of the armed forces, but his powers are largely symbolic. Military command decisions are made by the prime minister and the government. The Government Council for Foreign Policy and National Defense, which convenes once a year and in emergency conditions, appoints the chief of the Hellenic National Defense General Staff (English acronym HNDGS) and the chiefs of staff of the three military branches: the Hellenic Army, Hellenic Navy, and Hellenic Air Force. The Joint Chiefs of Staff Council is an advisory board to the chief of the HNDGS.

The chief of the HNDGS is the supreme military commander of the armed forces in times of crisis or war. In peacetime, the chiefs of staff of the three branches report directly to the minister of defense (see fig. 12). The post of chief of the HNDGS alternates every two years on an almost regular basis among officers of the three branches. The branch chiefs of staff serve two-year terms, although the term can be extended if deemed necessary.

Data as of December 1994

NOTE: The information regarding Greece on this page is re-published from The Library of Congress Country Studies and the CIA World Factbook. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Greece The Command Structure information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Greece The Command Structure should be addressed to the Library of Congress and the CIA.