My boyfriend left to join the Navy... :-(

[Naira]

Greece has a mandatory military service and yesterday was my boyfriend's turn to join the Navy...

He is generally considered lucky to join the Navy instead of the Army because things are supposed to be smoother there (but, I suppose, wherever you are, it all has to do with the people you have to co-exist with...)

So, I feel a bit sad and miss him already. We have been together for 4 1/2 years and I am used to have him in my every-day life. He is going to be away for 12 months. He will be able to return home for a while in-between, but basically he is going to be away all this time.

His first day mostly involved carrying a lot of stuff around and doing something in the camp's kitchen (I hope he didn't actually cook anything - if he did, I feel sorry for the people who had to eat it )

Anyway, I wanted to share my sadness... thanks for reading.

 

[Count Zero]

Sorry to hear it. Shouldn't there be an alternative to military service in Greece, since it's part of the EU?
In general, this sort of thing is a big waste of time, but afterwards he'll have some entertaining anecdotes to share. And maybe it's a bit more exciting in the Navy than in the Army. Will he be on a ship?

 

[Kestra]

Awww, hope you get to stay in touch with him and the 12 months goes by faster than you expected. You should both try to make the most of the experience and grow as people, and your relationship will be stronger for it when you're back together. Hugs!

 

[JustKate]

"Awww" is pretty much my reaction, too. As is "hugs!" It brings back memories of when my then-boyfreind (now my husband) left on not one but two naval cruises (he was a U.S. Marine), each 6 months or more. It was hard, but you can learn a lot about yourself and your relationship this way. And at least you guys can email each other - we had to keep in touch by letter back in those days.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Shouldn't there be an alternative to military service in Greece, since it's part of the EU?

I don't think the EU has banned that sort of thing. I'm not even sure if they could. Is it in their charter to do so?

Naira: Don't despair. I'm sure your BF can take care of himself. You can take some comfort in the fact that he's working to keep your country safe. You should be proud of him.

 

[Omnius]

Shouldn't there be an alternative to military service in Greece, since it's part of the EU?

I don't think the EU has banned that sort of thing. I'm not even sure if they could. Is it in their charter to do so?

What Count Zero means with "alternate service", is a public service. Like helping out in a social environment.

Afaik the EU does not have anylaw or guideline against conscription. Here in the Netherlands we do not use conscription, instead we have a professional army. We do however have a conscription law ready for use when we need it, for example in case the Luxemburgians decide to invade or something . In which case they'll have overrun the Belgians, so we know it's serious!

Good luck Naira! Don't know where he got the notion of the navy being the smoothest though. Here it's the Air Force that's the most leanient branch of the armed forces...

 

[RJDiogenes]

Sorry to hear that, Naira. But just think of how good it will be to be reunited during Shore Leave.

And we're all grateful to your boyfriend for helping to keep the world safe from Luxemburgians.

 

[Naira]

Will he be on a ship?

No. Greece is kinda moving towards a professional army so most of the "heavy duty" stuff is done by those people who are getting paid to do the job.

And at least you guys can email each other - we had to keep in touch by letter back in those days.

Thank God for e-mails and cellphones!

Don't know where he got the notion of the navy being the smoothest though. Here it's the Air Force that's the most leanient branch of the armed forces...

Actually, both the Air Force and the Navy are considered a better alternative than the Army here, with the Navy being considered the best. I think it has to do with the fact that a small fraction of people end up in the Navy as compared to the Army. And it sort of has some prestige due to tradition...

Sorry to hear that, Naira. But just think of how good it will be to be reunited during Shore Leave.

Not having to share my house with others would be ideal for that time...

 

[Alpha_Geek]

May he have fair winds, following seas, and return home safely.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Will he be on a ship?

No. Greece is kinda moving towards a professional army so most of the "heavy duty" stuff is done by those people who are getting paid to do the job.

I'm not following...

Actually, both the Air Force and the Navy are considered a better alternative than the Army here, with the Navy being considered the best. I think it has to do with the fact that a small fraction of people end up in the Navy as compared to the Army.

Did your BF have his choice of branch?

 

[ShamelessMcBundy]

Well good luck to him. And i'll refrain from making any navy jokes.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

^ You mean like this?

[yt]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InBXu-iY7cw[/yt]

 

[ShamelessMcBundy]

I'd like the record to show that that wasn't me.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Riiiiiiight.

 

[T'Girl]

I'm sure the Greek navy is much better than that.

 

[ShamelessMcBundy]

The ships are bigger now, at least.

I'm glad that the US doesn't have conscription. My big mouth would get me into so much trouble ...

 

[The Boy Who Cried Worf]

Greece has a mandatory military service and yesterday was my boyfriend's turn to join the Navy...

He is generally considered lucky to join the Navy instead of the Army because things are supposed to be smoother there (but, I suppose, wherever you are, it all has to do with the people you have to co-exist with...)

So, I feel a bit sad and miss him already. We have been together for 4 1/2 years and I am used to have him in my every-day life. He is going to be away for 12 months. He will be able to return home for a while in-between, but basically he is going to be away all this time.

His first day mostly involved carrying a lot of stuff around and doing something in the camp's kitchen (I hope he didn't actually cook anything - if he did, I feel sorry for the people who had to eat it )

Anyway, I wanted to share my sadness... thanks for reading.

Well you always have us.

Okay I know that's not much compensation, but at least he won't be in harm's way and you'd be surprised how fast a year can go by. Maybe you could take advantage of the more free time you will have to try and do something that you have always wanted to do. When he gets back from his experience you'll both be better rounded people and better for the experiences.

 

[Deranged Nasat]

Greece has a mandatory military service and yesterday was my boyfriend's turn to join the Navy...

He is generally considered lucky to join the Navy instead of the Army because things are supposed to be smoother there (but, I suppose, wherever you are, it all has to do with the people you have to co-exist with...)

So, I feel a bit sad and miss him already. We have been together for 4 1/2 years and I am used to have him in my every-day life. He is going to be away for 12 months. He will be able to return home for a while in-between, but basically he is going to be away all this time.

His first day mostly involved carrying a lot of stuff around and doing something in the camp's kitchen (I hope he didn't actually cook anything - if he did, I feel sorry for the people who had to eat it )

Anyway, I wanted to share my sadness... thanks for reading.

When's your time coming up?

 

[ShamelessMcBundy]

I assume the OP is a female and as far as i know, females are not drafted.

 

[RJDiogenes]

^^ I suspect that was his point.