A LIST of senior National Guard officers has been drawn up for early retirement to allow promotion further down the ranks after a meeting of the newly formed army Retirement Council.
The Council was set up after a new law was passed allowing for the early discharge of high-ranking officers.
On Monday, the Ministers of Finance and the Interior studied a list of National Guard officers, and following recommendations from Defence Minister Socrates Hasikos, a list of those to be discharged was drawn up.
Defence Ministry spokesman, Andreas Yiorkas yesterday confirmed that the new law would affect officers holding the military ranks of Colonel and above.
“The Minister of Defence, along with other ministers, will now be able to release these high ranking officers from service before their time is up.
“The law also allows us to promote existing officers from Colonel to Brigadier and from Brigadier to General. Those promoted will receive an appropriate salary for their new rank,” he said.
Asked whether the law would adversely affect those discharged prematurely, Yiorkas revealed that officers released without fulfilling 33 years’ service would still be entitled to the usual retirement package by law.
“Officers released early will get the full retirement benefits, even if they have not served the full 33 years and eight months”.
According to Yiorkas, the reason the new legislation is designed to clear a backlog of lower ranking officers awaiting promotion.
“At the moment, there are simply too many high ranking officers stuck in the same positions,” he said.
“The new measures pave the way for lower-ranking officers deserving promotion to be given a rank upgrade. It should bring new life to the National Guard by rooting out ‘stale’ elements, ” he added.
The Council of Ministers will today confirm the names of the 27 officers chosen for early retirement and the National Guard will inform those affected.
The effects of the new law will be immediate, as those selected for discharge will have to retire within the next few days, while officers chosen for promotion will also receive an instant upgrade.
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