MINDSET: ABSTRACT CONCEPT OR THE KEY TO THE FUTURE?
MINDSET: ABSTRACT CONCEPT OR THE KEY TO THE FUTURE?
It is generally accepted that Greece is under threat. Internally, the combination of "demographics - immigration" is constantly worsening the national future, gradually altering social cohesion, the value system, the national identity and endangering the well-being and very existence of the Greeks. Based on the data of the wider region (demographic indicators of Africa, Asia, Europe and Greece, climate change, instability, access of immigrants, percentages of immigrants with theocratic views, etc.), the phenomenon will intensify exponentially within the 21th century with extreme consequences. The national response to both demographic and immigration issues so far is outrageously inadequate to the circumstances.
Our country is also threatened by the revisionist and occupying Turkey, which claims the national sovereignty, independence and sovereign rights of Greece and Cyprus. It is gradually implementing its expansionist threats in the Aegean, Thrace, the SE Mediterranean and Cyprus, prohibiting Greece from exercising its jurisdiction with the threat of war. Turkish coercion is effective because it is accompanied by political determination, strong armed forces (constantly being equipped in numbers and means) and an almost autonomous defense industry. Greece, after 20 years of political inertia, is belatedly trying to strengthen its armed forces (AF) and its defense industry. The political defense discontinuity and inconsistency is not only due to the economic crisis but also to persistent anti-militaristic ideals. Politically, the country appears undecided, contradictory and ultimately appeasing towards the Turkish threat. This stance is promoted and disseminated to public opinion by a number of politicians of all shades, specific think tanks and a number of academics and the media.
A basic and legitimate national pursuit is deterrence, the credibility of which depends on military capability and readiness, but mainly on the political and popular will to fight if required, a parameter for which our country does not seem convincing. The organized initiation into the sovereignty of individual rights with a deliberate absence of collective obligations is eroding national cohesive bonds. A multitude of statements by politicians, academics, intellectuals, journalists, educators, etc., public opinion leaders have elevated peace to the highest good and the general slogan in circulation is “never again war”. This selfish, utopian and immoral position undermines unborn Greeks and encourages the living generation to cede national rights as long as it does not fight. These perceptions nullify armament spending, nullify deterrence, and embolden the adversary.
The answer to the above stagnant waters focuses on the human factor and is summarized in one word in the word PHRONEM which is an attitude of life and is directly linked to the concepts of "prudence, sobriety, courage, judgment, self-confidence", excluding any enthusiastic, emotional and impulsive outburst and reaction. The philosophy that expresses the collective national soul, the quality of values and the active determined citizens is not acquired by command but is cultivated over a long period as a product of education, example, standards, attitude to life, historical collective memory and national vision. If national trials and individual sacrifices have no meaning for citizens, the philosophy collapses. When vital national interests are at stake, courage as a constituent element of philosophy does not mean reckless boldness but dignity and a free attitude towards fear and panic. Morality transforms external pressure into internal strength and characterizes nations that survive, while its lack is a serious symptom of national decline.
Nations usually deteriorate first internally and are later defeated by external enemies. An indication of deterioration is families that do not transmit to their members ethics, responsibility, values and respect for institutions and people. National education also deteriorates and corrupts when it does not transmit to the young their History (without rounding off and expediency), their language, their culture, values, standards and critical thinking. The citizen is empowered when he knows who he is, where he comes from, what his ancestors have achieved and what his nation seeks in the future. The lack of social cohesion, amorality, the lack of the rule of law, economic poverty, problematic political leaderships, decaying state institutions as well as cultural and information institutions inferior to the circumstances shrink the collective spirit and dissolve the national fabric.
In addition to the numerical, material and technological adequacy of the EDs, the combat power and combat capability of their cadres depends primarily on morale, as a concept linked to morale, discipline, professionalism, cohesion, endurance, self-confidence, will to fight, as well as a sense of mission and duty. Morale within the EDs is achieved through systematic and realistic training (physical, mental, sectoral, inter-sectoral, allied), with competent leadership (example, justice, discipline, trust), ensuring basic necessities (food, shelter, cleanliness, medical and psychological care, financial stability), modern material and means, instilling cohesion (common everyday life, difficulties and unit spirit), initiation into ED traditions and their social acceptance.
In times of crisis, the people need reliable information without embellishment. The citizen must understand the reality and the national choices in order to support them with confidence, courage and endurance. In these times, salvation lies in collective direction and not in individual escape, provided that the leaders of the state are the first to set an example. A characteristic indication of high morale is October 2023, when the Israeli airports were inseparably crowded with hundreds of flights a day from all over the world filled with thousands of Israeli young men and women arriving with enthusiasm to engage in military operations, after Hamas's terrorist attack on their homeland. This attitude is the result of the appropriate nurturing of a state with a national vision and determined for national survival.
After the above, the catalytic role of national sentiment in peace, crisis and war is understood. With a sense of national concern, our political system is called upon to proceed with its self-criticism and to honestly assess how high the sentiment of the Greeks is today. If the result is not the desired one, the political system bears responsibility and should, as a minimum sign of remorse, set the restoration of sentiment as a top priority. Practices of party polarization and selfishness, social rivalry and suspicion, corruption, unmeritocracy, impunity, injustice, lack of standards, historical amnesia, linguistic inadequacy and devaluation of military power, neutralize sentiment. The fluid international environment and national threats from abroad and within the country call for immediate transcendence regardless of political cost, within time frames, otherwise Greece will pay the final and inevitable price of its maladaptation.
December 13 2025
Vice Admiral (retd) V. Martzoukos PN
Honorary Commander of the Hellenic Navy
Vice President ELISME