Cabinet approves recruitment of 400 contract sergeants for national guard

The Cyprus Council of Ministers approved a proposal from the Ministry of Defense on October 8, 2026, to recruit 400 contract sergeants. These positions will be filled by current contract soldiers (SYOP) based on their ranking from an established selection process, which included written examinations. The new appointments are scheduled to take effect on November 1, 2026.

Defense Minister Vassilis Palmas announced that the initiative is part of a broader government strategy to modernize the National Guard and reform the contract soldier institution. The reform aims to improve professional career paths for military personnel, offering them better long-term prospects. Under the new regulations, the maximum rank for these contract sergeants will be that of a Chief Sergeant, falling under the A8 pay scale.

This decision is presented as the culmination of sustained efforts by the government and the President of the Republic to address personnel issues and enhance operational readiness. By upgrading the status of SYOP members, the Ministry of Defense intends to acknowledge their service while securing the force's personnel needs through structured professional advancement.