I once called up the Greek Consulate of Los Angeles to set a date for my required military service, and the employee on the other end of the line automatically assumed I was attempting to secure an exemption. She was quite surprised when I explained to her that I fully intended to complete the obligatory three months of training for Greek citizens born abroad.

During that same phone call, I was informed I did not have to complete the mandatory training if I spent less than six months per year in Greece – a loophole I already knew about – to which I reaffirmed my desire to serve.

Naturally, I am aware that some Diaspora Greeks will scoff at my supposed eagerness to “waste three months of my life” smoking cigarettes and learning how to assemble a firearm. However, I believe there is immense value in aiding Greek civil society by engaging in military, police, and even fire department service, especially as a Greek American.

This is my opinion for one of two reasons: firstly, as a Greek citizen born abroad, I do not believe I can truly repatriate myself to the land of my ancestors without serving the nation they willingly left behind generations ago. Secondly, the Greek military, police force, and other civil services have much to gain by receiving assistance from Greece’s willing and able Diaspora, which numbers over five million.

I’m not the only Greek American who feels a strong pull towards returning to Greece and satisfying my military commitments to make that goal a reality. Many other young men in my family and social circles are eager to reap the benefits of living in a traditional, high-trust society like Greece. In order to get there, we must also bear the responsibilities and duties of becoming a Greek citizen.

Many of the institutions that contribute to the success of Greek traditional society already benefit from the robust support and participation of the Diaspora: the church, the family unit, and the global Greek community at large. By contrast, in Greece, many aspects of civil society lack this same level of participation, including the military.

Many Greeks born abroad avoid military service for various reasons, especially given the lack of Greek language skills among the Diaspora. KTE believes this issue can be addressed through the establishment of English-speaking units comprised exclusively of Diaspora Greeks. The Greek military and police force would greatly benefit from English speakers filling their ranks, as it would inevitably strengthen our military partnerships with English-speaking countries. Likewise, police forces during the summer months often engage in “tourism police activity” where most of the police work requires proficient levels of English.

The Greek military needs us – consider the ever-flaring tensions with Turkey and the migrant crisis on our border, in addition to global conflicts ripping through the Middle East and Asia. It all points to a continuing need for Greece to draw support from its patriotic citizenry abroad.

Not only do I believe that military service is a duty and a responsibility for all Greek men, but I also believe it can become an excellent opportunity for cultural immersion, language improvement, and better integration into Greek society. After all, military service, although considered a headache by many native Greeks, remains a rite of passage for the men of our great country.