“Kindergarten Had Better Marching”: Acropolis Military Video Sparks Outrage

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A video from the Acropolis in Athens has sparked widespread reactions on social media after a military detail heading towards the site of the Greek flag’s lowering appeared to march without a coordinated pace and with significant gaps between soldiers.

The footage was recorded on Saturday afternoon at the Acropolis, in front of dozens of Greek and international visitors. After users shared the video online, several criticised the soldiers’ overall appearance and preparation.

The military detail appears in camouflage uniforms, berets and carrying weapons. The soldiers do not maintain the same pace, while the distances between them vary considerably.

Many users considered the appearance inconsistent with the importance of the duty and the symbolism of the location.

The footage circulated widely on X and other social media platforms, prompting questions about the training and preparation of the particular military detail.

However, the short video does not establish with certainty whether the soldiers had already entered the formal part of the ceremony or were simply moving towards the flagpole.

That distinction matters because the formation and marching pace of a military detail while moving towards a ceremonial position can differ from the procedures followed once the official ceremony begins.

Nevertheless, the appearance of the group in front of Acropolis visitors was enough to trigger a wave of critical and, in some cases, sarcastic comments.

“Kindergarten Had Better Marching”

Most of the online criticism focused on the lack of a coordinated pace, the uneven distances between soldiers and the group’s overall appearance.

Some users described the march as resembling a “disbanded demonstration,” while others wrote, “We marched better in kindergarten.”

Others called the incident an “international embarrassment”, pointing to the fact that it occurred at one of the world’s most visited archaeological sites.

One user directly addressed Defence Minister Nikos Dendias, writing: “This image needs to be fixed yesterday.”

Other users called for an examination of whether the prescribed procedures had been followed, which military unit had undertaken the duty and who had responsibility for training and supervising the personnel.

Some comments, however, also crossed into personal insults and disparaging remarks directed at the soldiers themselves.

Who Handles the Acropolis Flag Ceremony?

The raising and lowering of the Greek flag at the Acropolis carries particular national and historical significance. Different military units undertake the ceremonial duty depending on the day.

On Sundays and official public holidays, the Presidential Guard performs the duty. The country’s senior ceremonial guard operates under the Military Office of the Presidency of the Republic and consists of volunteer infantry personnel.

The ceremony takes on an even more formal character during national commemorations. On March 25, for example, the flag-lowering ceremony takes place at a designated time and includes a 21-gun salute from the Lycabettus artillery position.

On other days, when the Presidential Guard does not perform the duty, personnel from the Hellenic Army handle the daily raising and lowering of the flag.

No Official Response So Far

The video has also prompted questions about which military unit appears in the footage and whether the group had already formed up for the flag-lowering ceremony or was simply moving towards the location.

No official response has so far been issued regarding the footage.

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