Cyprus Conscription Military service in the National Guard of the Republic of Cyprus is mandatory for males born of a Cypriot father, members of the Greek Cypriot community. For members of other recognised religious groups such as Armenians, Roman Catholics (the Latins), and Maronites conscription is optional. Members of the Turkish Cypriot community are not conscripted into the National Guard. The minimum obligatory service period is 25 months. All male visitors to the island of military age (16 and over) who have a father of Cypriot extraction are required to obtain an exit visa from a Defence Ministry office. At least one Greek Cypriot youth argued successfully with the Ministry of Defence that the National Guard is an unconstitutional institution; he was exempted from conscription.