The subject is the lieutenants again... What is this fear about?!

There are four days left until the first anniversary of the historic event.

What are we talking about?

Last year, on August 30, after the official part of the Military Academy graduation ceremony ended, the lieutenants celebrated among themselves, recited the Officer's Oath—which had been removed from the regulations—crossed their swords, and said, "We are the soldiers of Mustafa Kemal."

Everyone except for a few felt proud.

But those few practically demanded their heads.

As a result, the top-ranking graduate Ebru Eroğlu, along with Talip İzzet Akarsu, Batuhan Gazi Kılıç, Deniz Demirtaş, and Serhat Günder, were dismissed from the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) on charges of "indiscipline."

The same price was paid by the Military Academy Regiment Commander Deputy Alper Topsakal, Battalion Commander Staff Lieutenant Colonel Halit Türkoğlu, and Company Commander Major Murat Öztürk, on the grounds that they did not prevent the lieutenants.

While the administrative investigation into the lieutenants was still ongoing, officials rolled up their sleeves and pondered what measures should be taken to "prevent similar incidents from being encountered."

For example, it was requested that lieutenants be prevented from returning to the field after the parade was completed and they had left the stadium to engage in similar behavior, and that the lieutenants' use of smartphones and social media be reviewed.

Before the academic year ended, the following measures were taken for this year's graduation ceremony:

The number of family members who will attend the ceremony has been limited, and it has been decided that they will enter with a code to be provided... After the official ceremony ends, it has been forbidden for lieutenants to enter the field to meet their families and take photos... It has been reported that after the ceremony, the lieutenants will change their uniforms in a place other than the battalion, and that they must leave the school immediately after changing their uniforms.

JOINT CEREMONY AGAIN AFTER THE CORONAVIRUS

The schools closed, and the graduating lieutenants went to their hometowns until the ceremony rehearsals that began in the middle of the month.

A new decision taken before the rehearsals was announced by Okan Müderrisoğlu, the Ankara Representative of the government-aligned newspaper Sabah.

As is known, graduation ceremonies were held at the Military Academy on August 30, and at the Naval and Air Force Academies on August 31 in Istanbul. The only exception to this was in 2020, when, likely due to the coronavirus pandemic, the ceremonies for all three schools were held on August 30 in Ankara.

Okan Müderrisoğlu stated that this year's graduation ceremonies would also be held jointly in Ankara, and linked the change in plans to Erdoğan's trip to China between August 31 and September 1; however, he did not neglect to add the reminder: "Last year, the Military Academy Graduation Ceremony was the scene of an 'alternative oath and sword-crossing' demonstration, and the incident resulted in the dismissal of 5 lieutenants from the TSK." He noted the following:

"The ceremony, which is planned to be held jointly this year, will take place with the participation of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan... After the ceremony, the young lieutenants will participate in the parade and then leave the area accompanied by their commanders. Thus, a de facto situation such as holding an alternative ceremony will not be allowed."

A TRADITION WILL BE BROKEN, LIEUTENANTS WILL BE RELEASED ONTO THE STREETS

It happened just as Müderrisoğlu wrote; the lieutenants who will graduate from the Naval and Air Force Academies came to Ankara, and the ceremony rehearsals were held together.

We learned that one final measure was taken during the rehearsals, which are still ongoing.

What kind of measure, you ask?

As is known, the lieutenants have a tradition of celebrating among themselves at the school on the night of August 29, one day before the graduation ceremony.

Indeed, these celebrations were held the night before last year's graduation ceremony; the lieutenants sang songs, recited anthems, and recited the Officer's Oath, and no problems arose. However, because they recited this oath after the official graduation ceremony the next day, it was considered "indiscipline" and an investigation was opened; it seems a de facto ban has been placed on this traditional celebration as well.

Specifically, it has been decided that the ceremony rehearsals will end on August 28 and the lieutenants will leave the school until the official ceremony on August 30; frankly, it has been decided that the lieutenants will be released onto the streets so that no "incident" occurs on August 29, and they will have to fend for themselves for two days!..

Is there anyone who understands what this fear is about?!

Müyesser YILDIZ

August 26, 2025