Is loyalty to Atatürk being punished?

Is taking an oath to Mustafa Kemal Atatürk an act that damages the reputation of the Turkish Armed Forces?

Following the graduation and flag handover ceremony at the Military Academy, young lieutenants who took an oath with their swords and shouted, "We are the soldiers of Mustafa Kemal," have been punished. Let us recall;

This oath, taken by the young lieutenants as they raised their swords into the air, went viral on social media. While the AKP initially approached the situation with a moderate stance, the course of events changed after President Erdoğan reacted by asking, "Who are you drawing those swords against?"

An investigation was launched into the young lieutenants. The news that notification had been sent to the High Disciplinary Board for the dismissal of the class valedictorian, Lieutenant Ebru Eroğlu, and the Regiment Senior, Lieutenant İzzet Talip Akarsu, hit social media like a bombshell.

Ebru Eroğlu was referred to the High Disciplinary Board under Article 20, Paragraph C of the Turkish Armed Forces Disciplinary Law.

I read the provision of the article. Paragraph C of the TSK Disciplinary Law states: "Engaging in behavior that hinders service: Engaging in attitudes and behaviors that would damage the reputation of the State and the Turkish Armed Forces, or committing acts that constitute serious crimes or disciplinary offenses..."

Is taking an oath saying, "We are the soldiers of Mustafa Kemal," damaging to the Republic of Turkey, which Mustafa Kemal Atatürk founded, and its glorious army?

Does saying "We are the soldiers of Mustafa Kemal" and taking pride in it fall under the scope of committing a serious disciplinary offense?

Does it damage the reputation of the Republic of Turkey?

In that case, will loyalty to Atatürk now be considered a crime?

Lieutenant Ebru is our source of pride. Moreover, as a woman, she has achieved the most difficult feat. In the military, which is known as a male-dominated profession, she managed to graduate first in her class at the Military Academy, surpassing the men with her intelligence, talent, ambition, and hard work. It is wrong to punish her for her heartfelt loyalty to Atatürk when she should be applauded with pride.

If loyalty to Atatürk and Atatürk's values is considered a crime,

Then write it in three columns in bold, black, shouting letters;

We are the soldiers of Mustafa Kemal.

Today, tomorrow, and forever...