Home > Current Affairs News > The 'only difference' in the defenses of the lieutenants and the commanders: A significant timing

The 'only difference' in the defenses of the lieutenants and the commanders: A significant timing

After the official part of the Military Academy graduation ceremony on August 30, five lieutenants gathered to cross their swords, recite the Officer's Oath, and declare, "We are the soldiers of Mustafa Kemal." Following this, three commanders at the school were also referred to the High Disciplinary Board for dismissal from the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK). Journalist and 12punto columnist Müyesser Yıldız pointed to the 'significant timing' in the statements of both the lieutenants and the commanders.

Müyesser Yıldız

Müyesser YILDIZ / 12punto

According to the consecutive statements made by the Ministry of National Defense, the "offense" of the lieutenants was not crossing their swords, reciting the Officer's Oath, or saying "We are the soldiers of Mustafa Kemal," but rather engaging in "indiscipline."

DATE SET FOR COMMANDERS' DEFENSE

The date has been set for the three commanders, who face dismissal from the TSK on charges of failing to prevent the lieutenants from crossing their swords and reciting the Officer's Oath and saying "We are the soldiers of Mustafa Kemal" after the Military Academy graduation ceremony, to present their defense before the High Disciplinary Board (YDK).

The commanders' defense will be heard on January 16 at 14:00, just like the lieutenants'. The only difference is that the lieutenants will present their defense before the Land Forces Command High Disciplinary Board, while the commanders will do so before the Ministry of National Defense High Disciplinary Board.

The commanders facing dismissal are the then-Acting Regiment Commander Alper Topsakal, Battalion Commander Halit Türkoğlu, and Company Commander Murat Öztürk.

WHAT IS THE COMMANDERS' OFFENSE?

Journalist and 12punto columnist Müyesser Yıldız described the accusations against the commanders in her column dated November 24 as follows:

Let's come to the "offense" of the commanders.

In fact, some had targeted the "Team-Company-Battalion-Regiment Commanders" from the very beginning. With the referral of Acting Regiment Commander Alper Topsakal, Battalion Commander Halit Türkoğlu, and Company Commander Murat Öztürk to the High Disciplinary Board, they have largely achieved this goal.

For example, Company Commander Murat Öztürk was first declared the scapegoat. It was claimed that he requested his retirement after his name, written as "M," was targeted.

Later, it emerged that Major Murat Öztürk had notified the TSK months in advance that he would be leaving as of August 30 due to family reasons, and had even established his business in civilian life.

The latest situation regarding Major Öztürk is as follows:

He submitted his resignation from the TSK on August 30 and went on leave. When the investigation began, he was also summoned to Ankara, and his defense was taken. Meanwhile, although 3 months had passed, his resignation was not processed; instead, he was referred to the YDK. Presumably, the message intended was, "You cannot resign; we will dismiss you."

Before coming to the situation of the other names referred to the YDK, Acting Regiment Commander Alper Topsakal and especially Battalion Commander Halit Türkoğlu, let us state the following:

The individual who had been serving as a commander at the Military Academy for 5 years was promoted and left during the August Supreme Military Council (YAŞ) meeting held before the ceremony. The Regiment Commander changed, and a new one arrived; however, because he was new, he was outside the graduation ceremony program. Instead, Acting Regiment Commander Topsakal took part in the ceremony program. Battalion Commander Halit Türkoğlu had only been at the school for 17 days. Company Commander Murat Öztürk had already decided to leave months ago. The Dean's Office, not being involved with the graduation ceremony, did not interfere in anything.

Is there not a massive management void here? Think about it, three important commanders changed at the same time; the bill is being footed by the newly arrived acting officers. Let us explain with the example of the Gendarmerie and Coast Guard Academy graduation ceremony. At this academy, commanders—even if they are promoted or reassigned—leave their posts only after conducting that year's graduation ceremony. Consequently, such confusion does not occur during the transition period.