High Military Council Decisions Announced

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan signed the Supreme Military Council (YAŞ) decisions at the Presidential Complex, where new promotions, term extensions, and retirements across the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) took effect according to official lists published on the presidency’s website. The signing ceremony, held alongside Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz, Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler, and Chief of General Staff Orgeneral Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu, outlined sweeping personnel shifts effective August 30.

Did You Know?
Following the implementation of the latest Supreme Military Council decisions, the total number of generals and admirals in the Turkish Armed Forces rose from 328 to 334 as of August 30.

Command Changes and Major Promotions

Under the approved YAŞ decrees, 25 generals and admirals alongside 69 albay (colonels) earned promotions to higher ranks. In the Air Forces Command, Air Forces Commander General Ziya Cemal Kadıoğlu retired due to a lack of available positions, paving the way for Muharip Air Force Commander General Rafet Dalkıran to assume leadership as the new Air Forces Commander, according to presidential records. Additionally, Naval Forces Commander Admiral Ercüment Tatlıoğlu saw his active duty period extended by one year.

High-level career advancements included General Erdoğan Gür promoting to full general in the Air Forces. In the Land Forces Command, Lieutenant Generals Burhan Aktaş, Ertan İnaltekin, and Alparslan Kılınç advanced to corps general rank, while Tümamiraller Ramazan Özoğul and Erhan Aydın moved up to vice admiral in the Naval Forces, alongside Tümgeneral Kemal Turan stepping up to lieutenant general in the Air Forces.

Historic Ground-Level Milestones for Female Officers

The latest promotion cycle marked a significant institutional milestone with the elevation of female colonels to general ranks. Air Forces Colonel Özlem Karapınar and Land Forces Colonel Armağan Özel both secured promotions to brigadier general, making them the first female generals in their respective service branches, according to official communications from the Directorate of Communications.

This follows the precedent set during the 2023 YAŞ decisions, when Colonel Gökçen Fırat achieved promotion to rear admiral to become the Republic’s first female admiral. Across the broader armed forces, the council extended the active service terms of 24 generals and admirals by one year, alongside 530 colonels whose duties were prolonged for two years.

Retirements and Departures Across Branches

Administrative rosters also recorded notable retirements due to age limits and structural capacity constraints. Two generals left active service due to age limits effective September 1, while 61 generals and admirals retired due to a lack of vacant positions as of August 30.

Notable departures included outgoing Air Forces Commander General Ziya Cemal Kadıoğlu, who visited the Presidential Complex to pay a farewell call to President Erdoğan following the announcement. Official statements released by the Directorate of Communications expressed gratitude to all retiring personnel for their dedicated service, while extending well wishes to those stepping into newly assigned ranks and commands.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who attended the Supreme Military Council signing ceremony?
The signing session at the Presidential Complex included President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz, Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler, and Chief of General Staff Orgeneral Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu.

Who was appointed as the new Air Forces Commander?
General Rafet Dalkıran, previously serving as the Muharip Air Force Commander, was appointed as the Air Forces Commander following the retirement of General Ziya Cemal Kadıoğlu.

How many women achieved general rank in these decisions?
Two female officers—Air Forces Colonel Özlem Karapınar and Land Forces Colonel Armağan Özel—were promoted to brigadier general, marking them as the first female generals in their respective branches.