Newly Appointed Turkish Chief of General Staff: Selcuk Bayraktaroglu
Selçuk Bayraktaroglu, a career Turkish military officer with over four decades of service, has been appointed as the new Chief of General Staff of Turkey. Born on March 9, 1961, in Kilickaya town of Yusufeli district, Artvin province, Bayraktaroglu's career has been marked by a steady rise through education, operational command, staff duties, and senior leadership.
After graduating from Kuleli Military High School in 1977 and the Turkish Military Academy in 1981, Bayraktaroglu completed the Communications School and Training Center in 1982. He became a staff officer after graduating from the Land Forces Academy in 1993. His career progression includes serving in postings related to communications and logistics, holding the position of Chief of Basic Analysis Branch of the General Staff Intelligence Analysis and Assessment Department until 2009.
Promoted to brigadier general in 2009, Bayraktaroglu commanded the 9th Motorized Infantry Brigade from 2009 to 2011. During this period, a major explosion at an ammunition depot in Kırıkkale resulted in fatalities. From 2011 to 2013, Bayraktaroglu served at the Land Forces Logistics Command's Ammunition Command.
After rising through ranks to higher staff roles and command positions, Bayraktaroglu was appointed as the Deputy Chief of the General Staff in 2021. He served in this role until August 30, 2025, when he was appointed as the Chief of General Staff, replacing General Metin Gurak. This appointment is notable as it follows a legal dispute history with the main opposition leader, reflecting a unique aspect of Bayraktaroglu's career.
Bayraktaroglu's career also reflects recent structural changes in Turkish military promotion policies, allowing officers from various branches to rise to top ranks. His appointment as Chief of General Staff culminates a career marked by operational command, staff duties, and senior leadership.
In addition to the changes at the top, the Supreme Military Council also made several other significant decisions. As of Sept. 1, 2025, two generals will retire due to mandatory retirement, and as of Aug. 30, 43 generals and admirals will also retire due to staff reductions. Starting Aug. 30, 2025, 32 generals and admirals will be promoted to higher ranks, 61 colonels will be promoted to general and admiral, 29 generals' terms will be extended by one year, and 478 colonels' terms will be extended by two.
The Supreme Military Council also extended the terms of Naval Forces Commander Admiral Ercument Tatlioglu and Air Force Commander General Ziya Cemal Kadioglu by one year. General Metin Tokel was appointed as the new Land Forces Commander.
[1] Turkish Armed Forces [3] Turkish General Staff [5] Turkish Supreme Military Council
- Selçuk Bayraktaroglu, the new Chief of General Staff in Turkey, served under the Turkish General Staff, a significant arm of the Turkish Armed Forces.
- Prior to his appointment, Bayraktaroglu had served on the staff of the General Staff Intelligence Analysis and Assessment Department, working on policy-and-legislation and politics, including general news.
- Bayraktaroglu's career progression in the Turkish military illuminates recent changes in Turkish military promotion policies, allowing officers from various branches to rise to top ranks.
- The Supreme Military Council, a powerful body in Turkish politics that determines personnel matters within the Turkish military, has extended the terms of Admiral Ercument Tatlioglu and General Ziya Cemal Kadioglu, highlighting the Council's influence in shaping Turkish military leadership.
