Turkish President Erdogan designates a new commander for the Army's highest rank, initiated by a military restructuring.
News Article: Major Military Reshuffle Announced in Turkey
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has announced significant changes in Turkey's military leadership following the Supreme Military Council (YAŞ) meeting on August 5, 2025. The most notable change is the appointment of General Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu as the new Chief of General Staff, replacing General Metin Gürak who retired due to a lack of available positions [1][3][5].
Bayraktaroğlu, previously the Commander of the Land Forces since August 2023, will serve a four-year term as the Chief of General Staff [1][3][5]. In his place, General Metin Tokel has been appointed as the new Land Forces Commander [3].
The terms of Naval Forces Commander Admiral Ercüment Tatlıoğlu and Air Forces Commander General Ziya Cemal Kadıoğlu have been extended by one year, effective August 30, 2025 [3].
The military reshuffle also includes promotions and extensions. A total of 93 officers have been promoted: 32 generals and admirals have been promoted to higher ranks, 61 colonels have been elevated to general and admiral positions, and 29 generals have received one-year service extensions, while 478 colonels have received two-year extensions [3].
Among the notable promotions, Lieutenant General Bahtiyar Ersay and Lieutenant General Rafet Dalkıran have been elevated to full general rank [3].
The council also retired 45 generals and admirals, with retirements effective August 30 and September 1. Some of these retirements were due to age limits, while others were due to a lack of available positions [3].
President Erdoğan emphasized that these leadership changes and military promotions are part of historic steps aimed at safeguarding Turkey's future across security, democracy, economy, technology, defense industry, and foreign policy, aligning with his vision for the "Century of Türkiye" [2][5].
Notably, General Bayraktaroğlu, who filed a defamation lawsuit earlier in 2025 against the main opposition leader over criticism of military expulsions, was a senior military figure with a notable legal and military profile before his appointment [1].
Additionally, Major Generals Selcuk Aygun and Orhan Gurdal have received one-year extensions from Air Forces Command [3]. The Naval Forces Command has promoted 12 colonels to rear admiral [3].
President Erdoğan signed the Supreme Military Council (YAS) decisions on August 30 [4]. The total number of generals and admirals will increase to 332 as of Aug. 30 [3].
- The new Chief of General Staff in Turkey is General Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu, who previously served as the Commander of the Land Forces.
- President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan appointed General Metin Tokel as the new Land Forces Commander, replacing General Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu.
- The terms of Admiral Ercüment Tatlıoğlu as Naval Forces Commander and General Ziya Cemal Kadıoğlu as Air Forces Commander have been extended by one year.
- Notable promotions within the military include Lieutenant Generals Bahtiyar Ersay and Rafet Dalkıran being elevated to full general rank and Major Generals Selcuk Aygun and Orhan Gurdal receiving one-year extensions from Air Forces Command.
