Turkish army to hire 5,000 career soldiers

The General Staff has announced that it will recruit 5,103 contracted soldiers this year as part of its plans to increase the number of more experienced troops to participate in the fight against terrorism.

The applicants should be no older than 26 and need to have completed their military service in the last three years. They will serve as privates in the army and will be paid 1,634 Turkish Liras per month, according to a statement published on the official website of the Turkish Land Forces. The contracted soldiers will go through a 10-week special training and receive compensation when they leave the army.

The career military forces will mostly be used in the fight against the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK. They will also take charge of guarding the country’s borders, particularly near northern Iraq.

The PKK is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States and the European Union.

Soldiers who are currently under arrest or suspension will meanwhile have their wages increased after a change to the personnel law in what is being seen as a government goodwill gesture ahead of crucial military council meetings.

Hundreds of military officers currently arrested as part of the ongoing “Balyoz” (Sledgehammer) and Ergenekon coup-plot trials will benefit from the new bylaw, which will increase their wages from a half to two thirds of their full salary.

Relations between the government and the military have been tense for some time, and next month’s Supreme Military Council, or YAŞ, set to take place under the leadership of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to discuss the appointments of high-ranking military officials, is expected to result in several disagreements and crises.

Problems have emerged because 14 of the 43 generals arrested as part of the Sledgehammer case were up for promotion. According to the Turkish Armed Forces, or TSK, Personnel Law, military figures who are arrested cannot be promoted even if they are released pending trial.

Last year’s YAŞ also produced tension between the government and the military over appointing officials on trial in the Sledgehammer and Ergenekon cases.


/Hurriyet Daily News/