Can anybody tell me something about serving Army in Turkey how long it last, on what priciples, is it possible to pay and not join Army, is it true that people with University servs less than others, that people with profession work the same in Army? I have many different, sometimes contradictory iformations from different people, I don't know whom to believe.
Thanks in advance.

hi..you asked about serving army in Turkey..
if you have university degree you can do your serving 5 months or 12 months..if you want to do it for 5 months you cant get any pension..if you want to do it 12 months you can get pension approximately 1000 ytl for each month(3 months later)..but sometimes our government decides to serve that we can say 'bedelli askerlik' you need to pay approximately 5500 euro I suppose so you can do this service only 21 days..its very short time but it worths,be sure..

The main point about military obligation in Turkia is that you must do it whereever they send you and you dont have the option not to do it. If you are disabled or permanently ill a military hospital needs to approve your situation so practically there is no way to cheat.

Normally it will take 15 months.
If you have a university degree of an education of 4 years or more you will do either a long period of 12 months or a short period of 6 months. With the short period you are almost like others without a degree with the exception that you are a 'sergeant'. You will eat at the same places, you will sleep at the same places and you wont be able to out anytime but weekends or when you get permission.
The long period is much easier and much more comfortable. You get paid and the sallary is good enough. I think they pay you more than a teacher or a doctor would earn in civil life when employed my the government. Also its like a job for you and when time is up you go home in the evening.

The 5112 Euro thing is different. This is only for male Turkish citizenz who are living abroad permanently. For instance for the Turkish workers in Germany. They pay the money and do the military thing in 21 days. This option isnt available for Turkish citizens who are not living permanently in another country.

Sometimes, each 10 years or so the government might decide for a shorter and paid service. This will be available for all who can pay. Again the service will be only 21 days but this shouldnt be mixed with the other short one.
It will cost much more than 5000 Euro. Probably it will cost 4 or 5 times more than this so only the rich will be able to make use of it. The problem is that you cant wait for the paid service which might never come. Also if you are not in education in a graduated program there is no legal way to postpone the military service.

Well, thanks freshman, and thanks Erdinç for detailed information. (I've just wanted to ask freshman what happens with people who doesn't have university degree.)
Now I understand all I've heard from different people and which made me confused: I even didn't understan does serving last 5 or 12 or 15 or 24 months!
In my country military obligation also exists, and lasts 8 months for everybody. Exeption is "civil serving", which lasts more and looks similar like serving 12 months in Turkey. But for this you need special permission, and must work whatever they determine. There were rumours about giving possibility to pay for not going to Army, but for now it's not possible.
My personal opinion is that it's not fair if somebody who is reach and have money can avoid his military obligation (or any other obligation). There are things which shouldn't be permitted to be paid with money. (Oh, sometimes I'm getting so angry when I can't express my position because of not knowing language well enough! – I hope you understand what I want to tell) I also think that everyone of us have obligation to homeland and should fulfil it. What do you think?
I have one more question: can regular Army be sent to dangerous places to fight or this do only special forces.
Simply, I would like to know is my friend, who is in Turkish Army now, in some kind of danger.
I've seen in Antalya new monument (across the street of Antalya museum) with names, dates and places of birth (Antalya and surroundings) + dates and places of death of (I suppose) soldiers, who are killed during their military service. All young people. The monumet is new, there was nobody who could explain to us meaning of it, and our friends who we ask about it even didn't heard about it.
OK. I see. These are two questions:
1. Is my friend, who is in regular Army, in danger?
2. Can somebody give me some information about mentioned monument?

Thanks.
I'm trying to ask question which can be interested for the others too.

Merhaba Slavica,

I dont think your friend should be in danger if he is a regular soldier.
In Turkiye regular soldiers are not send from a city to another but they complete the service where they have started it.
There is a basic training of one month when you join the army. Afterwards you are assigned to your permanent place and you will complete your obligation there.

If he isnt in east or south-east of Turkiye there is completely no danger.

From time to time in east and south-east of Turkiye special forces figth against terrorists. If he serves in east or south-east Turkiye but isn't in special forces or isnt a commando there shouldnt be any danger as well.

Does anyone know at what age army sevice has to be completed?

when you are 20,they send you the "papers",and you have to react as soon as possible.If you are a student,then you can make them wait for 4 to 7 years(unless you finishthe university in 7 years,you lost the right of scholarship)

If you are 20 but not studying,then u must join the army.

Hi

My boyfriend will be studyign for 12 years because he will do specialisation to cardiologist after becomign a doctor. He is 20 now and in his second year. That means he still has got 10 years to go and will be 30 by the time he's done wiht his unviersity education.
What do they do about 'such situations'? Because this is longer than 4 to 7 years.

Thanks in advance for your replies

Education comes first before military service. I was 24 when I went to the army.
As long as he is a student in any university he will continue the study. Postgraduate studies also count when delaying the military service. There is a age limit though. I think it is 33 maximum.

My boyfriend is at this moment in Sirnak. I am not happy. Yesterday I read on the intetnet that there died 3 soldiers. Happily I have heard something from my bf but my thoughts are by those who did not survive. This makes me realise, that it is not safe to be there and that you will never know what is going to happen.