19.02.2025 07:40
In a live broadcast, Prof. Dr. Erhan Afyoncu, the Rector of the National Defense University, spoke about the sword oath of the lieutenants, stating, "They asked for permission 7 times and were denied 8 times. The problem here is not mentioning Atatürk's name, but rather indiscipline. Only 5 lieutenants did not receive punishment. Many other lieutenants who participated in that oath were penalized."
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The Rector of the National Defense University, Prof. Dr. Erhan Afyoncu, made striking evaluations during a live broadcast on CNN Türk. Afyoncu spoke about the expulsion of lieutenants after their sword oath at the graduation ceremony of the Army Academy on August 30, 2024.
"THEY ASKED FOR PERMISSION 7 TIMES, 8 TIMES IT WAS DENIED"
Afyoncu argued that the sword oath of the lieutenants is something that does not exist in military regulations and cannot be performed, stating, "They asked for permission 7 times, and 8 times it was denied." He noted that the lieutenants "persistently did what they were told not to do," adding, "Only 5 lieutenants did not receive punishment there. Many lieutenants who participated in that oath were punished."
"THE PROBLEM IS NOT MENTIONING ATATÜRK'S NAME, BUT DISCIPLINE"
Afyoncu stated, "The problem here is not mentioning Atatürk's name, but indiscipline." He conveyed the following message: "Those who do not respect Atatürk have no place in the Military Academy. Politics cannot enter the army. I will not allow this. I am a man who knows the Balkan War. The entry of politics into the army caused us to lose all of the Balkans. No one with a sense of history would allow this."
IS THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY ANTHEM IN THE REGULATIONS?
Serdar Öztürk, one of the lieutenants' lawyers, asked Afyoncu on social media, "Since actions that are not in the regulations are not being carried out, and oaths are not being taken, is the 100th anniversary anthem you recited during the ceremony in the regulations?"
WHAT HAPPENED?
After the graduation ceremony of the Army Academy on August 30, the lieutenants held a sword clashing ceremony and chanted the slogan "We are the soldiers of Mustafa Kemal." The students, led by the top student Ebru Eroğlu, recited the following oath in unison: "We swear that our hands will be found against those who reach for the independence of the secular, democratic Republic of Turkey, the indivisible integrity of the country, the honor and dignity of the great Turkish nation, and every inch of our sacred homeland, and our swords will always be sharp and ready. We are the children of the Turkish future. We were born with honor, and we will live with honor. How happy is the one who says I am a Turk!" These images were shared on social media accounts and subsequently became a topic in politics. After the sword clashing ceremony, there were strong reactions from the ruling side, and an investigation was initiated against the lieutenants.
President Erdoğan reacted by saying, "Some exploiters have emerged and drawn swords. Who are you drawing these swords against? All necessary investigations regarding this are currently being conducted, and those few ignorant ones there will be cleaned up, God willing."
Later, the Ministry of National Defense (MSB) announced that five lieutenants and three disciplinary officers were expelled from the Turkish Armed Forces.
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