Becoming a commissioned officer or reserve officer requires meeting specific conditions. Recruitment is conducted through exams. Citizens of the Republic of Turkey who meet the requirements may apply. Those who earn an officer rank begin serving as military personnel within the Turkish Armed Forces. In addition to general eligibility criteria, officer candidates must meet height, weight and physical fitness standards. Besides the written exam, applicants must also demonstrate mental suitability. Today, many young people prefer to apply for officer and reserve officer positions partly because of the salaries.
What Are the Ways to Become an Officer?
Paths available for those who want to become officers include:
- Entering a military high school at the appropriate age. Applicants younger than 20 who pass the entrance exam may go on to become officers in the land, air, or naval forces.
- Graduates with a bachelor’s degree may apply for officer positions after completing their undergraduate studies.
How to Apply to Become an Officer?
Candidates should follow announcements published on the Ministry of National Defense personnel recruitment website and complete pre-application via the online application screen using their e‑Government credentials. Applications cannot be submitted by email or by visiting offices in person; the online pre-application is required. After pre-applying, candidates must rank their preferences. The candidate number assigned during this process corresponds to their Turkish identity number.
What Are the Requirements to Become an Officer?
Officer eligibility rules are as follows:
- Bachelor’s degree applicants must have been born on or after January 1, 1992.
- Those with postgraduate degrees may apply if born on or after January 1, 1987.
- Specialists must be under 35 years old, meaning they should have been born on or after January 1, 1984.
- Height requirements: female applicants must be at least 1.53 meters tall; male applicants must be at least 1.64 meters.
- Applicants must have at least 60 points in the KPSS-P3 score type on the Public Personnel Selection Examination (KPSS). Candidates who did not take the exam or who scored below 60 are not accepted.
What Are the Conditions to Become a Reserve Officer?
Conditions for men and women who wish to serve as reserve officers in the Turkish Armed Forces include:
- Applicants must be citizens of the Republic of Turkey.
- Graduates of four‑year undergraduate programs may apply to be reserve officers.
- Candidates must expressly declare their desire to serve as reserve officers.
- Candidates must meet the specified height and weight ranges set for reserve officer recruitment.
- Bachelor’s degree applicants must be under 27 years of age; for postgraduate graduates the age limit is 32.
How to Apply for Reserve Officer?
Applications are made at military recruitment offices. Applicants must state they wish to be a reserve officer at the time of application; the recruitment office staff will provide the appropriate form. Candidates are asked whether they prefer to serve 12 months as a reserve officer or to do 6 months of short‑term service as a noncommissioned private. After application, candidates take the necessary exam and, if selected, serve 12 months as a reserve officer.
How Are Reserve Officer Selections Conducted?
Many four‑year degree graduates apply for officer/reserve officer positions, but current reserve officer intake numbers are limited. As a result, selections are often made by lottery. Candidates who apply enter a draw; those whose numbers are drawn begin service as reserve officers. The lottery is organized by the Ministry of National Defense, Directorate General of Recruitment.
What Happens After Winning the Reserve Officer Lottery?
Those selected by lottery and assigned to duty undergo two months of basic training before assuming their responsibilities. During this training they receive instruction on daily military life, future assignments, basic soldiering skills and classroom education relevant to their roles.
How Long Are Reserve Officer Salaries Paid After Training?
Candidates who complete training after being appointed as reserve officers receive salary payments for ten months. Reserve officer pay is proportional to the salaries given to standing officers, taking rank and conditions into account.
How to Check Reserve Officer Classification Results?
Reserve officer classification results and pre‑deployment applications must be checked via the e‑Government system.
Steps to follow:
- Log in to the official e‑Government portal with valid credentials.
- Authenticate using one of the available methods: e‑Government password, mobile signature, electronic signature, Turkish identity card or internet banking. E‑Government passwords can be obtained from PTT branches.
- After logging in with your Turkish ID number and e‑Government password, select the Ministry of National Defense from the e‑services menu.
- Choose the Reserve Officer Classification Result Inquiry and Deployment Application option to view results on the page that opens.
Can Officer Candidates Apply to Multiple Commands?
Applicants must apply to at least one command and are allowed up to three preferences. Preferences do not require a specific ranking order. Candidates choosing a service branch may select up to five class preferences aligned with their field of study, and they may choose fewer if they prefer.
Where Are Officer Examinations Held?
Officer exams are held at three main centers. Examination locations are:
- Air Force Band and Ceremony Command in Kirazlıdere, Ankara.
- Land Forces Military Academy Command in Çankaya, Ankara.
- MEBS School and Training Center Command in Mamak, Ankara.
What Are the Requirements for Active/Contract Officers?
Requirements to become an active/contract officer include:
- Age limits: maximum 27 for bachelor’s graduates, 32 for postgraduate graduates, and 35 for those with specialist training. Graduates from foreign institutions must provide equivalency certificates.
- A KPSS‑P3 score of 60 or higher within the last two years is required.
- Those who have not completed military service for legally valid reasons may still apply.
- Individuals currently serving as reserve officers, reserve noncommissioned officers, or soldiers may apply.
- Those discharged from military service may apply unless specifically barred from reserve officer service.
- Applicants must be citizens of the Republic of Turkey.
- Applicants must not have been dismissed from civilian or military schools or from the Turkish Armed Forces.
- Security clearance and archive research must return positive results.
- Applicants must not be convicted or under criminal investigation.
- Those affiliated with terrorist organizations or groups that threaten national security are not eligible.
How Much Do Officers Earn Monthly?
In 2020, the average officer salary was around 5,000 TL. Officer and reserve officer salaries vary according to rank, seniority and the unit where they serve. Officers posted to eastern regions receive additional compensation for counter‑terrorism duty, which can increase their pay by approximately 1,000–1,500 TL compared to peers in other regions.