The Ministry of Defence submitted the relevant bill at a meeting of the Plenary Session of the Parliament. 

The bill was referred to the relevant parliamentary committee for discussion. Indicatively, it states that the first class of Contracted Soldiers (SYOP) whose 10-year service will be completed in 2026 consists of about 1,500 soldiers. Thus, the gap that will be created by the completion of their service, if the bill is not voted, will be difficult to fill.

Thus, in the context of the effort to further strengthen the institution of Contracted Soldiers, the bill provides for an amendment to the National Guard Law entailing the possibility for those recruited as SYOP to serve in the National Guard until the age of 42.

This regulation is to replace the current one, according to which the total duration of a soldier’s contract is limited to 10 years, regardless of the age at which (s)he is recruited. 

The proposed amendment will result in treating Contracted Soldiers in the same way in terms of the age they complete their service since, according to the applicable legislation, it is possible for SYOP service to end at the age of 42 if one is recruited at the age of 32. According to the Ministry of Defence, no serious increase in expenditure is expected since the number of SYOPs will be the same.

According to the Ministry of Defence, the amendment in question is deemed necessary for the following reasons:

• The utilization of the knowledge and experience that the SYOP acquire during their service;
• The uniform treatment of SYOP in terms of the age of their service completion. The average age of the 1st class is 31 years;
• Providing an incentive to attract more candidates to participate in the SYOP recruitment selection procedures considering that the number of candidates in the last selection procedure was quite reduced;
• Avoiding the simultaneous vacancy of a large number of SYOP positions. Indicatively, it is stated that the first class of SYOP, which completes 10 years of service in 2026, consists of about 1,500 soldiers, and the gap that will be created by their service completion will be difficult to fill;
• Preventing the service deferral trend that has been observed lately.

Also read: Ministry of Defence | Projects presentation of Recruitment Computerization Support Center