Turkish man with two identity cards called for military service twice

KASTAMONU - Anadolu Agency

A young Turkish man who was registered twice separately by his divorced parents has been facing the possibility of doing his compulsory military service twice.

Yusuf Yıldız has already applied to the military service with his first ID, which was registered by his father with the birth year of 1997, only to find out that he had a second ID card belonging to him, in which his birth year is 1998.

Yıldız’s parents divorced when he was two years old. He lived with his father until the age of 12.

“My dad had me registered when I was about to start school,” Yıldız said. 

“My mother’s name is Melek, but he had it registered differently and my birth year as 1998. I have used this ID for years. But this year I received an official document for my military service, which says my name is Yusuf Demirel, my mother’s name is Melek and my birth year is 1997. When I applied to the civil registry office, I found out that I actually have a second ID, which was registered by my mother,” he added. 

Yıldız wants the identity card registered by his mother to be annulled. He applied to a court in an attempt to solve the problem.

“But it was not annulled since I could not take my parents to the courthouse,” Yıldız said. 

“This year, I suspended my military service because my birthdate appears to be 1997 on this ID. The second call [to military service] is also approaching. Will I serve in the army twice? I do not know how this will end,” he added.

The Turkish constitution obligates all male citizens aged between 20 and 41 to serve a compulsory military service.

The duration of the basic military service, however, varies. For those without four-year university degrees, they are required to serve in the army for 12 months as privates, while those with four-year university degrees or higher degrees are required to either serve for 12 months as reserve officers or six months as short-term privates.

Authorities said the problem Yıldız is facing can only be solved with a court decision to annul one of the registrations.