Turkish armed forces total made public

Baku, Azerbaijan, March 3 By Rufiz Hafizoglu - Trend: The number of Turkish armed forces personnel stands at 201,327, according to a message posted on the Turkish General Staff's website on March 3. Among the total number of military personnel, some 343 servicemen bear the title of 'general'. Some 39,131 servicemen out of the total number of Turkey's troops are officers and 48,625 are sergeants, according to the message. The number of civilian personnel in the Turkish armed forces is 52,782. The Turkish army is staffed by conscripts and the military age in the country is 20, with a compulsory military service period from six to 12 months. After being discharged from the army, Turkish citizens are considered to be liable for military service and stay in the reserves until aged 45. In time of war, Turkish men aged 16 to 60 and women aged 20 to 46, capable of bearing arms may be conscripted, in accordance with the law. In October 2013, the Turkish parliament lowered the upper limit of compulsory military service period from 15 to 12 months. Translated by E.A. Edited by S.M. Follow us on Twitter @TRENDNewsAgency