One of the foundational myths of Turkish nationalism is that the Turkish nation is a military nation; that “every Turk is born a soldier” (Altınay forthcoming). This entry addresses the implications of this myth for women in terms of military service and citizenship and women's participation in the military as officers.

Military service is compulsory for all males, currently for fifteen months at the age of 21 (six to twelve months for university graduates). The law that regulates this citizenship practice was passed in 1927 after a brief discussion in the parliament. Upon…