Demand for paid military service has increased significantly in our country in recent years. As in previous years, it is expected to be reinstated soon. The current agenda raises the question of whether age correction cases will lead to eligibility for paid military service. Recently, with the implementation of this system, individuals whose ages do not reflect the actual age in the population have experienced application difficulties, and many have been unable to benefit from paid military service. As is well known, paid military service requires a specific age threshold, and the requirement to have reached that age is met. However, our legislation clearly states that changing the age after reaching military age has no effect on applying for paid military service. Article 81 of the Military Service Law states as follows:
“Age changes made after reaching military age (except those made by the court based on official hospital birth records) are not taken into account in military service procedures. However, if the age recorded in the family registry does not match the age recorded during the roll call and the appearance of those who do not have any obstacles to correcting their registered age, the head of the military recruiting branch shall apply to the public prosecutor for age correction, and their military service shall be carried out according to the outcome of the trial.”
Among those whose ages have been corrected pursuant to the first paragraph, those who have not yet reached military age based on their corrected age shall be called to arms along with their peers (counterparts) after their roll call. Among those whose ages have been corrected pursuant to the first paragraph, those who have reached military age based on their corrected age but have not yet reached the age of 23 shall be called to arms along with their peers following their roll call. Those who have reached the age of 23, based on their corrected age, are immediately transferred to the classes and units determined by the Ministry of National Defense following their roll call.
For those who have reached the age limit before reaching military service age, roll call will be based on their changed age.
According to the regulation, age changes can only affect applications for military service and paid military service if they are based on official hospital records.