Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu (born 9 March 1961) is a Turkish general who has been the 32nd and current chief of the General Staff since 5 August 2025. He previously served as the 53rd commander of the Turkish Land Forces from August 2023 to August 2025.
Biography Bayraktaroğlu was born in Artvin, Turkey on 9 March 1961. He obtained his graduation from Kuleli Military High School in 1977.
Bayraktaroğlu completed his studies at the Turkish Military Academy in 1981, graduating as a signal officer. He was subsequently promoted to the rank of second lieutenant after he went on to complete his specialized training in 1982. From 1982 to 1991, he served in different signal units, holding the positions of platoon and company commander. In 1993, he completed his studies at the Army War College, followed by graduation from the Armed Forces College in 1997. From 1993 to 2009, he served in various staff officer roles at military units and headquarters.
In 2009, Bayraktaroğlu was promoted to brigadier general and took on the role of commander of the 9th Commando Brigade, serving from 2009 to 2011, and commander of the Logistics and Ammunition Command, a position he held from 2011 to 2013. In 2013, he was promoted to major general and assumed the office commander of Communications, Electronics, Information Systems, and Cyber Defense at the Turkish General Staff (2013–2014) and chief of Staff of the 3rd Army (2014–2016). Promoted to lieutenant general in 2016, he served as the chief of the Personnel Division at the Turkish General Staff until 2020.
Bayraktaroğlu is married to Hürriyet Bayraktaroğlu with two children.
Awards and decorations In 2024, Bayraktaroğlu was awarded the Nishan-e-Imtiaz (Order of Excellence) by the president of Pakistan in recognition of his contributions to defence relations between Pakistan and Turkey.
In December 2021, he was awarded the Turkish Armed Forces Medal of Distinguished Service by the government of Turkey.
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