Absurd?

Heh...

what do you think word "voluntary" means? or i should better ask, how you think it's understood in turkish army?
probably we have already mentioned that S. signed documents stating that he voluntarily joins the army. well, he didn't do it voluntarily, but he had to sign such statement.
two weeks similar thing took place. he was in the hospital, undergoing a number of tests ordered by the military doctor. at the same time red crescent was collecting blood from conscripts. in theory blood donation was voluntary, but S. is punished for avoiding donation. it seems his supervisors consider him to be some kind of a saint or jesus - that must be the case, otherwise how can they expect him to be in two places at the same time? so he didn't voluntarily donate his blood and he is forbidden to go out of the base on the weekends. the problem is i had bought plane tickets to see him, but i won't. and it's all because apparently S. and me have wrong understanding of voluntarism.

After a break

It's been a while since I wrote anything. I guess I wasn't really sure what can I write. Also after initial shock I only slowly started to comprehend the reality.

S. is now in new base - in Incirlik. It is Turkish-American airbase. Small town on Incirlik turned into small American colony. But it's not "Little America." It's more like shanty town with bars called "Amigos" and shops selling carpets and jewelery. Probably these are the most favoured trofies of American soldiers. What is striking though is unusual for Turkey sensitivity to racial diversity present in American society and army per analogiam. Posters of dr. M.L.King or first graduates of Tuskegee who joined US Army are truly impressive. So is Bible's prophecy that Obama will be the president. Sad thing is that African American soldiers most probably feel like colonizers or at least the ones civilized among these shop sellers. Hopefully I'm wrong. But as long as they are willing to pay 120 USD for things worth 15lira they are one of the main pillars of local economy.

And speaking of S. list of stories demostrating irrationality of orders is endless. Level of nationalist propaganda are beyond description. Though it seems that in the new base it's less. Probably due to the fact that all of the soldiers had made an oath, so it means they underwent full program of indoctrination.
I went to this "ceremony." I was reading a book for most of the time. I couldn't see anything, and this what I could understand was too much, so I prefered to read. But the crowd was extremely excited although all of them, just like me, could see NOTHING. But I guess years of education they receiced in this country make them more sensitive to poems that were recited. During the oath when I heard word "honor" I was glad I wasn't listening with full attention. Apparently these men were pledging to defend honor of their women. What a relieve I'm not "their." But at the same time does this deprive me honor? Whatever.

Should I mention that military is based on daily rituals of violation of physical and mental integrity? On deprivation of human dignity? These little vicius things seem to be worse. Like postponing release for few hours outside, swearing or even jokes.
To some extend it's incomprehensive for people outside. The only way of resisting is inside your mind. Perhaps it's also the most dangerous one for them (the army) - if they only knew.

so I`ve been visiting S. for three weeks now. apart from the fact that I became recognizable to some ppl in the city I`m also not any more anonymous to some of the soldiers and officers. It sometimes helps to get S. quicker to the visitors area, before they start one of their brainwashing sessions. I`m listening to different stories so I should finally stop getting so surprised. Changing orders for the arrangements of the content of the pockets, ban on gloves despite coldness....and the movies they watch - old style propaganda. Other than that I guess usual military things - endless counting sessions, waiting, swearing, humiliation, dirt. They have no rights to their bodies - I`m not even mentioning the mind. Moreover visitors loose some of their integrity as well. A number of times we were warned not to sit as close as we were. We are not allowed to kiss, some women are ordered to change the style they cover their hair. And this waiting. For some people endless waiting for "their soldier." We stand in front of the windows starring in the direction from which awaited man will come. At first you just see blue uniform. Too far to guess if that`s the awaited man or not. When the blue shape approaches and turns out not to be the "one" we turn heads again to the beginning of the lane...for some women it lasts for hours...I`m lucky, I am remebered. But it is humiliating. Total dependence on somebody`s mood.

all these man turning into individuals again during visits. With their mothers, fathers, girl friens and friends. Each one of them starts to look different despite same uniform. It must take some unimaginable power not to surrender, to keep individuality intact and survive. Sometimes it`s hard for me to listen to the propaganda they are fed inside. I cant imagine listening to that under the control of the co-soldiers.

last 4 days and S. will be transferred to Adana. it's supposedly good base, just really far away. American troops are stationing in that air base. there is official website for the American part of the base. they dont reveal any importatnt info, but at least you can check the facilities in the base and see few photos. that's not the case with the Turkish part of course. not that American military is transparent or democratic - but at least they know the power of the public opinion. and as far as i know they dont have lectures on Abraham Lincoln as Turks have about Ataturk.

oh, and one more thing: until sildiers shoot their first bullet they wear identification number. after they pass this ridiculous "test of manhood" they are given tags with their own surnames, no more numbers. they become individuals again once they know how to shoot. NO COMMENTS.