CIOR Provides New Opportunities for TESUD
By Capt. Lauri Turpin

For the Turkish Retired Officer Association (TESUD), hosting this year’s CIOR congress, is not only an honor, it is an opportunity.

“There are three main reasons we are pleased to host this year’s CIOR,” said Major General (retired) Riza Kucukoglu. “First, this is the first time in CIOR’s history that all of the participants will be on Turkish soil. Second, this is a wonderful opportunity to improve the visibility of TESUD. We operate on the basis of volunteer membership, so it is good for Turkish society and Turkish military to show the contribution of their retired officers. Of course, the third reason is that we are able to assist the CIOR in transformation and to assist in strengthening the organization.”

It is clear that Kucukoglu is passionate about his role as president of TESUD. “I am lucky to be working with this organization, because this is one of the few opportunities for military and civilian organizations to have a voice – to interact,” he said. “TESUD has the ability to affect change for its members.”

Under Kucukoglu’s leadership, TESUD is in the midst of several important programs. CIOMR members witnessed one of these programs first-hand, when they traveled Monday to the TAF Rehabilitation and Care Center in Ankara.

“This hospital was created to provide excellent medical care for reserve veterans. Here our reserve soldiers can receive the care they need before they go back into their civilian lives,” said Kucukoglu.

TESUD also spearheaded a program that enables Turkish reserve soldiers to receive vocational and technical training at local universities. The program is successful in two ways; not only does it provide a transition for soldiers leaving military service and looking to begin a civilian career, but it also is an opportunity for TESUD members to reaffirm their value to Turkish society.

“Usually in Turkey by age 50 or 52, a military member will retire, and will no longer work. TESUD membership gives retired soldiers more life opportunities,” Kucukoglu said. “Turkish officers have outstanding foreign-language skills, they have unique training and are well-educated. It is good for Turkish society and Turkish businesses to learn that our retired officers can also be good managers of their businesses.”

Cengiz Kurkcu, a retired colonel and TESUD board member and director of foreign relations, takes great pride in his work with the organization. He echoes Kucukoglu’s sentiment with regard to this year’s Congress.

“We are lucky to have this opportunity to announce both nationally and internationally the role of Turkey’s reserve and retired officers.”

But aside from TESUD’s goals, Kucukoglu is adamant about one thing with regard to this year’s CIOR Congress.

“We want to ensure the enjoyment of all participants,” he said. “TESUD has worked very hard, and our members have put in many volunteer hours to ensure excellent service and Turkish hospitality. We wanted everyone to feel welcome from the moment they stepped off the plane.”

Most important, he said, was for people to keep in mind his slogan for the event: “Don’t worry, be happy!”