Military Career

After his graduation at Ottoman Military College, he was assigned to the Fifth Army as a Staff Captain based in Damascus (capital of Syria) with Ali Fuat and Müfit. Later on 20 June 1907 he was promoted to the rank of senior captain and furthermore on 13 October 1907 he was assigned to the Headquarters in Manastir of Third Army. On 22 June 1908 he was appointed Inspector of the Ottoman Railways in Eastern Rumelia.

 

In 1911, Atatürk went and fought in the Italo-Turkish War managing to successfully repel the Italians on a number of occasions. Following this, he served as a successful commander during the Balkan Wars. He was then promoted to the rank of Kaymakam (Lieutenant Colonel/Colonel). Again he served as a commander when First World War broke out. After the Armistice of Mudros was signed, Atatürk returned to Turkey as an hero. Unfortunately, the people who signed the armistice were not true to it leading to the outbreak of The Turkish War of Independence.

 

With Atatürk's amazing skills, he led the Turkish against the Allied Powers and won. After the recognition of Turkey being a Republic and the signing of the Treaty of Lausanne, Atatürk was not only known as a military officer but also as the leader of the country.