Burak ŞAHİN

Time doesn't just consist of quantitative calculations. When we examine time qualitatively, it can be seen that it multiplies with various layers. In terms of perception, social interaction, and history, time assumes a social identity except for its understanding in physics and astronomy. The perception of time has varied in both measurements and comprehension at every stage of history and society. Analyzing how agricultural and industrial societies interpret time will make it possible to see this diversity clearly. Besides, political systems determine the content of time. Compulsory military service is a special institution, where we can observe social time elements due to application of a strict discipline. This study focuses on the relationship between social time and compulsory military service in Turkey. Thus, expanding the scope of social time is aimed. In the study, in which qualitative research was used, 30 people who completed their military service were interviewed and questions were asked about their military service experiences. In order to examine various aspects of military service, the sample group was formed as 15 short-term and 15 long-term soldiers. Every moment of the days in military service is examined in terms of time perception. Participants revelaed that to comply with the disciplinary rules is to do the duty on time. Failure to enforce rules is due to poor management of time. In an institution where duties and responsibilities are very intense, it is seen that soldiers struggle with time, which seems longer than the measurable time. Certain rituals are developed for spending time. These rituals aim to accelerate the passage of time. Spending of time is made possible with these rituals. The differences between the duration of military service determine the perception of time by the soldiers.

Keywords: Social Time, Military Service, Military Sociology, Discipline, Authority