Bülent Bostanoğlu

Recep Bülent Bostanoğlu (born 24 December 1953) is a retired Turkish admiral, who served as the Commander of the Turkish Naval Forces between 2013 and 2017.

Early life and education Bostanoğlu was born on August 23, 1953, in Karadeniz Ereğli, Zonguldak Province, Turkey. He graduated from the Turkish Naval High School in Istanbul in 1970 and the Turkish Naval Academy in 1973.

Naval career

Adm. Bülent Bostanoglu (at right) in a meeting with U.S. Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus.

Bostanoğlu began to serve as the Communications Officer onboard TCG Tinaztepe (D-355), after completing his Fundamental Officers Training. During his sea tour from 1975 until 1980 he assumed a variety of duties, respectively as the Division Officer and Department Head, on board the patrol boat TCG Sultanhisar (P-111) and the destroyers TCG Tinaztepe (D-355), TCG Berk (D-358) and TCG Adatepe (D-353). Graduating from the Turkish Naval War College in 1982, he served on board TCG Anittepe (D-347) as the Navigation and Operations Officer. He then served as the Commander of Turkish Naval War College till 2005, Chief of Operations Directorate at the Turkish Navy Headquarters from 2005 to 2007, Commander of the Surface Action Group & Northern Task Group till 2008 and Chief of Staff of the Fleet Command from 2008 until 2009. Upon his promotion to vice admiral, he assumed Chief of Communications, Electronics & Information Systems Directorate in the Turkish General Staff Headquarters from 2009 until 2010. He subsequently commanded Naval Training and Education Command until August 2011 and Northern Sea Area Command from August 2011 to January 2013. He was assigned to the Turkish Fleet as the Commander in January 2013.