In 1942, he was made chief of staff of the armored forces.

From 1965 to 1966, he studied at the officer's training school in Paris and became deputy chief of staff of the armed forces soon after.

On 12 May 2004, he was appointed chief of general staff of the Syrian army and the armed forces.

Taya, who had held both positions, was demoted to chief of staff of the armed forces.

That meant he was not only chief of scientific research but something like chief of staff of the armed forces.

Both candidates have also promised to consolidate the army, navy, air force and general staff of the armed forces into a unified Defense Ministry.

General Musharraf, who is president and chief of staff of the armed forces, seized power in 1999 in a coup.

In July 2009, Shawkat was appointed deputy chief of staff of the armed forces.

After October, General Musharraf will be president and chief of staff of the armed forces.

In 1940, on board the German cruiser Blücher, he led the staff of the forces designated to occupy Oslo.