Excercises keep army's reserves in shape<\/p>\n
By Ridwan M. Sijabat<\/p>\n
CILODONG, Bogor, West Java (JP): The Army's Strategic Reserve
\nCommand (Kostrad), one of the service's elite forces, is
\nconstantly active, if not putting down rebellions in far flung
\nregions, then exercising to stay in top form.<\/p>\n
Although technically it is a reserve force, the constant
\nactivity of the green berets defies the notion of reserves troops
\ncommonly found in other countries where they are inactive and
\nwaiting for call-up anytime they are required.<\/p>\n
The philosophy behind the constant training at Kostrad is
\nsimple: Practice makes perfect.<\/p>\n
\"The quality of the command and of its troops improves through
\na greater frequency of exercises,\" Kostrad Chief Maj. Gen. Tarub
\nsaid yesterday during a dress rehearsal for the ceremony to mark
\nthe command's 34th anniversary, which is tomorrow.<\/p>\n
\"The training is focused not only on firing and self-defense,
\nbut also on how to deal with instability and disturbances in
\nsociety,\" he said. \"This demands Kostrad to be more professional
\nin facing all situations.\"<\/p>\n
Staying in shape all the time is vital because Kostrad is the
\nArmy's striking force, one that will be sent to the front line in
\ntimes of trouble.<\/p>\n
Kostrad's 27,000 personnel are divided into two divisions. One
\nstationed here in Cilodong, and the other in Malang, East Java.
\nThe force is well equipped, trained and prepared to be sent to
\nfar flung regions to deal with any signs of trouble.<\/p>\n
The force is divided into six brigades of infantry, tank and
\nairborne troops, which are further divided into 33 battalions.<\/p>\n
Kostrad has training grounds in Cilodong, Malang and in Batu
\nJajar in Central Java where the skills of its troops are
\nconstantly tested and sharpened.<\/p>\n
But as Tarub pointed out, these are not the only places where
\nthe green berets get their exercise.<\/p>\n
Kostrad is actively involved in various joint exercises at
\nhome and overseas. Kostrad has also carried the national flag in
\nvarious UN peacekeeping missions.<\/p>\n
Several Kostrad battalions are now stationed in Irian Jaya and
\nEast Timor to fight against separatist rebel groups there. \"These
\noperations are good opportunities for the troops to improve their
\nskill and enrich their experience in battlefields.\"<\/p>\n
A Kostrad airborne brigade is currently in Australia to
\nparticipate in a joint exercise with Indonesia's southern
\nneighbor. The Exercise Swift Canopy is designed to strengthen
\nmilitary and defense links between the two countries and pave the
\nway for Indonesia's participation in the major annual Kangaroo
\nmilitary exercise conducted by Australia and its allies.<\/p>\n
\"Besides enhancing bilateral relationships, Kostrad will get
\nmany precious lessons and experience from such a joint exercise,\"
\nTarub said of Indonesia's participation in Australia's training
\nprogram.<\/p>\n
Kostrad also joined in the various Garuda military contingents
\nthat were sent to world trouble spots under the United Nations'
\npeacekeeping missions.<\/p>\n
They include Vietnam and the Middle East in the 1970s, the
\nIran and Iraq border in the 1980s, and Cambodia in the 1990s.<\/p>\n
Last year, Kostrad sent a medical battalion to war-torn
\nBosnia-Herzegovina to join the UN Peace Protection Force. It also
\nsent some of its officers to Somalia as military observers.<\/p>\n
Tarub said Kostrad is involved in the protection of the
\ncountry's vital and strategic infrastructure, including heavy
\nindustries and natural resources.<\/p>\n
As part of its 34th anniversary, Kostrad last month organized
\na seminar, bringing in government and military officials and
\npolitical analysts to discuss the political situation and
\nprospects in the country. Given the constant political
\nnourishing, it is not surprising that many former Kostrad top
\nofficers have moved on to high political posts after retiring
\nfrom the force.<\/p>\n
Kostrad's first commandant is no other than Soeharto, who led
\nthe force between 1961 and 1965. He was still in charge of the
\nforce in putting down the communist rebellion which broke out in
\n1965. In 1968, he became Indonesia's second president and he has
\nremained at the helm to this day.<\/p>\n
Kostrad earned its fearsome reputation during the campaign to
\ngain Irian Jaya from the Netherlands in the early 1960s. The
\nforce was then commanded by Maj. Gen. Soeharto. Kostrad also took
\npart in the campaign against Malaysia in the early 1960s.<\/p>\n
Its reputation has continued since then, although it underwent
\nrestructuring in 1984. Although the Kostrad chief still reports
\nto the Army Chief of Staff, his assignments come directly from
\nthe Armed Forces Chief.<\/p>\n
Since Soeharto, there has been 17 other people in charge of
\nthe elite green beret force, most, if not all, subsequently
\nserved in higher military and government positions.<\/p>\n
They are: Umar Wirahadikusumah (1965-1967) later became vice
\npresident; Kemal Idris (1967-1969); Wahono (1969-70 and 1971-73)
\nnow speaker of the House of Representatives; Makmun Murod (1970-
\n1971), Poniman (1973-1974) later defense minister; Himawan
\nSutanto (1974-1975); Leo Lopulisa (1975-1978); Wiyogo
\nAtmodarminto (1978-80) later ambassador to Japan and Jakarta
\ngovernor, Ismail (1980-81) later Central Java governor; Rudini
\n(1981-83), later Army chief of staff and home affairs minister;
\nSuweno (1983-1986), Suripto (1986-87), the current Riau governor;
\nSahala Rajagukguk (1987-1988) now ambassador to India; Soegito
\n1988-1990), Wismoyo Arismunandar (1990-1992), later Army chief of
\nstaff, Kuntara (1992-1994) and Tarub (1994-until now).<\/p>",
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