Soldiers in Aceh battle boredom, homesickness<\/p>\n
A'an Suryana
\nThe Jakarta Post
\nLhokseumawe, Aceh<\/p>\n
For many soldiers tasked to crush separatists in Aceh, watching
\nTV or VCD films, or hunting birds during their spare time is a
\nfavorite way to kill time and to stave off homesickness for the
\nfirst months.<\/p>\n
First. Lt. Anan, a soldier of the Baladhika regiment deployed
\nin Panton Laboh district, North Aceh, could not hide his
\nexcitement when a group of journalists visited the district on
\nThursday and had a chat with the soldiers.<\/p>\n
Anan, a member of the Army's elite unit Kopassus, who has been
\nassigned for eleven months in the restive province, told the
\njournalists that he hoped his commander would allow him to return
\nhome after his 12-month assignment ended next month.<\/p>\n
Recalling all his experiences in the district over the last
\neleven months, Anan was hopeful of an approval from his superior
\nto go home, where he hoped he could turn over a new leaf and live
\na normal life with his parents, brothers and sisters in his
\nhometown in Jakarta.<\/p>\n
"In month's time I will be leading a normal life. But, I must
\nprepare myself for the worst, that my assignment in the war zone
\nmay be extended for another year," he told The Jakarta Post.<\/p>\n
Many other soldiers shared similar experiences and problems.
\nMost soldiers deployed in Aceh find themselves easily bored.<\/p>\n
It is therefore not surprising then, that a low-ranking
\nsoldier told Army Chief Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu in a recent dialog
\nwith soldiers in Banda Aceh that they needed entertainment to
\ncope with boredom in the war zone.<\/p>\n
Patrolling, launching raids and attacks, guarding posts, or
\nstaying in the military bases has all become a routine job.<\/p>\n
Lt. Col. Echsan Sutardji, commander of an infantry battalion
\nin the remote Idi Rayeuk district in East Aceh said all military
\ngroups under his command in the regency had TV and VCD players.<\/p>\n
Another military officer said that the routine nature of the
\njob not only made the officers feel bored but also killed their
\nfighting spirit.<\/p>\n
Some felt frustrated, while others used their spare time to
\nexercise and other individual activities to maintain their
\nfighting spirit.<\/p>\n
"The morale of the soldiers is sometimes low following a
\ntiring operation to hunt separatists and a long deployment in the
\nregion," said the officer whose battalion from Sulawesi would get
\nits turn for replacement next month.<\/p>\n
The soldiers revealed what was most frustrating was the kind
\nof war they were facing and the difficult terrain.<\/p>\n
"Most soldiers are facing an armed rebellion in forests and
\nswampy areas, territory they are not familiar with, and at the
\nsame time an underground movement amid the people.<\/p>\n
"Soldiers are risking their lives since it is difficult to
\nidentify the enemy because rebels are living among civilians or
\nare hiding in remote and swampy forests," said another soldier
\nwho declined to be identified.<\/p>\n
He insisted that his fighting spirit would not die until GAM
\ngave up and accepted the legitimate government.<\/p>\n
Following the deployment of 30,000 soldiers and 10,000 police
\npersonnel for the military offensive on May 19, the military has
\nshot dead more than 400 rebels and arrested more than 670 others
\nand 75 percent of the territory of four million people has been
\nbrought under control.<\/p>\n
Another group of soldiers taking a bath in a river in the
\njungle in Nisam district, for example, was surprised and very
\nhappy when the journalists threw several packs of cigarettes to
\nthem on the river bank. They also waved and made gestures to two
\nfemale TV reporters among the journalists.<\/p>\n
Interestingly, both military and police personnel use their
\nuniforms and bring their firearms with them to avoid any
\nsuspicion among themselves and to be ready for any emergency.<\/p>\n
It is not surprising to find off-duty soldiers in complete
\nmilitary attire carrying a gun or rifle on the streets or in
\ntraditional markets.<\/p>\n
Soldiers who have been deployed for five years or following
\nthe establishment of the Iskandar Muda Military Command last year
\ndo not experience homesickness because their families are
\npermitted to stay here with them.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/soldiers-in-aceh-battle-boredom-homesickness-1447893297",
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