Career Path of Try Sutrisno: From Soekarno's Aide to Indonesia's Sixth Vice President

Jakarta – General (retired) Try Sutrisno, the sixth Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia, passed away on Monday, 2 March 2026. Sutrisno died at the Central Armed Forces Hospital (RSPAD) Gatot Soebroto in Jakarta at 06.58 Western Indonesian Time. The news was confirmed by former RSPAD Commander Lieutenant General (retired) Albertus Budi Sulistya.

According to the official website of the Armed Forces Headquarters Information Centre, Try Sutrisno was born in Surabaya on 15 November 1935. His military career commenced when he was accepted as a cadet at the Armed Forces Technical Academy (Atekad) in 1956 at the age of 21 years. However, after only one year of studies, he was deployed to operational duties. He began his service as a soldier by participating in operations to suppress the Revolutionary Government Rebellion of the Republic of Indonesia (PRRI).

During this assignment, he interacted with Soeharton, who held the rank of Major General and had been appointed by President Soekarno as Commander of the Mandala Command, which was based in Sulawesi. From these operations, the close relationship between Try Sutrisno and Soeharton began to develop.

After Soeharton became the second President of the Republic of Indonesia in 1968, Try Sutrisno’s military career continued to advance. In 1974, he was appointed as presidential aide to President Soeharton, a position that proved to be a crucial turning point in his military career.

In 1978, Try was appointed as Head of Territorial Command Staff at the Udayana Regional Command XVI. A year later, he was entrusted with the position of Commander of the Sriwijaya Regional Command IV. Four years later, Try Sutrisno received another promotion to Commander of the Jakarta Regional Command V/Jaya.

In June 1986, Try Sutrisno was appointed as Armed Forces Commander, replacing Rudhini. Less than a year later, specifically in April 1987, he was promoted to the rank of General.