Defence Ministry Evaluates Military Basic Training, Reduces Physical Activities
The Ministry of Defence has stated that basic military training (latsarmil) for prospective managers of the Merah Putih Village Cooperative is being adjusted. The Head of the Defence Information Bureau of the Ministry of Defence, Brigadier General Rico Ricardo Sirait, stated that the reduction in physical activity intensity is part of an evaluation following the deaths of five participants.
“Adjustments are being made by reducing physical and tactical activities that have a military nature,” he said when contacted on Sunday, 28 June 2026.
Rico noted that for the remainder of the training period, activities will be limited to fostering discipline and basic fitness. This includes morning exercises, roll calls, marching drills, environmental familiarisation, and light field activities.
In addition to reducing the intensity of field activities, Rico stated that the ministry has mapped the physical capabilities of the prospective Merah Putih Village Cooperative managers. “Participants with medical conditions or health risk factors have been specially marked with a white ribbon,” he said.
Rico explained that participants wearing this special marker will not be burdened with excessive physical activities. He added that participants with health risks or complaints will perform physical activities based on recommendations from medical personnel.
“In principle, the essence of building discipline and character remains, but the implementation is being made more adaptive for participants from civilian backgrounds,” said Rico.
The Ministry of Defence has also reduced physical disciplinary measures. He stated that participants who violate rules will not be subjected to excessive physical punishment. “It has been made measurable. The emphasis is more on educational guidance,” said the one-star general.
The first wave of basic military training is taking place from 17 June to 31 July 2026, with a total of 35,476 participants. This group consists of 30,000 prospective managers for the Merah Putih Village Cooperative and 5,476 prospective managers for the Merah Putih Fishing Villages.
However, five participants passed away during the ten-day period of implementation. They were Nola Dya Sari, Novia Rahmadhani Sihotang, Anisa Muyassaroh, Yonanda Muhammad Taufiq, and Muhammad Rifki Renaldi Gunawan.
Nola Dya Sari, who was training at the Kalimantan State Defence Education Unit, died on 26 June 2006 after complaining of shortness of breath and fever. On the same day, Muhammad Rifki Renaldi Gunawan, a participant at the 465 Commando Battalion (Yonko) Education Unit in East Jakarta, also died after experiencing similar symptoms. Rifki was known to have a history of hypertension and obesity.
Meanwhile, Novia Rahmadhani Sihotang, a participant at the Language Centre of the TNI Air Force Doctrine, Education, and Training Command in Jakarta, died on 23 June 2026 due to active tuberculosis (TBC).
Furthermore, Anisa Muyassaroh died one day after training began, on 18 June 2026, due to heatstroke while participating in training at the Kodam Mulawarman Regiment Education Unit in Balikpapan, East Kalimantan. Yonanda Muhammad Taufiq died on the first day of training, 17 June 2026, due to cardiac arrest.