Marines Conduct Basic Military Training for Red and White Cooperative and Fishermen Village Managers

The Indonesian Marine Corps (Korps Marinir TNI AL) has been tasked with training prospective managers of the Red and White Village Cooperatives (Koperasi Desa Merah Putih/KDMP) and Red and White Fishermen Villages (Kampung Nelayan Merah Putih/KNMP) through a Basic Military Training (Latsarmil) programme for the Reserve Component (Komcad).

Head of the Marine Corps Information Service, Colonel Rana Karyana, stated that the training is being conducted at the 1st Marine Force Headquarters in Cilandak, Jakarta. “At the 1st Infantry Brigade education unit, there are 669 students for the Red and White Cooperatives. Then at the 1st Artillery Regiment education unit, there are 865 female students for the Red and White Fishermen Villages,” Rana said when contacted by Antara in Jakarta on Thursday (18/6).

He said they will be educated for one and a half months by instructors from the Marine Corps and relevant government agencies. During the first month, Rana continued, they will undergo basic military training accompanied by Marine trainers. “The basic military training includes drill regulations, military honours regulations, military ceremony procedures, military discipline regulations, field leadership, and methods of giving instructions,” Rana said.

This basic training is provided with the aim of fostering discipline, leadership spirit, a sense of responsibility, and a spirit of nationalism in the participants. In addition, several basic military training materials will also be given to the reserve component participants, ranging from weapons familiarisation to survival techniques. Rana assured that all materials are provided based on a determined level and with appropriate methods for civilians.

After one month of basic military training, the reserve component participants will receive material on the management of KDMP and KNMP for two weeks. “They will receive managerial skills for KDMP and KNMP so that they have managerial abilities based on their fields. With the training, they are expected to have basic military skills, integrity, cooperation, managerial skills, and be able to make quick and precise decisions in managing KDMP or KNMP,” Rana stated.

He conveyed that material related to KDMP will be provided by the Ministry of Cooperatives, while KNMP material will be provided by the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP). Rana emphasised that the entire series of training is not aimed at militarising civilians but rather at strengthening cohesiveness and the spirit of nationalism among prospective KDMP and KNMP managers. Rana assured that the Marine Corps will work optimally in training the prospective managers of KDMP and KNMP.