Marines on Physical Punishment for Kopdes Merah Putih Manager Candidates During Military Training: Not as Heavy as for Soldiers

Participants in the basic military training programme for the Sarjana Penggerak Pembangun Indonesia (SPPI) who are prospective managers of the Kopdes Merah Putih village cooperatives will face physical sanctions if they break the rules. This was disclosed by the Commander of the SPPI Training Battalion at the 1st Marine Brigade in Cilandak, Lieutenant Colonel (Mar) Agus Mutaqin, at the Marine Headquarters in Cilandak, East Jakarta, on Thursday. “For example, during morning roll call, if they are late, perhaps because they overslept, we give them a punishment of 10 or 15 push-ups,” Agus said. According to Agus, the imposition of sanctions is aimed at building discipline and increasing participants’ compliance with the rules during their education. Besides being late for roll call, participants can also be punished if they do not attend scheduled communal meals. He explained that eating activities are an important part of maintaining the physical condition of participants during the training programme. Therefore, violations of this rule also receive attention from the trainers. “We also carry out collective punishment, for example for not eating. Because eating is to improve our capabilities, if someone does not eat or does not join the others, we give a punishment so that it is not repeated the next day,” he stated. Although physical punishment is applied, Agus stressed that the form of sanctions given does not follow the standard for training TNI soldiers. Trainers adjust the level of punishment to the physical ability of each participant. In addition to imposing sanctions for rule-breakers, the trainers also give awards to participants who show achievement during the education. According to Agus, this reward system is implemented to maintain motivation and encourage participants to remain enthusiastic throughout all stages of the basic military training. To date, the implementation of basic military training for SPPI participants who are prospective managers of Kopdes Merah Putih is proceeding safely and conducively.