Military cadets bring pride to parents, nation

Military cadets bring pride to parents, nation

JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto inaugurated 729 cadets as
officers yesterday in a full military ceremony at the State
Palace, a ceremony that brought pride and joy to the nation.

But perhaps no one was prouder than the parents of the cadets,
particularly Sutan Nurdin A, the father of Second Lieutenant Dato
Rusman, who clinched the top honor among the Navy cadets.

For Sutan, whose home on Flores Island was swept away by a
tidal wave in 1992, Rusman is the ninth of his 11 children, and
the third to be inducted into the military.

Himself retired from the police force as a sergeant major,
Sutan has been working someone else's farm while his wife has
done some trading in order to raise money to send their children
to school. All 11 have made it.

"Our entire lives have been dedicated to educating the
children," the proud Nurdin, accompanied by his wife, said after
the ceremony. "The children are God's mandate. By God's will, we
managed to send them to school so they could become `someone.'"

Rusman clinched the Adhi Makayasa award as the best Navy
cadet. His older brother is Police Major Djunaedy, chief
detective at the South Jakarta precinct, while a sister is now
studying to become a policewoman.

Proud

It was a moment to relish, particularly for the top cadets
from the other services. Sapto Widhi Nugroho from Bandung (West
Java) was top of the class at the Army college, Ridha Hermawan
from Cianjur (West Java) topped the Air Force college and Albert
Teddy Benhard Sianipar from Medan (North Sumatra) was the top
graduate of the Police Academy.

"Of course I'm proud," said Soewarno, Sapto's father. "I
encouraged him to join the military, but most of the decision
came from him."

For Hermawan, it was a special day because President Soeharto
came up to him during the ceremony for a brief chat.

Hermawan said he never expected to become the top of his class
although he had always tried to do his best. For him, the
inauguration was a dream come true. "I've always wanted to become
a pilot," he confided.

President Soeharto, as the Armed Forces supreme commander,
took on the task of inducting all the new officers himself. The
Army college inaugurated 252 cadets, the Navy 148, the Air Force
102 and the police another 227. All were promoted to second
lieutenants.

"During your education, you all underwent grueling mental and
physical training. You have obtained an officer's education and
training. You are equipped with leadership qualities. You deserve
to be promoted as officers," Soeharto said in his speech.
(rms/emb)