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)