Soldiers battle boredom, homesickness

Soldiers battle boredom, homesickness

A'an Suryana, The Jakarta Post, Lhokseumawe, Aceh

For many soldiers tasked to crush separatists in Aceh, watching TV or VCD films, or hunting birds during their spare time is a favorite way to kill time and to stave off homesickness for the first months.

First. Lt. Anan, a soldier of the Baladhika regiment deployed in Panton Laboh district, North Aceh, could not hide his excitement when a group of journalists visited the district on Thursday and had a chat with the soldiers.

Anan, a member of the Army's elite unit Kopassus, who has been assigned for 11 months in the restive province, told the journalists that he hoped his commander would allow him to return home after his 12-month assignment ended next month.

Recalling all his experiences in the district over the last eleven months, Anan was hopeful of an approval from his superior to go home, where he hoped he could turn over a new leaf and live a normal life with his parents, brothers and sisters in his hometown in Jakarta.

"In month's time I will be leading a normal life. But, I must prepare myself for the worst, that my assignment in the war zone may be extended for another year," he told The Jakarta Post.

Many other soldiers shared similar experiences and problems. Most soldiers deployed in Aceh find themselves easily bored.

It is therefore not surprising then, that a low-ranking soldier told Army Chief Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu in a recent dialog with soldiers in Banda Aceh that they needed entertainment to cope with boredom in the war zone.

Patrolling, launching raids and attacks, guarding posts, or staying in the military bases has all become a routine job.

Lt. Col. Echsan Sutardji, commander of an infantry battalion in the remote Idi Rayeuk district in East Aceh said all military groups under his command in the regency had TV and VCD players.

Another military officer said that the routine nature of the job not only made the officers feel bored but also killed their fighting spirit.

Some felt frustrated, while others used their spare time to exercise and other individual activities to maintain their fighting spirit.

"The morale of the soldiers is sometimes low following a tiring operation to hunt separatists and a long deployment in the region," said the officer whose battalion from Sulawesi would get its turn for replacement next month.

The soldiers revealed what was most frustrating was the kind of war they were facing and the difficult terrain.

"Most soldiers are facing an armed rebellion in forests and swampy areas, territory they are not familiar with, and at the same time an underground movement amid the people.

"Soldiers are risking their lives since it is difficult to identify the enemy because rebels are living among civilians or are hiding in remote and swampy forests," said another soldier who declined to be identified.

He insisted that his fighting spirit would not die until GAM gave up and accepted the legitimate government.

Following the deployment of 30,000 soldiers and 10,000 police personnel for the military offensive on May 19, the military has shot dead more than 400 rebels and arrested more than 670 others and 75 percent of the territory of four million people has been brought under control.

Another group of soldiers taking a bath in a river in the jungle in Nisam district, for example, was surprised and very happy when the journalists threw several packs of cigarettes to them on the river bank. They also waved and made gestures to two female TV reporters among the journalists.

Interestingly, both military and police personnel use their uniforms and bring their firearms with them to avoid any suspicion among themselves and to be ready for any emergency.

It is not surprising to find off-duty soldiers in complete military attire carrying a gun or rifle on the streets or in traditional markets.

Soldiers who have been deployed for five years or following the establishment of the Iskandar Muda Military Command last year do not experience homesickness because their families are permitted to stay here with them.