Configuration of Resources and Moral Strength of Retired TNI Soldiers in Efforts to Build the Indonesian Nation & State
Author: Jacob Ereste
Freelance Journalist
Moral commitment, ethics, and nationalism have been possessed by all soldiers of the Indonesian National Army (TNI) in carrying out their duties as state servants. The soldier’s oath has also been pronounced during the inauguration of each personnel when inaugurated or appointed after undergoing basic military education. This soldier’s oath marks the commitment of soldiers who are loyal to the country, uphold honor and obey the law and superiors. Therefore, the attitude and nature of TNI soldiers always have high discipline. That is the figure of TNI soldiers since officially holding the status of TNI soldiers.
Since then, TNI soldiers will always be firm in upholding the Sapta Marga, as a code of ethics for soldiers who are devoted to God Almighty, uphold humanitarian values and uphold Pancasila and the 1945 Constitution.
Therefore, TNI soldiers do not need to be doubted for their Pancasilaist attitude, obedient and faithful to the 1945 Constitution by understanding the entire contents and meaning of the goals and ideals of Indonesian independence.
Even in the text of the Sapta Marga — as a code of ethics for every TNI soldier, without exception — it firmly states loyalty and will always keep promises as has been made an oath for a soldier. This means that every TNI soldier will always be consistent and committed to realizing their promises, not being ambiguous or hypocritical.
In fact, in the Sapta Marga, TNI soldiers vow to uphold discipline, obey their leaders, and uphold the values of honesty, courage and responsibility in every action when carrying out their duties. Therefore, the honesty, commitment, consistency and sense of responsibility of TNI soldiers can always be maintained and safeguarded in every behavior of their daily lives, not only when on duty, but also in socializing with the community. People.
In the professional ethics of TNI soldiers, they have pledged to uphold the honor and dignity of soldiers — not just for themselves, but for the corps — as well as the good name of the Indonesian National Army — not only limited to the TNI-AD, TNI-AL and TNI-AU alone, but as a whole from the existing TNI dimensions. That is how Sapta Marga — as the code of ethics of the TNI soldier profession — is pronounced at every official military ceremony such as when attending education, inauguration events, briefing events to official unit events to remind the identity of TNI soldiers, in order to strengthen and affirm the values of struggle and devotion as tough and true patriots.
From the routine Monday-Thursday discussion of GMRI (Indonesian Moral Reconciliation Movement), June 9, 2025 with Sri Eko Sriyanto Galgendu who was once a Consultant to the Chief of Staff of the Army, General George Toy Suta, he saw that there was a kind of orientation category of retired TNI officers in the era of President Prabowo Subianto’s administration, so that it can be said that there are elders and statesmen, then there are those who remain in the circle of power, there are also those who are active in business with conglomerates, but there are also those who are busy being active in political parties, but quite dominant are those who are within the framework of the Greater Indonesia Retired Association which fully supports the real work of President Prabowo Subianto’s administration, although there are also those who are critical of moving with the community, such as the elderly retired TNI officers who are busy filling their retirement by living comfortably with their families while gardening, or simply filling their old age in a more relaxed way away from the noise and chaos of politics or other matters. According to Sri Eko Sriyanto Galgendu, the seven orientations of retired TNI officers are quite indicative of the diversity of positions, views, and socio-political roles after completing their duties from the state which are truly heavy and full of responsibility. Therefore, according to Sri Eko Sriyanto Galgendu, as the Spiritual Leader of the Archipelago who has relatively established and has a wide network with various groups, he honestly admits that he has received a lot of support or moral support personally from his relations which are quite extensive and have various figures and professional backgrounds, including community leaders from various professions and other fields of work. Therefore, the voices, criticisms, and demands of the retired TNI officers that have been officially and openly conveyed to the DPR-MPR RI should and need to be responded to more wisely, because the voices of the retired officers who have contributed to the state and nation of Indonesia are quite representative of the voice of the people, said Sri Eko Sriyanto Galgendu expressing his views from a spiritual perspective.
Banten, June 11, 2025
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