THE INDONESIAN NAVY Women serving in the Indonesian Navy
Admiral Malahayati (fl. 16th century) Malahayati was a heroic woman who served as an admiral in the navy of the 16th century Aceh Sultanate. She led the ‘Amada Inong Bale’ - the Widow’s Armada - a fleet of battleships crewed by 2,000 brave female warriors. Malahayati and her armada courageously sailed the eastern shores of Sumatra, the Malacca Straits and the western shores of Malaya to guard their kingdom and their nation. In June 1602, Malahayati’s fierce reputation as the guardian of the Aceh Kingdom led England to choose a peaceful, diplomatic method by which to enter the Malacca Strait. A letter from Queen Elizabeth I was brought by James Lancaster to the Sultan, and it was Malahayati who led the negotiation with Lancaster. The agreement opened the English route to Java, and they were soon afterwards able to build merchant offices in Banten. Elizabeth I rewarded Lancaster with a knighthood for his successful diplomacy in Aceh and Banten. Malahayati was killed in combat while attacking the Portuguese fleet at Teuluk Krueng Raya. She was buried at lereng Bukit Kota Dalam, a small fishing village 34 km from Banda Aceh. Today, Malahayati has become the namesake for naval ships, universities, hospitals and roads in several Sumatran cities.
FOREWORD CHIEF OF THE INDONESIAN NAVY I heartily welcome this special edition of the Indonesian Navy’s Women Corps “Kowal” magazine, containing interviews with nine women serving in the Indonesian Navy. Since the earliest days of its existence seven decades ago, the Indonesian Navy has had women serving in its ranks. This should not come as a surprise, since the tradition of women in naval service was established long before the independence of Indonesia, with Admiral Malahayati who led Aceh’s fleet in the 16th century standing out as an exemplary figure. Her heroic leadership remains a legacy to the present day and is carried on by the women in the Indonesian Navy. The women in the Indonesian Navy continue to prove themselves to be fully capable of maintaining the balance between their service in the Navy with their family responsibility. Indonesian culture rightly emphasizes the vital role of women in society and family. Yet, this has not hindered the women of the Indonesian Navy from fulfilling their service obligations as well. This is something that we should all appreciate, as naturally it is not an easy challenge to tackle. Today, women in the Indonesian Navy serve in a wide range of military occupations, from seaman on surface ships to naval aviators, military medical professionals, education officers and UN Peacekeepers. Based on their professional capabilities and merits several female officers have advanced to flag ranks. Later this year we will commission the first batch of female cadets from the Indonesian Naval Academy. The Indonesian Navy is committed to equal opportunities for men and women and I am sure that in the future, there will be more women serving at all levels and across more areas in the Indonesian Navy. Let me conclude by congratulating the Indonesian Navy’s Women Corps on the publication of this edition of “Kowal” magazine. I am confident that the real life stories and real insight contained within these nine interviews will serve as an inspiration and lesson for future generations. Jalesveva Jayamahe
Jakarta,
April 2016
The Chief of the Indonesian Navy
Admiral Ade Supandi, S.E., M.A.P.
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Women play a vitally important role in the Indonesian Navy. They do not have to serve right on the frontline, but they are not always at the back; women serve throughout the Indonesian Navy strengthening the entire system. We should not judge a woman by her rank or position, but by her dedication to her work. The most important thing is that a soldier is fully committed to their job wherever they are assigned. T.S.N.B. Hutabarat, M.M.S. CTG of Komodo Exercise First Admiral, Indonesian Navy
Women have been serving in ships at sea with the Royal Navy for more than 20 years and make an important and significant contribution to the fighting force. They have achieved success in many fields and have become pilots, observers, mine clearance divers, and have commanded Royal Navy ships. Women are now part of the submarine service, completing their integration into all seagoing branches; all roles in the Royal Navy are open to women. Colonel Adrian Campbell Black Defence AttachĂŠ of the Ministry of Defence of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in Jakarta, Indonesia British Embassy Jakarta
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CONTENTS 1
First Admiral Chrisna Murtyani, E. D.E.A. Expert Staff of Chief of the Indonesian Navy and Expert Staff of the Ministry of Maritime and Fishery Affairs
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Commander Zelvya P. Rika Commander of the Indonesian Naval Health School, Jakarta
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Lieutenant Commander Nani Kusmiyati Head of Sub Section of Language Teaching Education Services, Indonesian Navy
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Lieutenant Commander Eni Ambarsari Executive Officer, Jakarta Naval Aviation Base
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Lieutenant Commander Verra Nuradityaningsih General Secretary Officer, Navy HQ (Former UN Peacekeeper)
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Lieutenant Putu Dian Ekawati Personnel Officer - Naval Military Police HQ
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Master Chief Petty Officer Ni Ayu Tisna Intelligence Staff - Western Fleet Command
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Master Chief Petty Officer Grace Dova Videographer, Information Service of Western Fleet Command
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Petty Officer Second Class Azmiatul Hasanah Marine Corps HQ (Former Warship “Banda Aceh� 593 Crew Member)
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Female Navy officers attending the 53rd Anniversary of the Women Corps of the Indonesian Navy (Kowal) in Kolinlamil, Tanjung Priok, North Jakarta. January 5, 2016. (Tempo / Subekti)
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE WOMEN CORPS OF THE INDONESIAN NAVY The role of women in the Indonesian Navy, as the successors of Admiral Malahayati’s spirit, began in 1963 with the establishment of the Indonesian Women’s Navy Corps (Kowal). Following the struggle for the independence of the Republic of Indonesia, the introduction of women into the ranks of the Indonesian Navy was first considered during the development of the Navy in the early 1960s. The formation of the Navy Women’s Corps was first proposed by Commodore Yos Sudarso. One of the considerations was the need for greater efficiency and the realisation that some lines of duty were best conducted by women. The idea for a Women Corps in the Indonesian Navy was first realised in 1962 with the recruitment and training of twelve female Naval Officers. The first batch of Kowal (Korps Wanita Angkatan Laut – the Women Corps of the Indonesian Navy) was commissioned by the Chief of the Indonesian Navy, Admiral RE Martadinata at Navy Headquarters on January 5, 1963. This date has since been commemorated as the anniversary of Kowal. For over half a century, women have served in the Indonesian Navy with distinction. During this time the Kowal have continued to develop to meet the organisational needs of the Indonesian Navy. Women in the Indonesian Navy have demonstrated their skills and ability in a wide range of professionals roles, including serving at sea and commanding naval bases. In addition to service in the Indonesian Navy, members of the Women’s Navy Corps have served overseas on UN Peacekeeping Missions such as the United Nations Interim Force In Lebanon (UNIFIL) and the Mission de l’Organisation des Nations Unies en République démocratique du Congo (MONUC) in the Congo. Based on their professional capabilities and merits several ‘Kowal’ members have advanced to flag ranks. Today women continue to proudly serve across the Indonesian Navy. The Kowal motto “Service and Honour is my Soul” is a testament to their dedication to the state and the people of Indonesia. May Kowal always be glorious in making the finest contribution to the Indonesian Navy and the Republic of Indonesia. Jalesveva Jayamahe
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Women serving in the Indonesian Navy
First Admiral Chrisna Murtyani, E. D.E.A.
Expert Staff of Chief of the Indonesian Navy and Expert Staff of the Ministry of Maritime and Fishery Affairs
First Admiral Chrisna Murtyani what can you tell us about your current job? I am currently on secondment from the Navy and am working as an expert staff member at the Ministry of Maritime and Fishery Affairs. At the Ministry I work as an expert staff member specialising in the area of education and training. I work as a bridge between departments in the Ministry of Maritime and Fishery Affairs and also with the Indonesian Navy. I communicate policy made by our Minister Susi Pudjiastuti to the General Directorate as well as key external stakeholders. I really enjoy working here. However, unlike my many years in the Navy I no longer wear a uniform in the office when I come to work. Can you tell us how the Ministry of Maritime and Fishery Affairs and the Indonesian Navy work together? The Ministry of Maritime and Fishery Affairs and the Indonesian Navy work very closely together in a number of areas and initiatives. The Navy stands ready to support all Government initiatives to enhance Indonesia’s maritime strength. Many people are aware of the vital role the Navy plays in tackling illegal fishing in Indonesian waters. The Navy is happy to support the Ministry’s policy to seize illegal fishing boats and safely explode these boats out at sea. We recently sunk an illegal fishing ship, the FV Viking, in Pangandaran, West Java. The 1,332-gross-ton vessel was captured by the Navy in February and was on Interpol’s most wanted list. There are many other areas in which the Ministry of Maritime and Fishery Affairs and the Indonesian Navy work together. For example, we work together to protect Indonesia’s coral reefs, many of which are in damaged or in a heavily damaged condition. As part of the program, working together with the Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry and civil society organisations, the Navy is targeting to grow, monitor and protect coral in 54 locations inside 100 hectares of conservation areas this year. Can you tell us about your career in the Navy? I joined the Navy after talking to the wife of my lecturer back when I was at college. My lecturer’s wife was a major in the Air Force. She suggested I join the Navy women’s Corps ‘Kowal’. My first position, at First Lieutenant rank, was as an education officer at the Education and Command, Indonesian Navy in Surabaya. Since this first job I have worked in a wide range of roles ranging from teaching at the Naval Staff and Command College, working as Head of the Sub Directorate for Education Development at Navy Headquarters to serving as Commander of the Bandung Naval Base. In my career I have worked in many areas including education and leadership training and maritime security. As well as serving in different places in Indonesia I have been lucky enough to have completed joint training exercises, study tours and postgraduate education overseas in the United Kingdom, America and France.
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Can you tell us about your experience training and studying overseas? I remember going on a study visit to the UK in the early 1990s. I was part of a Navy delegation invited to visit Royal Navy facilities in Portsmouth. I also attended an impressive reception at a Royal palace in Greenwich. Later we invited British officers to come and speak at the Indonesian Naval Education and Command in Surabaya. I remember before our visit to the UK a group of us, including the current Vice Chief of the Indonesian Navy had some intensive English language training at the British Council in Jakarta to help us prepare. Later in my career I was supported by the Indonesian Navy to complete a Masters / Diplôme d’études approfondi at the Ecole des Hautes Etudes Science Sociale in Paris. I specialised in instructional system design. Instructional design is the practice of creating instructional experiences which make the acquisition of knowledge and skill more efficient, effective, and appealing. After returning from France I worked to share and implement the knowledge I had acquired throughout the Indonesian Navy education facilities. One of the best things about a career in the Indonesian Military is the opportunity for training and development both through our own Military education programs and through support to take part in training overseas and scholarships for academic study. You have succeeded in rising to the rank of First Admiral. What advice would you give junior female officers in the Navy who have just started their careers? First of all I would say congratulations on passing recruitment. Whether you are a man or women it is not easy to become an officer in the Navy. Many candidates fail at the recruitment stage. Some candidates fail because they are not physically fit enough, others do not pass the psychology assessment tests or lack the academic skills to enroll. Being a women in the military is also not easy, and not something that suits everyone. The military is a male dominated environment and, as a women, I would say that you need to develop certain skills and characteristics in order to be equally valued, recognised for your contribution, and promoted to higher ranks. Throughout my career I have recognised the importance of strong discipline, controlled behaviour and a strong determination to continue learning and study. As a women I am not as a physically strong as many of my male colleagues but my knowledge and experience gained through education has made me ‘strong’. This is the “”ammunition”” which has given me the confidence to express myself at any level and gain the respect of my male colleagues. I would advise young female officers to maintain strong discipline, to control their attitude, behaviour and manners and to continue studying. I would tell them to be brave and not afraid to speak up and voice their opinion. Women in the Navy women’s Corps ‘Kowal’ should absorb the ‘Kowal’ motto “”Dedication and Honour is my Soul””. I think that when women in the Navy are able to properly realise both ‘dedication’ and ‘honour’ at the workplace and in everyday life, then they can succeed and overcome whatever obstacles they may face. What do you think about the future role of women in the Navy? I am very confident and optimistic about the future role of women in the Indonesian Navy. The number of women serving in the Indonesian Navy is growing and women are now working in more diverse areas of the Navy. I think there is growing recognition of the ability and performance of women currently serving in the Indonesian Navy. They are doing a good job and their vital contribution is being noticed and valued. I am very happy that it is now possible for women to enroll as Navy cadets. Women will now receive the same military training as the men. Providing women with the same education and training opportunities as men is a great step forward towards greater equality in the military. Although we may not reach equality in terms of ‘quantity’ - there will always be more men than women - I believe that equality between men and women can be reached in terms of quality and performance. I hope that by providing women with the same training and education as men that women will be able to compete equally for positions in the Navy. If the Indonesian Navy provides women with high quality training then, I believe, that one day Indonesian women will be able to occupy strategic senior positions, including roles in the realm of operations. In future I believe it will be possible for women to command warships, or rise to serve as Fleet Commander, Vice Chief of Staff, and in other strategically important positions. There is a possibility that one day a woman may be appointed Chief of the Indonesian Navy.
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Women serving in the Indonesian Navy
Commander Zelvya P. Rika Commander of the Indonesian Naval Health School, Jakarta
What is your job in the Indonesian Navy? I am the Commander of the Indonesian Naval Heath School in Jakarta. I am responsible for training dental assistants and nurses for both military service and public practice. Previously I was the Sub Head of Military Dentistry at the Indonesian Naval Dental Health Institute where I was responsible for providing quality dental care to Indonesian military. Why did you decide to join the Navy? I decided to join the Indonesian Navy after graduating from the Faculty of Dentistry at the University of Trisakti in Jakarta in 1997.I joined the Indonesian Navy as I wanted a rewarding job that I thought would change my life. I felt that the Indonesian Navy offered a unique opportunity to do something special - and I was right. A career in the military offers many benefits. For example, it has provided me with a free education, free healthcare and the opportunity to travel. There is a famous saying in the Indonesian Navy “Join the Navy to see the world”. Would you say that this is true? “Join the Navy to see the world” has always been an extraordinary phrase for me. It was one of the reasons I joined the Navy and personally for me it has been true. The Indonesian Navy has given me several opportunities to see different places around the world by participating in various trainings or short courses and military dentistry seminars as a participant and, sometimes as a speaker. In the last couple of years I have been lucky enough to visit Australia, India, Singapore, Thailand and Brunei as well as many different places in Indonesia. What are the differences between working as a dentist in the Navy than being a regular public or private dentist? In principal, working as a military dentist or dentist in the public or private sector is very similar. However, there are some differences in training for military dentists. For example, military dentist need to learn how to do triage, forensic odontology, intubate patients and treat jaw fractures in emergencies situations in the field. As a military dentist in the Navy, we are assigned to combat units or forward support battalions. We assist in the loading and unloading of patients onto Navy aircraft that are transporting wounded personnel out of an area of responsibility to a military hospital. We also provide dental care onboard some ships. As a dentist in the Navy, one can have an opportunity to learn and practice military dentistry and look after the health of the soldier in uniform, their families and civilian personnel in peace and war. We are trained to protect our patients and ourselves. We are trained to save lives and work under extreme and unusual conditions. Joining the Armed Forces as a health professional gives us the opportunity to step outside the box and serve our nation and country in a special and unique way.
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Do you think that men and women are treated equally in the Indonesian Navy? I believe that in the military, especially in the Indonesian Navy, men and women are treated equally. One of the reasons I joined the Navy, was the knowledge that the challenges, rewards and opportunities are the same whether you’re a man or a women. Women in the Indonesian Navy have access to the same jobs, pay, training and promotion as men. It is true that in the Indonesian military women are currently prohibited from the majority of combat roles including special operations, infantry, and other ground roles which require a high level of physical performance. The military recognises that men and women have different physical qualities which led to the generation of a separate physical grading scale. There are just some things women can’t do on the battlefield, like lift a grown man and take him to safety. I believe that the military is a great place for women to learn practical skills that might be hard to come by in the civilian world. For example, military mechanics, engineering, logistics, medicine, and weapons training. What is the secret to a successful career in the Navy? From my point of view the secret to a successful career in the Navy is determination and perseverance. We have to push ourselves physically and mentally and be prepared for anything. In the military you never know what challenge you are going to face next. To be successful you need to have capability, dedication, loyalty and responsibility. The longer I’ve been in the Navy the more I realise how many great opportunities it offers, but often only if you’re willing and able to put in the effort and dedication to develop and succeed. When I joined the Navy, I decided that if I’m going to do this, I’m going to go all in. What would you say to young women considering a career in the Indonesian Navy? Joining the Indonesian Navy is a real honour as it gives you a chance to work alongside other brave personnel to protect Indonesian’s maritime territory. Working for the Navy is considered to be an honourable career, and a job with the Navy will give you great pride. Civilians will easily identify you as a Naval officer based on your proud attitude and will be proud of you too. If you are serious about joining the Indonesian Navy the first step is to learn more about the enrollment process and eligibility criteria to determine whether or not this is the right move for you.
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Women serving in the Indonesian Navy
Lieutenant Commander Nani Kusmiyati Head of Sub Section of Language Teaching Education Service, Indonesian Navy
Why did you decide to join the Navy? I grew up in military family. My father and both of my brothers served in the military. My father served in the Army in Manado, while one of my brothers served in the Army in West Borneo. My oldest brother served in the Navy in Surabaya. At this time I lived with my mother, and my other older brothers and sisters in Kediri, a small town in East Java. To be honest, joining the Navy was my first choice career. As a teenager I dreamed of being a ‘Navy woman’. However, I knew more than anything I wanted to go to university and study. In the end I applied to both the Navy and University at almost the same time, and was lucky to be accepted by both. I realised that whatever I studied, whatever interested me, I could find a career in the Navy to develop these interests. What skills have you developed during your career with the Navy? After being in the Navy for about a year I started to realise my academic and professional dreams. I successfully completed my diploma in 1992 at the Academy in Foreign Languages in Jakarta. Since then I have developed a number of different skills during my career with the Navy. To begin with I spent eight years teaching English at the Indonesian Ministry of Defence Language and Education Centre. I was fortunate enough to be sent to America and Australia to complete Defence language training courses and improve my English language teaching skills. One of the best things about being in the Navy is the opportunity for training – both here in Indonesia and overseas. Tell us about your experience working as a ‘Hajj Stewardess’ Yes, as well as working as an English teacher I have also completed a number of other professional assignments for the Navy. I spent almost a year working as a ‘Hajj Stewardess’ accompanying pilgrims from South Sulawesi. This was challenging for me because many of these pilgrims didn’t speak much Indonesian and so I had to find other ways to communicate with them. The advantages of the posting were that I enjoyed working alongside stewardesses from Garuda and of course I got to go on the Hajj too myself. Where did you serve as a UN Peacekeeper? In 2012 I was selected for a UN Peacekeeping mission in Lebanon to work as a Military Staff Officer in JLOC (Joint Logistic Operation Center) for a year. I remember looking at the blue sea and hills when we were approaching the UN interim force HQ in Naqoura and thinking how peaceful it appeared. However, despite this calm appearance there was always the potential for danger and we had to be alert at all times. I was responsible for handling the logistics for all contingents during the mission. During patrol we travelled up and down the hills in UNIFIL vehicles. We had to carefully select the safest road to reach our destination. Before every journey, it was mandatory to check the news and internet for any potential threats. If it wasn’t safe we identified a different route or different day to carry out inspections.
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What are the challenges of working overseas? Working in foreign countries with foreign militaries is challenging. The culture, the weather and being separate from my family were the hardest things for me. Understanding other people is the key to developing relationships. Getting to know my foreign colleagues overseas was essential for me to carry out my role effectively. What difficult obstacles have you had to overcome? In 2010 I was working for the Navy and completing a postgraduate Masters degree – I was the happiest professionally that I had ever been. However, 2010 also brought the saddest moment in my life. It was in this year that I lost my lovely first son. He died during a traffic accident on his way to school. He was almost 16 years old at the time. My sweet world turned bitter. I couldn’t believe what had happened. I cried and prayed to God to give me the strength to continue the rest of my life. My son’s smile and voice remains strong in my heart. He always supported me when I was on duty abroad and while I was studying for my masters. We enjoyed singing and dancing together. Usually, he played guitar and I sang for him. When I was sick he took care of me. Day by day, month-by-month and year-by-year since this terrible accident I have tried to move forward to continue my life. The support I have received from my Navy colleagues and superiors has helped to keep me strong. I have focussed on my job and raising my other son as best I can. What future plans do you have? At the moment I am fully committed to developing my professional skills as an English language teacher for the Indonesian Navy. I enjoy attending workshops as well as national and international English language teaching conferences. I want to work together with our team at the Navy Education Unit to provide the best language courses possible, using the latest materials and resources. When I retire – a long time from now! – I would like to have my own English language school and a book café. A book café would be a quiet place for students or professionals to read and enjoy a tea or coffee. In addition to this I would also like to travel more around Indonesia and other countries with my family.
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Women serving in the Indonesian Navy
Lieutenant Commander Eni Ambarsari Executive Officer, Jakarta Naval Aviation Base Tell us about your training to become a pilot for the navy? I graduated from naval training in 1996 as an NCO and was posted to serve on a warship (KRI) in the Eastern fleet in Surabaya. In 1999 I did my training to be a pilot at the Naval Aviation School in Juanda Surabaya for 18 months. For four months before flying anywhere, we had to learn the theory of flying such as the procedure of communication with the control tower, characteristics of the aircraft, mapping and navigation, as well as sea and jungle survival exercises. After completing the theory part of the training, we prepared for our flying lessons. We used small aircrafts called Tobago/TB 10. This aircraft has one small engine and is suitable for beginners. An instructor pilot taught every trainee pilot. We were taught how to take off and land safely. As our knowledge and experience developed we were allowed to take over the controls and fly the planes ourselves. This is usually called “solo flight”. In order to complete the training successfully, and be inaugurated as a Navy pilot, trainees have to collect 200 flying hours over an 18 month training period. What military aircraft do you fly? When I was working full time as a pilot I flew a range of different aircraft. I flew transportation aircraft such as the NC-212 Casa and also training aircrafts like Tobago/Tb 10. The NC-212 Casa is a medium aircraft that consists of two engines using propeller. It is used for transporting equipment, food, and personnel – it can carry 20 to 25 passengers. Paratroopers sometimes use this aircraft for parachute jumping exercises. This aircraft can land on a short runway and can fly at low altitude. For this reason the NC-212 can be used for maritime patrol. While the Tobago/Tb 10 is a light aircraft with one engine. This aircraft only has two seats for pilots and two seats for passengers. Does the navy have many female pilots? At the moment the Indonesian Navy has only three trained female pilots. However, there are two more women currently training become pilots at the aviation school in Juanda in Surabaya. You are currently working as the ‘Palaksa’ at Jakarta Naval Airbase. What does your job involve? At present I have been assigned to work as ‘Palaksa’ at the Jakarta Naval Airbase. In my role as ‘Palaksa’ I provide assistance to the Naval Airbase Commander. I am responsible for co-ordinating and controlling a wide range of activities at the Jakarta Naval Airbase.
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What would you say to young women considering a career in the Indonesian Navy? Women play a vitally important role in Indonesian military. Senior Commanders in the Indonesian military are committed to providing opportunities for women in the Navy to enhance their skills and experience. The Indonesian military is a great place to realise your dreams, whatever they are, whilst also serving our beloved country. What plans do you have for the future? My plan is simply to continue to do my job to the best of my ability, whatever assignment I am given. I also make sure that I spend time with my family. God and other people can assess whether I am doing a good enough job. I hope that I am. I stopped actively flying military aircraft in 2010 to have children. Although I am very happy in my current role as Palaksa at the Jakarta Naval Airbase part of me would love to climb back into the cockpit and fly again.
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Women serving in the Indonesian Navy
Lieutenant Commander Verra Nuradityaningsih General Secretary Officer, Navy HQ (Former UN Peacekeeper) Why did you decide to join the Navy? I grew up in a civilian family. My father worked for Pertamina, an oil & gas company, and my mother worked as a paramedic in an army hospital. Even though my mother served in the army hospital in Jakarta, I didn’t really know very much about the Indonesian military growing up, and I wasn’t really very interested. To be honest, when my friends asked me what I wanted to do after graduating from university. I didn’t really have a clear idea. However, everything changed when I watched a movie called ‘GI Jane’ starring Demi Moore. The movie tells a story about a woman undergoing tough physical training to join the US Navy Seals. In the end she is successful and becomes the first women to pass the recruitment test. When I watched the movie it really inspired me. I wanted to be like her. However, I didn’t know how or what I needed to do. I just told myself that I must finish university as fast as I could with good grades. How hard is it to get into the Navy? For me it was hard - very hard. After I graduated from university, I found out how to join the Indonesian military. Without any preparation, I applied and took the test. Unfortunately I failed because I hadn’t prepared any documents for the administration part of the test. Although I failed I never felt upset. While I was waiting for the next opportunity, I applied for other jobs. I worked in marketing for a container and shipping company. Even though I had a good position in the company, I didn’t feel satisfied. I knew in my heart I still wanted to join the Indonesian military. With better preparation, I applied to the military for a second time. However, I failed again. This time I failed because I was not well prepared for the fitness test. I hadn’t done any physical training and was not fit enough to be selected. With an open mind and heart I learnt my weakness. I didn’t give up. Finally, I succeeded at the third attempt to join the Indonesian military. With God’s blessing I was selected to serve in the Navy. Where did you serve as a UN Peacekeeper? In 2013 I was selected to serve on a UN Peacekeeping mission in Lebanon as a Military Staff Officer. I was deployed as part of MTF (Maritime Task Force) N1. I was responsible for a wide range of different tasks during my year in Lebanon. I was responsible for all issues related to manpower, and specific duties such as developing MTF policies on personnel matters, ensuring our standard operation procedures (SOP) was in line with UN regulations and national rules. While in Lebanon I learnt how to work together with people from different countries who have different cultures, traditions and knowledge. I managed to build good relations with military personnel from other countries and with local civilians. It was these experiences that gave me a special impression working on a UN mission.”
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Can you tell us about the CIMIC activities you were involved in? Whilst in Lebanon on the UN Mission I was involved in some CIMIC (civil-military co-operation) activities. I was asked to teach at public elementary school in a city in South Lebanon. I taught the children art and recycling. I really enjoyed teaching the children at this school. My MTF commander fully supported this initiative and helped support the school by raising money for a donation. The school teachers and students were very friendly and very happy to have our support. The UN is trying to boost the number of female peacekeepers. In your view what are the advantages of deploying female peacekeepers? Being a UN Peacekeeper in the mission was challenging for me as a women. Women have increasingly become a key part of the peacekeeping family. The presence of women can help UN Missions to encompass a broader humanitarian approach. Female peacekeepers are essential for a number of functions carried out by the military and the police. Women often play a key role in gathering information for early warning and human rights investigations. Women help screening and assisting female ex-combatants during disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) processes. Women also assist survivors of gender-based violence; and provide medical care to women in segregated societies. Today, there are approximately 125,000 United Nations peacekeepers: 4% military, 10% police, and more or less 30% international civilian staff. The responsibility for getting more women into peacekeeping lies with the individual countries that contribute military troops and police. Women are deployed in all areas and have made a positive impact on peacekeeping environments, especially in supporting the role of women in building and maintaining peace and protecting women rights. Female UN Peacekeepers can act as role models in the local environment, inspiring local women and girls, in often male dominated societies, to push for their own rights and for participation in the peace process. The presence of female peacekeepers can also help to reduce conflict and confrontation. In all fields of peace keeping, women have proven their ability in performing the same roles, standards and difficulties as their male counterparts. Women and men experience conflict differently and therefore have different perspectives on peace. Recognising and integrating these differences, known as gender perspective, into all aspects of UN peace operations is essential for the success of UN Peacekeeping missions. What future plans do you have? During the fourteen years I have worked in the Indonesian Navy I have been fortunate to develop my skills and experience through completing different courses. These range from academic and professional skills training through to more military speci c training, such as pre deployment training for UN Peacekeeping. The Indonesian military has provided me with a number of opportunities to complete intensive English language courses. Improving my English language skills means that I am now able to access and learn from a wide range of education sources online. I hope that by improving my English language skills I may one day gain a scholarship to complete a Masters degree overseas.
Lieutenant Commander Verra attending Pre Deployment Training (PDT) at the Indonesian UN Peacekeeping Training Centre (PMPP TNI) in Sentul, Bogor West Java for UN Military Observers and UN Military Staff. 2013
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Women serving in the Indonesian Navy
Lieutenant Putu Dian Ekawati Personnel Officer - Naval Military Police HQ Why did you decide to join the Navy? I decided to join to become a military officer, because I knew that a career in the military would offer a lot of military training opportunities both here in Indonesia and abroad. Through these activities I can expand my knowledge and experience and make new friends. When I applied for a TNI scholarship I registered for all three military services, the Army, the Navy and the Air Force. During the selection process I had to complete an administration test, an academic test, a physical test and a psychological test, conducted by the admissions committee. The results of the tests suggested that I join the Military Police in the Indonesian Navy. The Navy has seven corps: Sailors, Technician, Engineering, Finance, Health, Marines and Military Police. How hard is it to get into the Navy? To be honest I cannot say that it was particularly hard, or not hard to join the Navy. I simply completed the recruitment process alongside all of the other applicants. I just did my best in each section to achieve the highest score I was capable of. When I was selected as a female military police officer, I was surprised. This corps had only just been formed and I had been recruited as the first female officer. Alongside me six other applications were recruited as military police officers. They were all men. We get along very well and I do my best to compete with my male colleagues. I thank God that I was able to achieve this. Tell us about your job with the Naval Military Police HQ I have worked in several areas, such as Commander of Naval Military Police unit 3, Head of Planning, Program of Indonesia Naval Military division. When I became a Second Lieutenant, I was deployed on the UN Mission as a Military police officer with Garuda Contingent XXV-A/ UNIFIL Lebanon. I currently work as a Head of Administration for the Naval military Police. My responsibilities include preparing the military police personnel administration so that they are ready for their duty either for OMP (Military battle operation) or OMSP (Non Military battle operation). I must prepare their education, training, and personnel placements as well.
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What is your proudest professional achievement? That’s a tough question. I think my proudest professional achievement is serving with Garuda Contingent XXV - A/UNIFIL on a UN Peacekeeping Mission in Lebanon. This was the first special assignment for me as a woman military police on a UN Peacekeeping Mission. In total there were only four Indonesian women on this mission; one Army officer, one Navy Military Police officer, one Navy Military Police NCO and one Air Force NCO. UN Peacekeeping operations are constantly evolving and growing in complexity. These days UN Peacekeepers increasing play a greater role in providing broader humanitarian assistance. Women have become an increasingly important part of the UN Peacekeeping family. Women are deployed in all areas: police, military and civilian and have made a positive impact in peacekeeping missions areas – both in supporting the role of women in building peace and protecting women’s rights. In all fields of peacekeeping, female peacekeepers have proven that they can perform the same roles, to the same standards and under the same difficult conditions as their male counterparts. Representing Indonesia, serving as a UN Peacekeepers is my proudest achievement. Do you think that women have the same opportunities as men in the Navy? In my opinion, men and women have the same opportunities in the Navy. In all fields, women have proven that they can perform the same roles and achieve the same standards as men. I believe that it is important the we ensures that a gender perspective is integrated into all elements of the development of Indonesian Naval policy from initial planning to evaluation including, but not limited to: Personnel Recruitment, Placement, Assignment and Career Opportunities. What is the secret to a successful career in the Navy? For me, I think the most important factor to having a successful career the Navy is to have supportive unit and also to keep praying all the time. The support of your unit becomes one of the most important factors in achieving your goal because all of your tasks, whatever you do, are decided by your unit commander. Lastly, another important factor to have a successful career in the Navy is to have a supportive family. I work hard to make my family proud of me especially my parents, as I am their only child, and of course my husband and my sons. I am very fortunately to have a family that fully supports my professional career and encourages to me take opportunities to develop and move forward. As a woman in the Navy, my husband also totally supports me and accepts and understands that sometimes I have to be away from home for education, training and missions.
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Women serving in the Indonesian Navy
Master Chief Petty Officer Ni Ayu Tisna Intelligence Staff, Western Fleet Command Why did you decide to join the Navy? I grew up in a military family. My father and my brother are both in the Indonesia Air Force. When I was a young woman I was always interested when they talked about their activities and duties. I was also obsessed with their camouflage uniform - which I really liked. However, I wanted to different to them. After graduating from high school I directly enrolled with the female military school in Surabaya. My first duty was as navigation NCO on an Indonesian Warship “Teluk Cirebon 543” - we sailed all around Indonesia and even up to Thailand. Tell us about your job? I currently serve the Navy as a member of the Western Fleet Intelligence staff. It is my job to deliver near-real-time operational intelligence assessment to high-level decision makers. The careful consideration of this data is essential when making strategic decisions. Data analysis may not sound very exciting - but actually my work is very interesting. I am responsible for monitoring and analysing maritime activities that pose a threat to national security, such as drug smuggling, illegal immigration, arms transfers, environmental accidents and territorial violations all around the Western Fleet sea. Every day there is something different happening. What exactly does your work involve? In the office I am responsible for collecting and organising data from the field. For example, radio communication from ships at sea and from the Western Fleet Quick Response team. I also help to collect information from computers and satellite systems. I deliver this data to high-level decision makes in the Western Fleet Command. However, I’m not always in the office. Sometimes I go out on operational activities to gather information from the field. For example, sometimes I conduct on-the-spot urine checks on naval personnel to make sure that they are clean from illegal drugs and alcohol. It’s fair to say that sometimes some personnel can be a little bit scared to see me. What role does the Western Fleet Intelligence Staff play in tackling piracy in Indonesia? The intelligence team plays a key role in fighting piracy. We keep a close eye on the waters surrounding the west of Indonesia especially for activity by unknown ships which may be fishing illegally or sometimes are engaged in piracy. If we receive reports of unknown ships in the area then we pass on this information to the Western Fleet Quick Response team to investigate further.
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Sometimes we hear from civilian ships who have already been the victim of piracy. In these cases we also inform the Western Fleet Quick Response team who then chase down and capture the pirates. Whilst unfortunately there are still cases of pirates operating in Indonesian waters the efforts made by our team in Jakarta and the Western Fleet Quick Response team are helping to reduce the number of incidents. I am optimistic that every year there will be fewer and fewer piracy cases in the future. What is your proudest professional achievement? In February 2016 I completed a five-week training ‘International Professional Advanced Leadership’ (IPAL) course hosted by the US Navy at the Pensacola Naval Base in Florida. There were 14 participants from 8 different countries from around the world and I was the only female participant. I learnt a lot of new skills on this course as well as making new friends and I improved my English language skills. What future plans do you have? As well as my job as a member of the intelligence staff - as a member of the military I should be ready for anything from sports to the organisation of social events. During the Komodo exercise in Padang I will be working as an MC for some of the main activities. I’m really looking forward to the experience and meeting other Navy personnel from around the world. I also have responsibility as a wife and mother of two daughters. In the future I would like to learn more foreign languages which will help me to build better international relations as well as help my daughters with their education.
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Women serving in the Indonesian Navy
Master Chief Petty Officer Grace Dova Videographer, Information Service of Western Fleet Command Why did you decide to join the Navy? During my childhood I really liked travelling to different places, and visiting new places to have new experiences. I joined the Navy because I believed that a career in the Navy would give me more opportunities to visit other new places. And I was right, since joining the Navy I have been able to visit many different places all across Indonesia, including remote Indonesian islands which lie on the outer edges of our boarders. Travelling with the Navy has given me the chance see many places of natural beauty, to interact with different coastal communities, and learn about their culture and way of life. Tell us about your job? I am currently working as a videographer for the information service of the Indonesian Western Fleet Command. I am responsible for recording, editing still and video photography of Indonesian Navy operations and exercises and also documenting activities that happen at the Western Fleet Command. The films I make feature stories for military and civilian audiences. I am very proud to be the first female videographer for the Indonesian military and to work as part of the information services team at the Western Fleet Command. I hope, in the future I will be a part of Western Fleet History by my videography. Can you tell us about a difficult situation which you had to overcome? Being a military videographer for the Navy has its own specific challenges. We need to be able to work fast as a team and deal with any situation. There is a saying “When you join the Navy you need to be ready for anything�. I remember a particularly challenging situation I had when I was filming on board an Indonesian warship. I was filming an important exercise and my Commander needed an immediate report of the activity. However, we were in the middle of the ocean, near west Kalimantan. The mobile signal there wasn’t strong enough to send my film. In the end I travelled by lifeboat through huge waves to a nearby island. When we arrived at a nearby pier, assisted by local fishermen, I was finally able to send my report to the office. What is it like serving as a woman in the Indonesian Navy? Serving as a woman in the Indonesian Navy is special. I have many roles to fulfill both at work and at home. At work I am a professional woman working for the military in a predominately male environment. First of all, as a member of the military I need to serve the national interest of my country and must be loyal to my unit and my commander. When I am given leadership duties I need to be a good role model for my team. At home I have other additional roles to fulfil. I have to be a good wife who will take care of the needs of my husband and as a mother I need to take care of my son and raise him to be a good man.
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What future plans do you have? As a videographer I am keen to keep my professional skills up to date. I realise that in this current era technology is rapidly evolving. Therefore it is important for me to attend specialised training courses organised to continue to further develop my skills and the knowledge I have already gained. I think to have a successful career in the Navy we all have to keep on learning. What personal qualities competence do you think you need to be work in the Navy? I think there are many personal competences you need for a successful career in the Navy. First of all you need to be able to work effectively as part of a team, being in the military is all about effective teamwork. Whilst you will always have your military colleagues to support you also need to learn how to be self sufficient and independent as there can be times when you need to work away from home and your family. For example, I met my husband when I was studying at the female military school in Surabaya and he was studying at the Naval Academy. After we graduated my husband was ordered to serve at sea on a warship, whilst I worked at the Western Fleet Command in Jakarta. We sometimes had to wait many months before seeing each other. While my husband was away I had be able to solve all problems at home independently. One of the good things about the Navy is that it’s becomes your second family and there are always people there to support you and help you develop the skills and qualities you need.
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Women serving in the Indonesian Navy
Petty Officer Second Class Azmiatul Hasanah Marine Corps HQ & former Warship “Banda Aceh” 593 Crew Member Why did you decide to join the Navy? When I was in senior high school I was responsible for flag duty in Palembang. I remember being very impressed when I saw the female military trainers who were going to teach us the correct way to perform our duty. I really liked the uniforms they were wearing. I thought the uniform was really cool. This moment was the beginning of my interest in joining the Navy. Tell us about your job? After I graduated from the female military school I started work as a general administration staff at the Western Fleet Command in Jakarta. About a year later I was sent to work on board one of the largest warships in the Indonesian fleet - Banda Aceh 593. On board the ship I was responsible for logistics, general administration and VIP visits. Living and working on board the warship I learnt a lot about how a warship is controlled and how all of the equipment on board the ship works. Getting the opportunity to work on the Banda Aceh was extraordinary for me - as not many women have had the chance to live and work on that ship before. What did you like about serving on board a warship? There are lots of good things about working on board a big warship at sea. For me I enjoyed looking out to sea early in the morning during sunrise when, if you were lucky, you could sometime see dolphins. I also enjoyed the camaraderie with my friends on board - we used to sing a lot of songs and play sports. What is the role of the Banda Aceh 593 warship? In times of conflict or peace the Banda Aceh warship plays a number of very important roles for the Indonesian Navy. First of all the ship helps prevent conflict. The stability of our nation depends on the freedom of the seas. The presence of warships such as the Banda Aceh are key to achieving this. The Banda Aceh patrols help safeguard sea trading routes which are important to Indonesia’s economy. The warship also stands ready to provide humanitarian assistance when natural or man-made disasters occur. In early 2015 I took part in the search and recovery operation following the crash of Air Asia flight QZ8501 from Surabaya to Singapore. There were no survivors from this accident and our mission was to salvage parts of the wreckage and recover bodies from the sea.
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What is your proudest professional achievement? Being in the Navy offers me lots of challenges. Recently I was lucky to be able to join the Navy freefall team. I am very happy about this as the training is very challenging and it is another new experience. So far I have completed 61 parachute jumps some of which have been from 10,000 feet. I am very proud of this achievement as there are not many women in the freefall team. What future plans do you have? I am very proud to be a woman serving in the Indonesian Navy. I will give everything that I have for this country. I have only been in the Navy for 3 years and at the moment I do not have a long-term plan for the future. The most important thing for me is simply to do the best I can. What would you say to young women considering a career in the Indonesian Navy? For my little sisters out there who want to join the Navy I would tell them that it is a very good opportunity - the Navy is an extraordinary place where there are so many different opportunities, which you might not find in other professional areas. The Indonesian Navy will help you develop your talents and keep you fit and healthy. Being a woman in the Navy is very special because even though we are women we are given the opportunity to work equally alongside men. Do not give up and keep trying. If you work hard success will follow.
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PEACEKEEPING ENGLISH PROJECT MANAGER BRITISH COUNCIL INDONESIA The British Council Peacekeeping English Project works closely with the Indonesian Military to make long-term sustainable improvement to English language teaching and learning across the Indonesian Defence Forces. We work to develop language skills to open doors to international education and training. We aim to improve mutual understanding in order to build closer relations and strengthen international co-operation. The British Council is delighted to work with the Indonesian Navy to produce this publication of interviews highlighting the vital role women play across the Indonesian Navy. Colm Downes M.A. Peacekeeping English Project Manager British Council Indonesia
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT This publication is the result of a collaborative undertaking between The Indonesian Navy’s Women Corps “Kowal” and The British Council. This publication was made possible through support provided by the Indonesian Navy and the UK Ministry of Defence. Cover Image The painting of Admiral Malahayati on the front cover is reproduced with kind permission from Mr Husnison Nizar, Head of the Maritime Museum, Jakarta. Photographs Colm Downes, British Council Indonesia. Page 6, Image by Subekti (Tempo) Three navy women on warship by Dian Triyuli Handoko (Tempo) Design and layout JXL Design Co. (www.jxldesign.com) Copyright First published by the British Council Indonesia, April 2016 Contact colm.downes@britishcouncil.or.id All rights reserved no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, transmitted in any form, or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publishers.
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