Dual Functions of the Indonesian Armed Forces
Abstract
Since its foundation the Indonesian Armed Forces (IAF) have regarded themselves as a political and as a military force. Lacking professional training and low in modern armaments, Indonesian resistance took the form of guerrilla warfare in which there was no clear boundary between military and civilian life. They were organized into politically aligned irregular units as well as regular army forces and military leaders performed political functions as well as military role. The IAF molded the youths from the former Dutch Colonial Army (KNIL), the Japanese trained (PETA) and those who had taken up arms in the irregular units (LASKAR) to become the Armed Forces Founding Fathers with differences in background and intention. The nationalist movements in that period also molded the way of thinking of the founding fathers who in the future justified their continuing role in the political arena. The military claimed their right to continuous representation in the government, legislature and administration. At a seminar in 1965 the army produced a doctrine that declared the IAF had a dual function role both as a Military Force and as a Social- Political Force.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1991
- Accession Number
- ADA237689
Entities
People
- Rachmat Mokoginta
Organizations
- United States Army War College