Asstra: TNI Commander Values Military Professionalism Must Change to Face Multidimensional Threats

JAKARTA - The concept of military professionalism in Indonesia needs to adapt to changes in the increasingly complex nature of threats. Combat capabilities are considered important, but are no longer enough to answer security challenges in the era of multidimensional threats.

This view was conveyed by the Assistant Strategy (Asstra) of the TNI Commander, Marsda TNI Budhi Achmadi, in his article entitled "Old and New Military Professionalism in the Indonesian Perspective" which was published on Saturday, June 27.

According to Budhi, the threat to the country is no longer limited to war or military invasion. Terrorism, cyber attacks, technological disruption, natural disasters, pandemics, and food and energy crises require the TNI to have broader capabilities.

"Military professionalism is not only measured by combat ability, but also by the capacity to adapt to various strategic challenges of the nation," wrote Budhi.

He explained that the classical concept of military professionalism introduced by political scientist Samuel P. Huntington places the military as an institution that focuses on state defense, stays away from practical politics, and is subject to civilian authority.

However, the development of the strategic environment gave birth to a new concept of professionalism developed by Alfred Stepan. In this view, the military is also required to be able to face internal threats, maintain national stability, and support state development.

The two-star general assessed that the change is increasingly relevant for Indonesia as an archipelago country facing layered challenges, ranging from natural disasters, cyber threats, to regional geopolitical dynamics.

"In such a situation, limiting the professionalism of the TNI to conventional combat capabilities is actually a too narrow view," he said.

He reminded that the TNI Law had given the TNI the mandate to carry out Military Operations Other Than War (OMSP), such as disaster management, terrorism handling, border security, humanitarian assistance, and assisting the government in certain conditions.

According to Budhi, the experience of the past few years shows that the TNI has played an important role in handling the Covid-19 pandemic, national logistics distribution, border security, underdeveloped area development, as well as humanitarian operations and disaster management.

However, Budhi emphasized that the expansion of the role does not mean returning the military to the realm of practical politics. All TNI tasks must remain within the democratic corridor, subject to the constitution, and carried out based on the political decisions of the state.

He assessed that the thoughts of Samuel P. Huntington and Alfred Stepan did not need to be disputed. According to him, Indonesia needs a TNI that has world-class combat capabilities and is able to adapt to the ever-evolving non-military threats.

"The professionalism of the Indonesian military is not only about the ability to manage armed forces, but also to provide security and resilience for all Indonesian people," wrote Budhi.