JAKARTA - Former commander of the Indonesian Army's elite Special Forces Command (Kopassus), Colonel Inf. Charles Alling, has become the youngest general in the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), following the latest transfer announced some time ago.
In Decree No. Kep/1001/VII/2025, the TNI Commander, dated July 31, 2025, rotated and transferred 42 officers from the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Colonel Inf. Charles Alling's name was among the officers announced.
The Surabaya-born officer was promoted to Head of the Administration and Protocol Bureau of the Ministry of Defense's Secretariat General. This raises his rank by one level, from Colonel to Brigadier General.
This promotion makes him the youngest high-ranking officer or general in the TNI today. Alling, who turns 45 this year, is a 2001 graduate of the Indonesian Military Academy.
"I work by upholding the philosophy of doing my best, never giving up, and being willing to sacrifice," he said in a text message when asked about the trust placed in him, as quoted on August 7.
Alling has spent most of his military career, from graduating from the Indonesian Military Academy to the present, within the Kopassus (Special Forces). Within the Red Beret Corps, Alling served as Commander of Battalion 32/Group-3 Sandi Yudha Kopassus, before later serving as Commander of the Kopassus Intelligence Unit. Alling also served as Commander of Unit-81 Kopassus, Indonesia's elite anti-terror unit.
He has carried out numerous assignments at home and abroad, such as the Hostage Release Operation in Tembagapura in 2017 and Operation Nemangkawi I in 2018.
Internationally, Alling served with the United Nations Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and served at UN HQ. When Indonesia hosted the G-20 Summit, Alling was entrusted with the position of Commander of Team Bravo.
With a wealth of accomplishments in the field of duty, Alling also excelled in his education. In addition to his domestic studies, he completed a master's degree at the Australian National University, the Command and Staff College in Australia, a course at the NATO School, and even anti-terror training in Europe and Asia.
Alling is also an avid writer. In addition to winning various TNI scientific writing competitions, the 2021 Indonesian Army Kodim Commander of the Year has also published several books. These include "Blue Sky Above Naqoura: A Note from the Military Staff at UNIFIL" (2014) and "Maleo Team: Tembagapura Hostage Release Operation" (2017).
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