As Danjen Kopassus, Brigadier General Djon Afriandi: Professional, Modern And Adaptive Only Is Not Enough

The ceremony was handed over by the Kopassus unit from Major General TNI Deddy Suryadi to Brigadier General Djon Afriandi. (Fauzi / VOI)

JAKARTA - Soldiers of the Indonesian Army's Special Forces Command (Kopassus) are not enough to be only professional, modern and adaptive, but must also have character, said TNI Brigadier General Djon Afriandi on Friday.

The main leadership of Kopassus has officially transferred from Major General TNI Deddy Suryadi to Brigadier General Djon Afriandi, after handing over positions at the Army Headquarters this morning.

Maj. Gen. Deddy said that the various training experiences up to the field of duty owned by Brigadier General Djon would bring Kopassus to be better in the future.

"Today afternoon, we officially hand over the Kopassus unit to Brigadier General Djon Afriandi in full and complete," said Major General Deddy after the handover ceremony at the Cijantung Makopassus, Jakarta, Friday, March 8.

"Mr. Djon is not a foreigner in Kopassus. Of course, the experience of training, fighting, in the area of operation is quite a lot, familiar. We are sure that Kopassus will advance further," continued Major General Deddy, who is now trusted as Pangdam IV/Diponegoro.

Meanwhile, appreciating the leadership of his predecessor, Brigadier General TNI Djon said he would continue the good things that had been done and invite all his troops to build Kopassus with a heart.

"Let's build Kopassus with our hearts. Give the best of our ability, make Kopassus a professional, adaptive, modern and still based on faith and piety to God Almighty," he exclaimed.

"The priority is to continue what is good. We must be professional, adaptive to the current developments, and must follow technological developments. So that Kopassus soldiers are expected to be modern in the future," he explained.

However, being professional, modern and adaptive is not enough for a Kopassus soldier. We hope that he also has a strong faith and piety, so he has a great character. It can support professionalism, be adaptive to him and can use all modern technology properly and appropriately," he said.

Born in Payakumbuh, West Sumatra on June 14, 1972, Brigadier General Djon Afriandi is the son of Major General TNI (Ret.) Afifuddin Thaib, SH with Surja Bhakti (mother).

Brigadier General Djon graduated from SMAN 2 Bandung, as well as graduated from the Military Academy in 1995 and holds the title Adhi Makayasa. He has a Master of Science in Defense Analysis from Naval Postgradute School (NPS) in the United States.

Starting his career in the Red Beret in Group-1, Brigadier General Djon held the top position in the unit as Commander of Group-1 in 2016-2017. Apart from that, he has held various classy positions, ranging from Danden-1 Group A Paspampres, Assistant Danjen Kopassus, Danrem-12/Teuku Umar to the Military Academy Danmentar.