By: Prabowo Subianto [taken from the Book of Military Leadership 1: Notes from the Experience of Lieutenant General TNI (Ret) Prabowo Subianto]
Pak Sutiyoso, a graduate of the ’68 Academy, was someone I had seen from a distance during my time in Kopassus. He was in Group 2 in Magelang while I was in Group 1 in Cijantung and in Batujajar. Although our paths did not often cross during our service, I knew that he had been involved in various operations, including infiltration missions in East Timor under Pak Dading Kalbuadi.
Pak Sutiyoso was known for his humor and his involvement in numerous field operations. He was also famous for his hobby of shooting moving targets.
During his time as the Operations Assistant of Kopassus, he contacted me when I was still serving as the Commander of Brigade 17 Airborne. He proposed to Pak Tarub that I become the Commander of Pusdikpassus in Batujajar.
Although I had aspired to continue leading the prestigious 17 Airborne Brigade, I recognized the importance of the Education Center in Batujajar and its role in training Indonesia’s elite forces. I agreed to Pak Sutiyoso’s request in order to influence the quality of training and trainers at Batujajar.
During my tenure as the Commander of Pusdikpassus, Pak Sutiyoso provided me with strong support. He had previously served as the Operations Assistant in Kostrad while I was the Commander of Brigade, and we both operated under the leadership of the Pangkostrad. I considered him to be a very patriotic individual, devoted to the red and white of Indonesia. He also had a great sense of humor. These are the qualities of the senior officers and mentors who nurtured me during my military career.
