Opening Ceremony at Seskoal for Dikreg 56
On 17 January 2017, Dikreg 56 commenced with 135 students, 6 of them being from overseas countries: Australia, Fiji, India, Pakistan, Malaysia and Singapura.
This year’s participant from Australia is Lieutenant Commander David Myers. The Staff College exchange program between Indonesia and Australia has been in place now for several decades. The exchange allows a free flow of information and ideas between officers of both navies. The program further builds upon the already recognised mutual goal of building person to person links.
Selection for the "Pendidikan Reguler" (Dikreg) each year is very competitive. Normally between 130 and 160 members of the TNI-AL of the rank of Major, are selected to attend the course. These local students are joined by up to 10 students from overseas. Prior to being selected, all students must undergo a series of tests including; psychological, academic and fitness. The chosen candidates initially compete with around 400 other candidates. Participation by foreign officers is an honour. It is a strong indicator of the importance of defence cooperation between our two countries.
The course commences in early January and finishes in early November. Students are placed under pressure throughout the training year as they are required to submit essays and reviews whilst completing their most important work for the year, the kertas karya peorangan Taskap. Foreign officers who attend Sekoal participate in all activities together with their Indonesian hosts.
Immediately after the opening ceremony, the inspektur upacara, KASAL ADM Ade Supandi addressed the attendees. He spoke about the importance of Seskoal as a career milestone and that the friendships made at seskoal can last throughout a lifetime. In a surprising turn of events he asked his friend and colleague from Dikreg-35, Captain Matt Brown the new Australian Naval Attache, to join him on stage, indicating that Seskoal is where new friends are made and old friends meet again in an environment of friendship and cooperation.
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