How the Junior officers combat instructor training course has strengthened TNI and ADF relationship for decades

The relationship between the Indonesian and Australian militaries continues to go from one strength to another. Find out how a ‘modest’ course has been building trust for decades.

Indonesian Army soldiers (Tentara Nasional Indonesia) listening to their chain of command after a section attack at the Junior Officer Combat Instructor Training Course held in Tully, November 2024. PHOTO: CPL Luke Bellman

Indonesian soldiers have put their grit to the test in the ultimate jungle challenge during an exercise that has strengthened Australia’s relationship with the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) for decades.

The junior officers combat instructor training course (JOCIT) has been conducted in some form or another since 1981, with exercises taking place in Indonesia or on home soil at the Tully Jungle training area.

Former commander of the combat training centre and the newly appointed commander of the 3rd Brigade, Brigadier Ben McLennan said while some activities are quite modest in size, they are all very meaningful towards the overarching relationship with Indonesia.

“The Indonesian army put their best young officers on these courses,” he said.

“What happens is they spend their formative training experiences in the very early stage of their career and what happens is 20 to 25 years later they are one star, two star or three star generals and they … say it’s one of the best things they’ve ever done.”

Indonesian Army soldiers (Tentara Nasional Indonesia) working as a team to get over the obstacle wall at the True Grit challenge at the Junior Officer Combat Instructor Training Course held in Tully, November 2024. PHOTO: CPL Luke Bellman

As part of the activity, junior TNI officers had to complete tasks such as assembling a rifle blindfolded, carrying stretchers through the jungle obstacle course, learning how to use the EF 88 Austeyr rifle and practising delivering orders.

Brigadier McLennan said it’s an incredible opportunity to have both militaries share knowledge with each other.

Indonesian Deputy Assistant for Training to the TNI Chief of Army Staff, Brigadier General Dwi Sasongko and Australian Officer Colonel Benjamin McLennan at a presentation in Tully, November 2024. PHOTO: CPL Luke Bellman

“Its all part of an effort by both nations to find ways to collaborate, to work with and learn from each other and in doing so build individual relationship but also the broader bilateral relationships, so it’s a very important contribution,” he said.

This comes off the back of the largest live fire exercise to ever be conducted between the two militaries during exercise Keris Woomera this year.

The Indonesian officers spent three to four weeks in Australia as part of JOCIT where they conducted their training in Tully jungle, while also engaging with the community through visits to Billabong sanctuary and playing sports on the beach.

Deputy assistant for training to the TNI Chief of Army Staff, Brigadier General Dwi Sasongko said exercises such as this are highly beneficial for the future of both armies.

“[JOCIT] is based on mutual trust, mutual benefits and mutual respect, which is very important,” he said.

“We face similar threats because we are neighbours and have a close border, so co-operation in military activities is very important.”

Originally published as How the Junior officers combat instructor training course has strengthened TNI and ADF relationship for decades