By: Prabowo Subianto [taken from the Book: Military Leadership Notes from Experience Chapter I]
When I was a Battalion Commander (DANYON) and Pak Djoko Deputy Battalion Commander, we managed to polish the pride of Battalion 328. After we had worked on it, Battalion 328 excelled in the area of operations.
Pak Djoko Santoso, who had been my deputy, surpassed me in terms of military career. But he was never arrogant.
For him, military rank is one thing, but he prefers to focus on his devotion to his country. In his political activities, he was willing to become a deputy to a retired Lieutenant General. That is an example of a great soul shown by Pak Djoko Santoso. Rame ing gawe sepi ing pamrih. He does not talk too much, but his actions speak louder than words. This is what I remember about him, and I think that is exactly how he was.
Pak Djoko Santoso was my deputy in the 328 Infantry Battalion when I was Battalion Commander (DANYON). Pak Djoko was a very intelligent man. He was a hard worker, very meticulous in his work, and thorough. So, at that time, I considered him my ideal partner in leading the 328 Battalion.
Together, we managed to considerably raise the 328 Battalion profile. We turned it into a battalion that excelled in operations and training, military sciences, a battalion with strong discipline, strong esprit de corps, virtually no desertion, and so on.
I thank God that Pak Djoko Santoso has surpassed me in military career. My highest rank was only Lieutenant General, while he was a 4-star general. He became the Army Chief of Staff (KASAD) and even the TNI Commander.
But he was always humble. Every time he got promoted, he asked for my time to visit me and report his promotion to me even after my retirement. When he was promoted to a 4-star general, he also asked for my time. But I refused, telling his aide, ‘Please tell Pak Djoko that he is a 4-star general while I’m only a 3-star general. Let me visit him instead.’
Pak Djoko refused. He considered me as his senior, as his former commander, and as his teacher so that he felt the need to report to me every time he was promoted.
His attitude moved me. We were both insistent. He wanted to visit me, but I refused. I wanted to visit him, but he refused. Finally, we compromised and met in a restaurant. Win-win solution.
That was my relationship with Pak Djoko Santoso. After his retirement, he was willing to join my party, GERINDRA, where I serve as its chairman while he serves as Vice-Chairman.
Imagine, for him, military rank is one thing, but devotion to Indonesia, the nation and the country always takes precedence. In his political activities, he was willing to become a deputy to a retired Lieutenant General. That is an example of greatness shown by Pak Djoko Santoso. ’Rame ing gawe sepi ing pamrih’. He shows his devotion in his actions, not in words. I remember that, and I think that is how Pak Djoko Santoso was.
