Aussie jungle-warfare experts in Indonesia

Specialist jungle warfare instructors from the Australia Army’s Combat Training Centre (CTC) have been in Indonesia working closely with the Indonesian Army to conduct the Junior Officer’s Combat Instructor Training (JOCIT) course.

CAPTION: Indonesia Army Junior Officer Combat Instructor Training course trainees take part in the obstacle course challenge as part of Exercise True Grit with Australian Army instructors in Indonesia. Story by Lieutenant Douglas Mayfield.

The annual JOCIT course offers the opportunity for Australia and Indonesia to increase their capability and interoperability, which is an important enabler of Australia and Indonesia’s strong security and defence partnership.

Taking part this year is CTC instructor Captain Gareth Hughes, who said he was pleased to see the positive capability outcome for both the ADF and the Indonesian Army.

“JOCIT presents the opportunity for both nations’ defence personnel to develop enduring relationships,” Captain Hughes said.

Following a hiatus in 2020 because of COVID-19, 150 junior Indonesian Army commissioned and non-commissioned officers undertook the two-week intensive course conducted at the Cipatat Training Area in West Java.

As part of the program, students undertook training in dismounted and mounted jungle warfare, field craft, including lessons on tracking, scouting and section tactics, and the employment of armour and offensive support in jungle terrain.

Students also undertook training in tactical combat casualty care and military planning.

Captain Hughes said the course was an outstanding success, with students demonstrating great enthusiasm and competence, quickly adapting training into practice.

“We also had the opportunity to work with fantastic [Indonesian Army] instructors who provided significant assistance throughout the course, especially with helping us to bridge the language barrier,” he said.

“The level of integration between their instructors and ours was excellent across the board and highlighted the growing defence relationship between our two countries.

“For all of the ADF contingent, JOCIT has been an amazing experience, which, for many, has been a career highlight.”

JOCIT 21 culminated with several activities, including platoon-level attacks and ambushes and a section-level endurance activity involving a store and stretcher carry, blindfolded weapon assembly, obstacle crossings and physical fitness challenges.

Upon successful completion of the training program, students qualified as junior combat instructors.

The top graduates are invited to undertake a reciprocal Australian-based JOCIT course early next year, to be held at the Tully Training Area.

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