Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian marines combat training program with the United States becomes a means to forge close, long-term friendship, National Defense Force (TNI) Commander General Andika Perkasa stated.

"Do you know that they have an impression during the joint training? That impression will be remembered throughout their (the TNI soldiers') lives," he remarked through his official YouTube channel on Saturday.

When these TNI soldiers will rise within the chain of command, such as reaching star general rank, then their special memory of the joint training will certainly be remembered, he remarked.

"They would have a good memory of undergoing training with the Marine Expeditionary Unit. This will make the future of Indonesian marines to become better," he explained.

These soldiers will also gain values that Perkasa deemed to be the most important. They should receive all of this and the friendship, he stated.

The marine joint combat training is part of the joint training with the Super-Garuda Shield (SGS) that had been held in August 2022.

Under the joint training, Perkasa was also joined by leading the Indonesia-US special troop to fight against targets in the training.

During the occasion, Perkasa was also officially promoted to become honorary member of the Indonesian Navy Marine Corps Purple Beret Fighter Troops.

This promotion was conducted during a ceremony led by Indonesian Navy Chief of Staff, Admiral Yudo Margono, at Todak Dabo Singkep Beach, Riau Islands.

"This plan has been in the works for a long time, at least around seven months ago," Commander of Indonesian Navy Development and Education Command Lieutenant General Suhartono noted.

"Then, we deliver the aspiration of the Marine Corps to the commander," he stated.

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Translator: Boyke Ledy W, Fadhli Ruhman
Editor: Suharto
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