For Our Unity

Chapter XIV: Changing the Colors

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2 July 2034, 0600 hour, FOB Merdeka, Rangkasbitung, Lebak, Banten.

PFC. Abraham Goenadi, 2nd Squad, 1st Platoon, A Company, 190th Pelangi Nusantara Volunteer Infantry Battalion, National Volunteer Force.

Two of my best friend has been recovered and now we are all combat-ready. The entire battalion has been assembled in the FOB. 

At 0615 hour I can see an Army NH90 helicopter arrived in the base's helipad and a tall man arrived with his full combat gear with Pindad G3 Combat pistol in the hip and was carrying a Pindad SS4 assault rifle which mostly issued to the regular army. I can see he is an officer with 2nd Lieutenant insignia. Behind him, is our battalion CO Lt. Col Paulus Wambe (he has been promoted from Major four days ago) together with several guards and another older-looking officer disembarked from the second helicopter. I caught the glimpse of  the older-looking officer's two-star insignia, indicating he is a Major General. 

A convoy of armored trucks of various types and SUVs were also later arrived in the base.

Lt. Col. Wambe, flanked by his XO, Major Khalid Wahyudi began his briefing after the battalion was put in attention. "Ladies and gentlemen, as we know, the 1st Platoon in the A company has lost it's CO (permanently injured) because of an RPG strike. And today the said platoon will have its replacement. Lieutenant Rustanto, you can introduce yourself."

The Javanese officer later speaks, "Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. My name is Second Lieutenant Sanjaya Rustanto. Military Academy (AKMIL) Class 2032. I was assigned to command the 1st Platoon of the A Company of this battalion. I previously assigned in the 15th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Mechanized), 3rd Infantry Division Siliwangi  before being transferred." 

"...Let me say this to you, West Java was still a big mess. Commies and Jihadists were still fighting each other while occupying a number of its cities and villages both on the north and south coast. Your battalion CO has briefed me that you will be redeployed to the province. So get ready. Any questions?"

Later the general addressed us. 

"Ladies and gentlemen, good morning!" 

"Good morning sir!" We replied.

"Still eager everyone?" He definitely tried to rile us up for the next mission.

"Sir, yes sir!"

He later continued "Tak kenal maka tak sayang. I'm Major General Maruli Siagian, your overall commanding officer from the Greater Jakarta National Guard. The people and the Army were proud of your success against these so called Islamic state as well as the resurgent Communists in Banten. My counterpart, Brig. Gen. Ali Mustopo from Banten Guard, has said to me that he, together with his men has been helped much by your presence. And after this, General Mustopo will relieve his command of your battalion back to Greater Jakarta. He had also recommended, and approved, a "Samkaryanugraha Dharma Kesatuan, Pratama (1)", and battle honor "Banten" to your standard."

And then, another awarding ceremony, but this time, a unit decoration. The general presented us with our own battle standard containing a streamer indicating the award, a "superior unit commendation". The standard is orange-colored with the half-arc rainbow (red, orange, green, and blue) imposed on a gold-colored shield and a number 190, symbolizing the defense of our sovereignty. We also took pictures for information purposes. 

A lot of journalists were present.

After lunch, we were once again assembled but this time, in a more secure atmosphere (all journalists and other civilians have left the camp), to prepare for our redeployment to Bandung-Majalengka sector. Lt. Col Wambe began his briefing. "Time of departure to Bandung is 2100 hour, by a special military train from Rangkasbitung station that will stop in Manggarai station, then, it will continue to Bandung. Your vehicles have been already on your way to Bandung since a day before yesterday. Get yourselves a good rest because this will be a long trip. Any question?"