Jakarta. Indonesia has begun training hundreds of civil servants to serve as part of a military reserve force, expanding a national defense program championed by President Prabowo Subianto as he seeks to strengthen discipline and national identity within the state bureaucracy.

The initiative allows civilians to undergo basic military training and be mobilized in times of national emergency.

Lieutenant General Gabriel Lema, head of the National Reserve Agency at the Defense Ministry, said the program is a strategic effort to build a stronger foundation for national defense beyond the armed forces.

“This is part of a national agenda to reinforce patriotism and preparedness, both now and in the future, through the formation of reserve components via basic military training,” he said at the launch event at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base on Wednesday.

In the first phase, 1,773 civil servants from 55 ministries and government agencies have enrolled in the program, slightly below the initial target of 2,000 participants. Officials said additional recruitment rounds will follow to close the gap.

The government aims to train a total of 4,000 civil servants as reserve personnel in 2026, with the program to be rolled out in multiple waves.

Participants will undergo around six weeks of basic military training, with graduation and formal induction into the reserve force scheduled for early June. The curriculum is designed to develop physical fitness, discipline, and mental resilience.

Indonesia introduced the reserve component program in recent years as part of broader efforts to modernize its defense posture and involve civilians in national security. The scheme remains voluntary, including for civil servants at both central and regional levels.

Officials say the program is also intended to improve coordination and performance within government institutions, as participants are expected to apply the discipline and teamwork gained during training when they return to their respective offices.

“We hope this sense of discipline will not only stay with individuals, but also translate into stronger institutions,” Gabriel said.

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