My impression of Pak Yunus Yosfiah’s leadership is that he is always calm, never frantic, and never nervous. His leadership is an example of self-control. A commander who panics, faints, or fails to act upon contact with the enemy loses his authority for good. This is why the first exchange of gunfire is said to be decisive. Pak Yunus is also a strong-willed figure who will do anything to achieve victory and does not accept any excuses. He is often seen as too harsh on his men, with a reputation for checking on his troops himself and making sure everything is in order. Those who made mistakes would be tasked with physical punishments like marching with a heavy backpack or doing pull-ups. This strict preparation is seen as crucial for success on the battlefield, where shock and fear are common.
I first got to know Pak Yunus Yosfiah during an operation in East Timor, where he led a Special Team known as Nanggala 10. This team was formed to speed up operations in December 1975-January 1976 and consisted of officers who had recently passed commando training. I joined Group 1 Para-Commando/Kopassandha after passing commando training in December 1975. Pak Yunus led this team, and I had the opportunity to see his leadership up close. He led by example, carrying the same heavy load as his men during missions. His philosophy of ing ngarsa sung tulada, leading from the front, was evident in everything he did. This act of sharing the burden with his men earned him their respect and loyalty.
During a marathon in 1984, Pak Yunus demonstrated his leadership once again. While running together, a friend of mine and I wanted to give up, but we couldn’t because Pak Yunus was running alongside us. His ability to remain calm and composed in any situation was truly admirable. His unwavering determination to achieve victory and his strict discipline made a lasting impact on me and shaped me into the person I am today.
Pak Soegito, on the other hand, was known for always being with his men during operations. He believed that a leader must be among his troops, leading by example. This hands-on approach to leadership earned him great respect from his subordinates.
