The Faculty of Psychology at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), in collaboration with the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) Psychology Center, held an information session on the recruitment of Career Officer Candidates (Perwira Prajurit Karier or Pa PK) for the second recruitment wave of the 2026 fiscal year on Thursday (October 8). The event was conducted in a hybrid format, with an in-person session in Room A-203 of the UGM Faculty of Psychology and an online session via Zoom.
The event featured representatives from the TNI Psychology Center and the Psychology Services of the Indonesian Army, Navy, and Air Force. Organized by the Professional Psychology Education Study Program, the session was intended for alumni and students of the program. A total of 48 participants attended in person in Room A-203, alongside those who joined via Zoom.
In her opening remarks, Pradytia Putri Pertiwi, S.Psi., Ph.D., Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, and Cooperation at the UGM Faculty of Psychology, noted that psychologists are more commonly associated with careers in schools, industry, and healthcare. However, national defense also offers opportunities for professional contributions, ranging from psychological assessments to intervention development.
“It turns out that psychologists also have opportunities to contribute, particularly in the field of national defense,” she said.
She added that the UGM Faculty of Psychology and the TNI have maintained a longstanding partnership, including collaboration on psychological assessment instrument development and mental health intervention development. She expressed hope that the partnership would continue and encouraged participants to use the dialogue session to obtain information directly from the speakers.
“Make the most of today’s information and opportunities to engage in dialogue with the speakers, ask questions, and explore the possibilities,” she advised.
Representing the TNI Psychology Center, Navy Colonel (Special Corps) Ari Yudha Kartika, M.Psi., Psychologist, expressed hope that more UGM Faculty of Psychology graduates would join the TNI psychology community. He noted that cooperation with the faculty began with the development of assessment instruments and knowledge sharing. He emphasized that practitioners in the field must continually return to the foundations of their discipline.
“Every action must be grounded in theory so that we do not lose touch with the fundamentals,” he said.
He also emphasized that empathy is fundamental to the psychology profession in every field. “The fundamental principle of psychology is empathy,” he stated.
Within the TNI, psychologists are responsible for selection processes, including assessing personnel readiness for training, overseas assignments, and weapons use. Their responsibilities, however, extend beyond selection. TNI psychologists also provide support to victims of natural disasters and accompany military personnel during operations in conflict areas.
He explained that the TNI Psychology Center operates under the TNI Headquarters and is led by a senior military officer. Each branch of the armed forces also has its own psychology service. This year, the TNI is opening recruitment opportunities for psychology graduates through the Pa PK program.
The presentation session featured speakers from the psychology services of all three branches of the TNI: Myfevalovenita Eriskat Prudentya, S.Psi., from the Army; Ihsanul Hadi, S.Psi., from the Air Force; and Yudhistira Arya W., M.Psi., Psychologist, from the Navy.
Yudhistira, representing the Navy Psychology Service, explained that university graduates can become officers through the Pa PK selection process and will undergo training to become Indonesian Navy officers.
“I would like to emphasize once again that you will undergo training to become officers,” he said.
Career progression, including promotion requirements and further education opportunities, is formally regulated. He emphasized that working in the TNI is not simply about earning a living, but also about career development. The TNI requires personnel from diverse academic backgrounds, including psychologists who contribute to social and community-related fields.
Through this initiative, the UGM Faculty of Psychology hopes to strengthen its institutional partnership with the TNI while encouraging students and alumni to contribute their expertise as psychologists within the armed forces.
Writer: Erna Tri Nofiyana