Photo By Staff Sgt. Orlando Corpuz | Army Sgt. Aditya Utoyo, a transportation management coordinator assigned to the Hawaii...... read more read more
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In packed conference rooms in Jakarta, Indonesia, dozens of U.S. service members are engaging with counterparts from the Indonesian armed forces. The discussions are broad in scope, from the friendly banter that garners international camaraderie to talks on Joint Operations Doctrine, which tend to take on more serious tones.
Though lasting friendships are being made and exchanging of ideas is taking place, one thing is evident - a language barrier exists.
For one Soldier, the language barrier is not an issue, comfortably conversing in Indonesian and English with ease. Army Sgt. Aditya Utoyo’s native tongue is Bahasa Indonesia, making him one of the most valued participants amongst the throngs of conference goers.
Raised in Indonesia before immigrating to the United States, Utoyo, a transportation management coordinator assigned to the Hawai‘i Army National Guard Joint Force Headquarters, has seen his fair share of overseas assignments in a military career nearly a decade in the making.
His mastery of Bahasa Indonesia and practical experience with Indonesian culture have brought him back to the country of his youth to act as both interpreter and cultural expert for the large contingent of U.S. service members participating in Exercise Gema Bhakti 2022 (GB22).
"It's really rewarding working with the Indonesian soldiers at the same time with other U.S. military services," Utoyo said. "I feel at home with both parties, to tell you the truth."
Utoyo is part of a wide array of experts assembled by the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) to participate in GB22. USINDOPACOM drew military expertise from all four U.S. Armed Forces service components and multiple U.S. Governmental agencies for GB22.
Gema Bhakti, Indonesian for "echo of good deeds," is a staff exercise between USINDOPACOM and the Tentara Nasional Indonesia (TNI, Indonesian Armed Forces). It is designed to improve joint, operational-level staff planning and processes and promote positive military relations.
"It's an honor to be part of this team, really," said Utoyo. "Being from both Indonesia and the U.S. I have a unique interest in seeing that this exercise is successful, and it really opens my eyes seeing how involved operations planning really is."
Working with service members from another country can be a daunting task. Still, Utoyo uses his Bahasa Indonesia language skills to smooth out the effort. While most exchanges between U.S. and Indonesian personnel go on without a hitch, Utoyo steps in when language nuances and subtleties need to be bridged.
"A lot of the Indonesian soldiers are amazed when we meet for the first time," said Utoyo. "I feel like when they discover that Iʻm originally from here, it goes a long way in making everyone feel comfortable."
Higher education brought Utoyo to the United States after graduating high school in 2009. While attending college on the East Coast, a chance encounter with an Army recruiter offered away to both pay for college and a path to citizenship.
A U.S. initiative called the Military Accessions Vital to National Interest (MAVNI) recruitment program offered Utoyo a pathway to citizenship. The program authorized the military to recruit qualified non-citizens whose skills were vital to the national interest.
Utoyo’s mastery of Bahasa qualified him for the program, and the rest is history. The fruits of the MAVNI program are evident when watching Utoyo ply his trade in the crowded halls of GB22.
"Joining the Army has been life-changing," Utoyo said. "When I was growing up, I never thought this could be a reality. Now I have two daughters who were both born in the U.S., and service has been so important to me and my family."
Being from Indonesia, Utoyo is naturally seen as a cultural expert. Not only does he serve as an interpreter, but he is a resource for fellow service members who have questions about Indonesian culture. For Utoyo, sharing Indonesian culture while being able to befriend Indonesian counterparts is the highlight of GB22.
Now in its tenth iteration, Gema Bhakti is proving to be a strong international exercise with staying power. Indonesia, along with other allies and partner nations, is an essential strategic partner in promoting regional peace and stability.
For Utoyo, Gema Bhakti provides an opportunity to do good for the two countries near and dear to his heart.
"If they ask me back, thatʻs an easy one," said Utoyo. "Yes indeed, I'd come back. It would be an honor to support the program as an interpreter for future engagements."
| Date Taken: | 09.13.2022 |
| Date Posted: | 09.13.2022 03:07 |
| Story ID: | 429163 |
| Location: | JAKARTA, ID |
| Web Views: | 647 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Hawai‘i Army Guardsman helps break down language barrier, by SSgt Orlando Corpuz, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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