Can Pramuka Garuda Certificate Holders Skip TNI Recruitment Tests?

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Head of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) Public Relations and Media Office, Major General Muhammad Nas, denied that holders of Pramuka Garuda Certificates (Garuda Scout) could be accepted into the TNI without taking a test. He stated that all prospective soldiers are still required to undergo all stages of recruitment in accordance with applicable regulations.

"The decision to accept someone as a TNI soldier remains in accordance with Commander-in-Chief Regulation Number 179 of 2025 concerning the Provision of TNI Volunteer Soldiers," said Nas when confirmed on Friday, August 7, 2026.

According to the regulation, he said, every prospective soldier must undergo a series of selection stages, starting with administrative selection, medical examination, physical fitness, psychological, ideological, and academic tests, and ending with the final selection committee (pantukhir) meeting.

Nas stated that achievement documents, such as Pramuka Garuda certificates, can be considered by the committee during the soldier recruitment process. These achievements can add value to the administrative aspects. However, Nas emphasized that these certificates do not determine final graduation, as all participants must still meet all requirements and pass each selection stage.

Previously, Budi Waseso, the Chair of the National Quarter of the Indonesian Scout Movement (Kwarnas), stated that the Pramuka Garuda Certificate could be used as a requirement for recruitment into TNI and the National Police. According to the agreed-upon provisions, certificate holders are said to have the opportunity to participate in the selection process without taking a test.

"Every Garuda Scout, yes, those from the Penegak (enforcement) who meet the requirements to become a Garuda Scout, if they want to become a police officer, they can do so directly without a test. The same applies to the TNI, including universities, and now it's already underway," said Budi Waseso after a pilgrimage to Bung Karno's Tomb, East Java, Tuesday, August 4, 2026, as reported by CNN Indonesia.

Read: Prabowo Raises Military Allowances via New Perpres

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