Why is Officer PME important for the Indonesian Air Force?

Abstract

This study empirically examines the contribution of Professional Military Education (PME) to the development of the Indonesian Air Force (TNI AU). Based on quantitative survey data from a sample of 267 officers who graduated from the Air Force Squadron Officer School (Sekkau) and the Air Force Command & Staff College (Seskoau) between 2019 until 2024, multiple linear regression analysis was applied. The study findings indicate that five PME factors collectively explain 79.6% of the variance in air force development. Specifically, the curriculum, teaching methods, and quality control were statistically significant positive determinants. Conversely, the factors of teaching staff and research did not show a significant influence, implying the need for optimisation in both domains. The policy implications of these findings are the urgency for the Indonesian Air Force to prioritise systemic reforms in the curriculum, pedagogical innovation, and quality assurance mechanisms to accelerate the development of strategic capabilities among officers who are adaptive to modern operational dynamics.