PEMAKNAAN AYAH PRAJURIT TNI AD TERHADAP PROSES PENANAMAN DISIPLIN ANAK USIA DINI 5-6 TAHUN DI ASRAMA BATALYON ARHANUD 15 SEMARANG

Abstract

This study aims to reveal the lived experience of Indonesian Army (TNI AD) father-soldiers in maknai the process of instilling discipline in early childhood (5-6 years old) at the Arhanud 15 Battalion Barracks, Semarang. Using a qualitative approach with Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), data were collected through in-depth interviews, non-participatory observation, and documentation involving eight father-soldiers consisting of three officers, three non-commissioned officers, and three enlisted soldiers, selected purposively. Data were analyzed idiographically for each participant before being synthesized across cases. The results reveal three Group Experiential Themes: (1) fathers interpret discipline as a gradual process of character formation carried out through role modeling, habituation, and warm communication rather than rigid military-style command; (2) fathers experience their role as a continuous effort to balance military duty with parental presence, where the quality of emotional involvement matters more than the amount of time spent; and (3) the caregiving experience becomes a reflective process that shapes the fathers' personal maturity, deepens their appreciation for family, and strengthens their commitment to their children's upbringing. These findings indicate that discipline within military families is not merely a product of military culture but is actively reconstructed by fathers into a warmer, developmentally appropriate parenting practice.