Trapped in the Tatmadaw
The following is an excerpt from a very revealing and informative interview conducted with Su Thit. Her husband had been a soldier in the Burmese military, and despite the great personal risk they undertook in doing so, they chose to escape the Tatmadaw and join the people’s democracy movement. What is more, even while still in deep hiding themselves, they have established an organization called “Spouses of People’s Soldiers,” which encourages more soldiers to throw down their weapons and encourages a nonviolent resolution to the terrible conflict that continues to rage in Myanmar. Take a look at her inspiring words in this excerpt, and consider sharing this to friends in your network who may wish to make a financial contribution towards a project that can ultimately save many lives.
“My husband and I wanted to be on the right side of history. We wanted to be on the people’s side and stand for justice.”
Host: Thank you for coming on today. May I first ask how comfortable you feel in taking on the topic that follows in our upcoming talk? Do you have concerns with being so open in your criticism of the Tatmadaw?
Su Thit: I think Tatmadaw is a place where soldiers and their families have lost their human rights. Because everyone is being controlled by orders from above, even though it is wrong or unfair for them.
Criticizing the military force that is ruling the country with guns and bullets is not without concern. I fear for the safety of my family and other loved ones. And I fear for the safety of myself and my husband even though we are in a safe place now. The future is uncertain, but we must keep our concerns aside and work for the revolution.
Host: You married Htet Myat, who became a soldier in Myanmar’s military. I would like to learn more about his experiences there, and your experiences as a military wife, before the coup.
Su Thit: Well, I would like to talk about experiences of the soldier’s wife more than about him. After I was married, all of the soldiers I have met were friendly. I haven’t met the kind of cruel soldiers that we see on news after the coup. I was shocked to know that such cruelty had existed inside the military. Maybe it was hidden; maybe I just didn’t see. But whatever it is, it is a shame for any organization, especially one that is supposed to be protecting the people, to be committing such cruel acts upon innocence civilians. This is one of the reasons why we join CDM movement.
My husband and I wanted to be on the right side of history. We wanted to be on the people’s side and stand for justice. Just before the coup, my husband was in Pyin Oo Lwin for training. After the coup, I encouraged him to join the CDM movement, and he himself wanted to join the people as well. He was very saddened to hear and see the brutality committed upon peaceful protestors. But joining CDM movement is not as easy as packing a bag to go to the beach. It was very hard, especially because the military is always monitoring its soldiers. He had to plan very careful to leave the base. That is why, we were only able to join the movement in June.
Host: I understand that wives and families live in military compounds. Can you tell me about life behind the walls here?
Su Thit: Yes, wives and families live in military compounds. In there, soldiers’ wives have to do chores for wives of other soldiers who are higher ranked. For example, if you are a captain’s wife, you have to do for chores for the wife of the major. And that wife may have to do chores for the wife of the colonel. It is an unfair and unjust system. To be honest, I don’t know who makes these rules, but it is there as part of the institutional culture. That is why we must change and reform the entire institution.