The Ministry of Defense proposes promoting generals to higher ranks ahead of schedule.

The Ministry of National Defence is seeking feedback on the draft Decree stipulating the criteria and standards for accelerated and premature promotion to the rank of general.

According to the drafting agency, Clause 4, Article 17 of the Law on Officers of the Vietnam People's Army of 1999 (amended and supplemented in 2014 and 2024) stipulates that officers on active duty who achieve exceptionally outstanding accomplishments may be considered for accelerated promotion, but not exceeding the highest rank for the officer's current position or title.

Military parade and march commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory.

However, the law has not yet assigned the authority to specify the criteria and standards for considering accelerated promotions to the rank of general, so the implementation process lacks a legal basis for considering accelerated promotions for officers.

The Law on Officers of the Vietnam People's Army also stipulates the promotion of officers ahead of schedule. However, it has not yet assigned competent authorities the task of defining the criteria and standards for considering early promotion to the rank of general, so there is no legal basis for considering proposals for early promotion to the rank of general.

Based on the draft, the Ministry of Defense has proposed new criteria and standards for considering accelerated promotion to the rank of general.

Accordingly, officers whose current rank is two or more ranks lower than the highest rank for their position or title (e.g., General), and who have successfully completed their duties and achieved exceptionally outstanding results within the specified timeframe, may be considered for accelerated promotion upon receiving one of the following awards (excluding awards based on seniority or years of service):

The following medals are awarded: Gold Star Medal; Ho Chi Minh Medal; First-Class Independence Medal; First-Class Military Merit Medal; First-Class Labor Medal; First-Class National Defense Medal; First-Class Combat Medal.

State honorary titles: Hero of the People's Armed Forces; Hero of Labor; Ho Chi Minh Prize.

During their term in office, officers may only be considered for promotion once, and only by one rank; the awarding of medals, state honorary titles, and prizes must take place within the term of their current rank.

In cases where an officer achieves multiple accomplishments within their tenure, only the highest achievement will be considered for accelerated promotion. Other cases will be decided by the competent authority.

Regarding the criteria and standards for early promotion to the rank of general, the draft clearly states:

Officers of the Vietnam People's Army who achieve outstanding accomplishments in combat, work, or scientific research may be considered for promotion to the rank of general ahead of schedule upon being awarded one of the following forms of state medals or honorary titles (excluding awards based on seniority or years of service):

The types of medals awarded include: the Gold Star Medal; the Ho Chi Minh Medal; the Independence Medal (First, Second, and Third Class); the Military Merit Medal (First, Second, and Third Class); the Labor Medal (First, Second, and Third Class); the National Defense Medal (First, Second, and Third Class); the Combat Achievement Medal (First, Second, and Third Class); and the Medal of Courage.

State honorary titles: Hero of the People's Armed Forces; Hero of Labor; Ho Chi Minh Prize.

During a term of office, a person may only be considered for promotion to the rank of general ahead of schedule once, and the awarding of medals, state honorary titles, and prizes must be within the current term of office. The time period for an early promotion to the rank of general shall not exceed 12 months.

Source: https://www.baogiaothong.vn/bo-quoc-phong-de-xuat-thang-quan-ham-cap-tuong-vuot-bac-truoc-thoi-han-192241101143054032.htm