"Good shooter" and the sweat has not dried yet

At 6am, the mist had not yet cleared from the grass of the training ground, and new groups of soldiers were already forming up in formation. AK submachine guns glistened in the morning light, ammunition belts were neatly arranged on their chests, and the privates' eyes showed tension and excitement.

On the shooting range for the first test, all positions were ready. The guards, medics, security, all departments were in position. At exactly 7 o'clock, the first command from the range commander rang out decisively. Then immediately after that came the familiar sound that still startled people: the loud, crisp sound of gunfire and bullets whizzing in the summer sky. Each round of shooting was not only a technical exercise, but also the first test of will, courage and maturity after 3 months of intense training.

New soldiers of Regiment 833, Bac Ninh Provincial Military Command participate in the AK submachine gun shooting test, lesson 1.

Amidst the gunfire, a young soldier stood quietly at the edge of the field, squinting at each target. It was Private Nguyen Viet Anh, Battalion 1. Having just finished his round of shooting, he was informed that he had scored 73/90 points, a good result, but not the best. “I felt my hands were still shaking a little…”, Viet Anh shared, then smiled lightly: “But I am happy because I shot with the right technique, the right movements, and completed the test absolutely safely.”

Commendation for the soldier who tested the AK submachine gun shooting and achieved excellent scores.

Many faces lit up with happiness when they heard the shout of “10 points!”. With each round of shooting, the training ground erupted in applause. In the ranks, Private Nguyen Binh Quan was the one who made his comrades the most excited when he was given the “good shooting flower” pinned on his left chest. It was a small reward, but anyone who had ever trained new soldiers understood its great value.

“For the past 3 months, we have practiced every day from early morning to late afternoon. Some days were windy and dusty, some days were scorching hot. But with the dedicated guidance of the squad leader and platoon leader, I was able to perfect each key point and each movement. Today, during the test, I am determined to do my best so as not to let down the commander and my teammates,” Quan said, smoothing his hat strap, his voice low but proud.

Dynamite: Stay Calm in Every Action

If the gunshots are thrilling, the explosives test requires absolute precision and caution. In sweat-soaked uniforms, soldiers need to perform sequential movements: properly packing explosives, assembling and connecting explosive devices, and then moving to a safe detonation position.

Private Pham Dang Su, after completing the exam with honors, was still emotional: “I told myself to stay calm. Every little action had to be precise, not only to get a high score, but also for the safety of myself and my teammates.”

The breath-holding moments before pulling the trigger did not deter the soldiers. They understood: Today’s training ground was a stepping stone to the battlefield, where the future might require much greater courage.

New soldiers of Regiment 833, Bac Ninh Provincial Military Command participate in explosives inspection.

To achieve high results, not only the efforts of each soldier are needed, but also the decisive participation of the entire command system. Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Xuan Tien, Deputy Regiment Commander, Chief of Staff of Regiment 833, said: “Since receiving the task of training new soldiers in 2025, the unit has focused on preparation from training cadres, building training grounds, lesson plans, to training safety plans. In particular, the Party Committee and Regiment Commander always closely follow each training content, promptly drawing experience after each training session to overcome weaknesses.”

The motto “basic, practical, solid” is always thoroughly implemented in each lesson. Not only training techniques, the unit’s cadres also attach importance to political and ideological education, helping soldiers understand the meaning of each lesson, each explosion. That it is not only a skill, but also a soldier’s responsibility to the Fatherland.

The first step of maturity

The results of the 833rd Regiment’s “3-bang” test were truly impressive: The AK submachine gun shooting lesson 1 was quite good, and the wrapping, explosives, and grenade throwing were all excellent. These numbers are not only achievements, but also milestones in the maturity of young soldiers, from the first day they entered the army, still fumbling with the gun strap, to the time when they stood firmly to shoot, confidently threw grenades, and handled explosives.

Commendation for the soldier who tested the AK submachine gun shooting and achieved excellent scores.

Somewhere, sweat still remained on the back of the shirt, footprints were still imprinted on the sand of the training ground, but the eyes of the new soldiers were brighter, stronger, more steadfast.

“The past 3 months have not been an easy journey, but today's explosions have confirmed that we are ready for the long journey ahead,” said a young private, echoing across the training ground like a promise: The soldier has grown up from his first challenges in life.

Article and photos: VAN HUNG

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/quoc-phong-an-ninh/quoc-phong-toan-dan/chien-si-moi-trung-doan-833-bo-chqs-tinh-bac-ninh-va-dau-moc-dau-tien-830260