Our first impression when arriving at Company 1, Battalion 1, Regiment 152 was the neat and clean unit landscape. Every new soldier raised his hand to salute according to the order. Some comrades with busy hands stood at attention and loudly said: "Hello, Commander."

As the morning inspection time approached, Private Vo Duc Thanh (Squad 7, Platoon 2, Company 1) was still editing his internal affairs. Thanh confided: “The most difficult thing for me these past few days has been arranging my internal affairs. Because my blankets and mosquito nets were not folded as neatly as my teammates, I took advantage of a few minutes before the commander’s inspection to edit them.”

Going with the commander of Battalion 1 to inspect the training ground under the March sun with the rising sea vapor making the weather even more hot, we saw the young soldiers still diligently practicing the explosive packing content. Everyone practiced with a sense of urgency but very carefully, meticulously performing the correct technique of installing explosive devices. When the packing was completed, the soldiers' faces were radiant, excitedly showing off their "products" to their teammates. Through that confidence, it showed that the new soldiers were familiar with the Army environment, no longer feeling bewildered like the first days of enlistment.

New soldiers of Squad 9, Platoon 5, Company 2, Battalion 1 (Regiment 152, Military Region 9) practice wrapping and assembling explosive devices.

Private Nguyen Minh Giap (Squad 9, Platoon 2, Company 2, Battalion 1) wiped the sweat from his forehead and shared: “For me, the content of wrapping and assembling explosive devices is very difficult, each movement must be performed precisely, otherwise it is very easy to be unsafe. Therefore, during training, I was very focused, if there was anything I did not understand or was unclear about, I immediately asked and was enthusiastically guided by the squad leaders and platoon leaders.”

Moving to the training ground next door, we witnessed the new soldiers of Platoon 3, Company 2, Battalion 1 enthusiastically practicing shooting AK submachine guns, lesson 1, sweat soaking the backs of their uniforms. Waiting until break time, I asked Private Nguyen Trung Tinh (from Chau Thanh district, Hau Giang province) and learned that before joining the army, Tinh had graduated from Can Tho Vocational College and had a stable income, but because he loved the green of the soldier's uniform, he volunteered to join the army. "The training content requires high concentration, so sometimes I am afraid that I will not be able to complete it well. Thanks to the attention, enthusiastic help, and "hand-holding" of the officers at all levels, I gradually get used to it and become confident. I am determined that in this training session, 100% of the content will be good or excellent, especially the "3 explosions" test will be excellent, considering it a gift for my parents, friends, and unit leaders who have encouraged, cheered, and helped me in the past time," Private Nguyen Trung Tinh boldly confided.

According to Captain Cao Thanh Tam, Political Commissar of Battalion 1, the quality of new soldiers this year is quite even. After more than a month in the unit, 100% of the new soldiers are mentally secure, have a good understanding of their tasks, the vast majority have integrated into the military environment, are ready to receive and complete assigned tasks well.

We learned that in order for new soldiers to feel secure in their work, the officers of the 152nd Regiment's squads have focused on doing a good job of forecasting, regularly grasping and promptly resolving the ideological situation; paying attention to ensuring good material and spiritual life, organizing many recreational activities during breaks, breaks, and holidays, creating a joyful and exciting atmosphere with the spirit of "The unit is home, officers and soldiers are all brothers". Promoting the achievements and experiences of previous years, the units have actively innovated the content and methods, improved the quality of training; combined military training with political education, built a civilized lifestyle, and at the same time trained soldiers to be conscious of strictly following discipline.

To motivate soldiers to strive actively, the Regiment also directed agencies and units to promote emulation and propaganda activities, promptly commend and reward typical and advanced collectives and individuals; combine the peak emulation period "Lightning Speed - Determined Victory" with organizing many activities in response to "Youth Month", "March Border Month"... to create a vibrant and exciting atmosphere for new soldiers to enthusiastically train.

Article and photos: HUU NHIEN

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/quoc-phong-an-ninh/xay-dung-quan-doi/chien-si-moi-vung-buoc-tien-len-821652