Colonel VO XUAN SON, Political Commissar of the 283rd Air Defense Brigade, 4th Military Region:

The guarantee level should be appropriate for the type of unit.

Circular 138 has yielded many important results and meanings in improving the cultural and spiritual life of soldiers, contributing to strengthening confidence, determination, building internal solidarity, and enhancing the overall quality and combat strength of units. However, through implementation, some contents of the circular have revealed points that are not entirely suitable to reality, somewhat affecting the effectiveness of caring for the spiritual life of soldiers. If not adjusted in time, it may lead to a decrease in the attractiveness of official cultural activities, while the diverse streams of information on the internet are increasingly impacting the thoughts of soldiers.

Regarding the draft Circular amending and supplementing Circular 138, I generally agree. The amendments are updated to reflect reality, especially the adjustments to increase the guaranteed allowances, the addition of new types of cultural activities, and the emphasis on applying information technology and digital transformation in cultural and spiritual activities. In addition, the draft basically retains the standards for the People's Army Newspaper, while adding provisions for newly established units, which is also very necessary. For a long time, the People's Army Newspaper has been a source of spiritual nourishment and a close companion, providing much useful information for soldiers. To ensure the circular truly comes into effect, I would like to propose the following: Further review and adjustment of guaranteed allowances should be carried out in a flexible manner, suitable to the specific characteristics of each type of unit (combat-ready units, units stationed in remote areas, border regions, and islands...). Increase investment in modern cultural facilities such as digital library systems, audiovisual equipment, and controlled internet access to meet the needs of soldiers for accessing official information. Diversify the content and forms of cultural activities, focusing on interactive and creative activities that suit the psychology of young soldiers. Closely link the implementation of cultural and spiritual life with the task of building strong, comprehensive, "exemplary and outstanding" units, considering this an important criterion in evaluating unit quality.

Break time on the training ground for new recruits of the 88th Regiment, 302nd Division, Military Region 7. Photo: LE TIEN

Colonel PHAM VAN MINH, Political Commissar of the 29th Signal Brigade, Military Region 9:

Consider adding some more equipment.

As a communications unit with many remote stations and posts far from the main unit, the soldiers' cultural and spiritual lives still face considerable difficulties, while the demands for developing military culture are increasingly high. Meanwhile, some regulations, norms, and standards under Circular 138 are outdated, inadequate, and no longer suitable for the practical operations of a unit leading the digital transformation of Military Region 9. Therefore, amending and supplementing this regulation is very necessary. Regarding the standards for the People's Army Newspaper, I believe the proposed draft is appropriate, timely, and comprehensive for newly established units. If approved, it needs to be implemented seriously. In addition, based on the unit's practical operations, the Brigade proposes adding some content: Increasing the number of karaoke amplifiers, microphones, digital cameras, and projectors, and standardizing them down to the battalion level to improve the quality of regular cultural and spiritual activities for the soldiers; Ensure timely allocation of budget for replacing ceremonial decorations according to the established hierarchy when they reach their expiration date.

Lieutenant Colonel NGUYEN MANH THANG, Political Commissar of Regiment 151, Region 1 of the Navy:

Flexible regulations for units stationed in difficult areas.

In order to manage and utilize the equipment allocated under Circular 138 strictly and in accordance with regulations, our unit has instructed all officers and soldiers to strictly adhere to the preservation and use of cultural facilities. In addition, the unit has leveraged its internal resources to strengthen and supplement some equipment, promptly meeting the material and spiritual needs of the troops, such as constructing bulletin boards, billboards, slogans, and purchasing portable karaoke speakers for cultural and artistic activities at radar stations...

Regarding the draft Circular amending and supplementing Circular 138, I believe it fully covers issues related to regulations, quotas, and standards, meeting the practical needs of the soldiers' material and spiritual lives. Given the unique conditions of Regiment 151, such as being stationed in high mountains and remote islands, with harsh climatic conditions directly affecting the quality and lifespan of equipment, materials, and cultural facilities, we propose clearer regulations and adjustments to the service life of items such as loudspeakers and televisions. Furthermore, the scattered radar stations make it difficult to organize cultural troupes or artistic activities annually, so these should be replaced with more suitable forms such as increasing the number of books, newspapers, and broadcasting and television equipment. In such places, spiritual companions like the People's Army Newspaper are even more valuable, not only providing useful information but also helping soldiers relax and find peace after stressful working hours. Therefore, the standards for the People's Army Newspaper as proposed in the draft are very appropriate.

Lieutenant Colonel HOANG TRUONG MINH, Head of the Cultural Center, Political Department, 316th Division, Military Region 2:

Priority is given to training units, combat-ready units, and dispersed troop deployments.

I wholeheartedly agree with the amendments to Circular 138. After studying the draft amendments to Circular 138, I find the adjustments to be fundamentally consistent with reality. Replacing outdated equipment with digital equipment, upgrading audiovisual systems, adding access to shared digital databases, adjusting standards for newspapers and magazines, and adding provisions for artistic performances for units on long-term missions are all necessary and relevant to current requirements. To ensure more effective implementation, I propose continued priority in providing equipment for training, combat readiness, and dispersed units; and establishing a roadmap for the synchronized distribution of information technology equipment, internet connections, and computers for digital libraries. Furthermore, more specific guidance is needed on the mechanisms for securing funding, management, operation, maintenance, repair, and replacement of equipment, to facilitate implementation and ensure practicality, cost-effectiveness, and efficiency for the units involved.

Major PHAM XUAN NHA, Political Officer of the Bach Long Vi Island Defense Battalion, Defense Command of Area 1 - Gia Vien, Hai Phong City Military Command:

The service life of equipment and supplies for units stationed on islands should be reduced.

Circular 138 helps ensure the full provision of entitlements, quotas, and standards for the cultural and spiritual life of soldiers, directly contributing to improving the quality of political education and ideological orientation; better meeting the cultural and spiritual needs of soldiers; building strong character and determination, ready to accept and successfully complete all assigned tasks. However, due to the distance from the mainland and the harsh weather conditions on the islands, the provision of entitlements, quotas, and standards for the cultural and spiritual life of officers and soldiers has been significantly affected. Specifically, information is delayed; electronic equipment such as televisions and DVD players deteriorate quickly...

After reviewing the draft Circular amending and supplementing Circular 138, we found that the proposed adjustments, amendments, and additions to the regime, norms, and standards for the cultural and spiritual life of soldiers closely reflect reality, with many new points that are flexible, modern, and suitable to current mission requirements. In particular, the focus on expanding access to information, increasing the application of digital technology, and diversifying cultural, artistic, and sports activities is essential to better meet the increasingly high demands for cultural and spiritual enjoyment among soldiers. However, based on the practical experience of our unit, I have some suggestions: For units in remote areas, border regions, and islands, consideration should be given to providing computers so that officers and soldiers can better update daily information; the lifespan of electronic equipment should be shortened, and a mechanism for timely replacement should be implemented to suit the harsh climate on the islands.

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/quoc-phong-an-ninh/xay-dung-quan-doi/gop-y-sua-doi-bo-sung-thong-tu-138-1038994