Although he studied and trained at the Tank Non-Commissioned Officer School 1, Sergeant Nguyen Hoai Canh, Vehicle Commander of Platoon 1, Company 5, Battalion 8, constantly trained his physical strength to adapt to the operating conditions on the vehicle. “There are shooting exercises or when practicing sitting in the vehicle for a long time, even though there is a booster fan, it is still very hot, along with the smell of engine oil, which will cause discomfort and can make people dizzy when entering the vehicle for the first time. In addition to the regular training time, I also run long distances, do pull-ups on the horizontal bar and parallel bars to gain more physical strength, and train my endurance at high intensity to complete the training content... Thanks to that, it helps me adapt to the hot conditions inside and the weather outside when participating in the exercise", Sergeant Nguyen Hoai Canh shared.

Training on and off vehicles is a basic movement in the armored vehicle profession.

Along with Platoon 1, Company 5 with Hoai Canh, Sergeant Huynh Nhut Nam, the Vehicle Commander also believes that physical strength is very important to adapt to the cramped conditions and high temperatures in the vehicle. Sergeant Huynh Nhut Nam expressed: “Just practice a lot, getting used to the cramped conditions in the cockpit will become a skill. Along with that, eating properly, not staying up late, exercising a lot will gradually increase physical strength. If your health is not flexible and durable, you will lose strength quickly, making it difficult to command the vehicle for a long time. Along with that, the Vehicle Commander commands the members to practice close coordination within the vehicle crew, between your vehicle and other vehicles, between the platoon and superiors. At the same time, the vehicle commander acts according to the commander's training intentions, handles situations quickly, accurately, promptly, does not lose opportunities, and is in accordance with the tactical intentions of superiors".

Loading ammunition onto a vehicle to prepare for live fire at the 416th Armored Brigade, Military Region 9.

Training in the rainy season, the temperature in the car is better, in the summer the temperature in the car is high, very stuffy, sweat soaked after each training session. According to Senior Lieutenant Cao Van Gioi, Deputy Commander of Company 5, Battalion 8: There are tactical shooting exercises or when participating in drills, the brothers have to stay in the car for hours. Not only that, each comrade is also equipped with a work hat, making the body temperature higher. To complete the task, the unit trains in the car area first to get used to it gradually, then drives out in the morning or afternoon so that the brothers can adapt to the high temperature. Along with that, prepare enough water to cool down but do not drink too much because it will sweat quickly, the body will lack electrolytes, and the feeling of thirst will increase. At the same time, the unit strictly maintains physical training, this is an important condition for each crew when participating in training.

Every year, Battalion 8 is the main unit of the Brigade participating in the joint military exercises of the military region. Therefore, the unit focuses on training to ensure all content, time, progress, and training according to the hierarchy, especially for platoon and company officers. “The unit trains in theory and “cold” practice on the vehicle, from getting on and off the vehicle, mastering and then getting into the vehicle to do the new preparation work for the troops to operate when starting the engine. Currently, we provide additional training in aiming and shooting on the vehicle to prepare for platoon and company level shooting exercises such as: Temporarily stopping shooting according to tactical formation, shooting in place, shooting on the move... Through the inspections of the brigade, the military region, and the service, the level, operations, and ability to use the vehicle and weapons of the brothers are highly appreciated. Or like in recent exercises, the targets in charge were all destroyed by us from the first bullet and supported the other unit”, said Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Hung, Battalion Commander of Battalion 8.

Live fire practice.

In training or rehearsals, in addition to the qualifications and operations of the members on the vehicle, the work of ensuring engineering, information or transportation is an important factor helping the Brigade's crew to complete their tasks well. Recently, the unit's armored tanks have been equipped with new information equipment to replace the old ones, helping to ensure communication for missions more and more effectively. Major Danh Giang, Captain of the Information Company, said: "The new information equipment is compact and easy to carry, helping the command process to be faster and more timely. Based on the instructions provided by the factory, we train our comrades to exploit and use it. To ensure information is close to the actual combat situation, the unit focuses on training according to each situation and stage, such as the stage of organizing and preparing, training to ensure wired information and military post; the stage of combat practice is to ensure wired information; in which, especially ensuring on the main direction".  

In the first training phase, the 416th Armored Brigade had many innovative and practical measures in directing, managing, operating, and practicing training, helping to solidify the level and capabilities of the troops. As a result, 100% of the training and testing results met the requirements, over 75% were good and excellent, and the quality of combat readiness was increasingly improved, meeting the requirements of building an armored force that was "refined, compact, strong, and gradually modernized".

Article and photos: TAI MINH