On the one hand, Regiment 8 stabilizes morale and maintains strict discipline, but it also provides career guidance, helping soldiers prepare to build new lives after discharge.

In the days leading up to Tet (Lunar New Year), the atmosphere at Regiment 8, Division 395, remains bustling with training and combat readiness. On the training ground, each squad and platoon continues to practice according to plan. The only difference is that the atmosphere seems quieter, because for many soldiers, their time with the unit is drawing to a close, and their discharge date is approaching.

Corporal Lai Duc Tam, a soldier in Platoon 4, Company 2, Battalion 4, Regiment 8, carefully folds his uniform and other military equipment that have accompanied him throughout his years in the army. “It feels like just yesterday I was still feeling bewildered, but now two years of military service are almost over. We are preparing to be discharged, and the commanders at all levels have always shown concern and ensured everything is in order for us to have a solid foundation to return to our hometowns and families,” Corporal Lai Duc Tam shared.

These days, the Party Committee and command of Regiment 8 are implementing comprehensive and thorough preparations for the demobilization of soldiers, from ideological education and implementation of policies to career guidance for the soldiers.

Battalion 5, Regiment 8, Division 395 organized an educational session for soldiers on the topic: Striving to establish a career and build a stable life after completing military service.

During the political , cultural, and spiritual activities at units under Regiment 8, soldiers were fully informed of the Party, State, and Army's policies and guidelines regarding demobilized soldiers. In political education sessions, lectures focused on guiding actions and building motivation for each soldier to become a good citizen, establish a career, and stabilize their life after demobilization.

Not only during group meetings, but also during breaks and meetings, officers at all levels in Regiment 8 take advantage of breaks to chat with and inquire about the soldiers' family circumstances and plans after their discharge.

A key area of ​​interest for many soldiers and a central focus in the preparation for demobilization at Regiment 8 is career counseling and guidance. Over the years, the unit has effectively coordinated and innovated its methods and approaches to ensure soldiers receive the clearest possible career guidance for their future.

Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Viet Huan, Head of Political Affairs of Regiment 8, said: "Right from the moment we receive the soldiers into the unit and during the management process, we conduct surveys to understand each soldier's strengths and passions for their chosen profession in order to coordinate with local authorities and vocational training centers to provide the most effective and practical career advice for each soldier."

To ensure practical career guidance and counseling, before each demobilization, Regiment 8 consults with businesses and job placement centers to analyze the labor market in each province and city where the soldiers are discharged, as well as the requirements for overseas employment. After developing specific content, the unit coordinates and organizes job counseling and placement sessions for the soldiers. Representatives from dozens of companies, businesses, and vocational training schools provide detailed information on vocational training support policies, tuition fees, required qualifications, training duration, and information on several professions suitable to the soldiers' conditions and abilities upon returning to their localities. This is crucial preparation for the soldiers to confidently enter a new life.

Officers from Regiment 8 provided advice and answered questions for soldiers preparing for discharge.

Corporal Doan Van Duong, a soldier in the SPG-9 Platoon, Battalion 5, Regiment 8, shared: “Previously, I was quite worried because I didn't know what I would do after being discharged from the army. With advice from my unit, I plan to register for a mechanical engineering vocational course locally. Thanks to that, I feel more at ease and no longer have the same anxieties as before.”

Besides future orientation, the 8th Regiment seriously and properly implements policies and regulations for demobilized soldiers. All content related to benefits and standards is publicly and transparently disclosed.

While preparing for the farewell activities for the soldiers, Regiment 8 maintained strict discipline and combat readiness. Every soldier clearly understood that even if they only had one more day in the ranks of the Vietnam People's Army, they must strictly adhere to discipline.

Lieutenant Colonel Tran Van Toi, Secretary of the Party Committee and Political Commissar of Regiment 8, said: “As the discharge date approaches, we focus even more on strengthening the solidarity between officers and soldiers so that when the soldiers leave the army, they always consider Regiment 8 as their second home. In addition, the Regiment also maintains a strict duty roster, ensuring combat readiness under fluctuating troop numbers and with Tet (Lunar New Year) fast approaching.”

Leaving the 8th Regiment in the late afternoon, the familiar sound of the gong still echoed. These might be the last sounds of military life that many soldiers would hear. A journey filled with challenges was drawing to a close, but surely, the experiences, life skills honed, and beautiful memories from the 8th Regiment would stay with the soldiers for a long time and become valuable assets on their future paths.

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/quoc-phong-an-ninh/xay-dung-quan-doi/lang-dong-nhung-ky-niem-dep-trong-doi-quan-ngu-1023490