In late March, the sweltering heat descended upon the STV-380 shooting range of the 45th Battalion, 113th Special Forces Brigade. This was the first segmented shooting exercise, targeting hidden and visible target number 4 during the day – the first exercise, considered crucial for laying the psychological and technical foundation for new recruits. Under the oppressive early summer sun, sweat soaked their shirts as each soldier entered the firing range under immense pressure: pressure to achieve results, and pressure to surpass themselves in their first "firing" attempt in military service.

The water bottles have been placed on the shelves to "Support the training season".

At that crucial moment, a simple yet timely encouragement boosted the soldiers' morale. The Brigade Women's Association, in coordination with the Youth Union, implemented a program offering refreshing glasses of sour plum juice directly to the soldiers on the training ground. This simple drink was made from sour plums carefully harvested from the unit's grounds, soaked since the previous summer; the sugar was purchased with funds raised through the Youth Union members' collection of recyclable materials. It wasn't extravagant, but it was timely and met the soldiers' needs. A sip of cool water helped the young soldiers cool down, stabilize their breathing, and regain their focus before entering the shooting practice.

The Women's Association of the 113th Special Forces Brigade always accompanies the unit on its training grounds.

In addition to providing material support, female officers and members also directly go to the training ground to encourage, visit, and remind soldiers to maintain their posture, stay calm, aim accurately, and pull the trigger decisively. This closeness and thoughtfulness help to relieve psychological stress and strengthen the confidence of new recruits.

Lieutenant Colonel Vu Thi Bich, President of the Women's Association of the Brigade, shared: "We hope that these small but practical actions will contribute to motivating and helping new recruits to be confident and successfully complete their training tasks."

The new recruits were delighted with the refreshing glasses of sour plum juice.

The effectiveness was evident in each shooting practice. More than two-thirds of the soldiers achieved good or excellent scores; many soldiers achieved perfect scores. Soldier Nguyen Viet Hoang, Squad 5, Platoon 10, Company 1, Battalion 45, happily stated: "The cool drinks and encouragement from the ladies helped us reduce stress and feel more confident during shooting practice."

The new recruits can confidently practice aiming and shooting well.

Experience shows that improving the quality of training is not only a requirement regarding content and methods according to the motto "basic, practical, and solid," but also demands leveraging the combined strength of organizations within the unit. Specific and practical actions such as "Supporting the Training Season" have directly strengthened confidence and fostered determination among soldiers, especially new recruits.

Commenting on this activity, Colonel Nguyen Van Pha, Political Commissar of the Brigade, affirmed: "The program clearly demonstrates the sense of responsibility and the support of mass organizations for training tasks; contributing to encouraging and motivating soldiers to successfully complete their tasks right from the initial stages."

Amidst the sweltering early summer heat, simple glasses of sour plum juice not only soothe the heat of the training ground but also instill willpower and courage in the soldiers. This ensures that each shot not only hits its target but also serves as a solid starting point on their journey of training and growth in the military.

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/nuoi-duong-van-hoa-bo-doi-cu-ho/ly-nuoc-thao-truong-tiep-lua-cho-chien-si-moi-1033050