"Mom, I've grown up!"

Upon returning home after two years of military service, some soldiers didn't carry bulky luggage. Their backpacks remained neat and simple, just as they were when they enlisted. But the greatest gift they gave their families was the maturity of a soldier who had gone through training and trials.

Interaction and sharing of experiences among soldiers before their discharge. Photo: GIA KHÁNH

Two years ago, like many other young men, Pham Nguyen Nhat Tan – a soldier in Platoon 5, Company 2, Battalion 512, Regiment 892 ( Provincial Military Command) – entered the army with a sense of bewilderment. Away from his family and the protective embrace of his mother for the first time, he had to adapt to a disciplined lifestyle, a formal demeanor, and intense training. In his early days at the unit, homesickness, longing for family meals, and the image of his mother bustling in the small kitchen were constant thoughts for him.

The military environment doesn't allow for prolonged weakness. Each training session under the scorching sun, on rainy days in muddy training grounds, and during serious political classes... forged in Tan a strong will, discipline, and a spirit of overcoming difficulties. At Battalion 512, every day was filled with specific rules, discipline, and tasks: organizing internal affairs, adhering to schedules, participating in training, and being ready for combat. Every activity contributed to shaping a mature demeanor, a sense of organizational discipline, and a spirit of responsibility in the young soldier. Tan shared: "It was these difficult times that helped me mature and become more attached to the unit. The military taught me to live a disciplined and responsible life, to think of the collective, and to no longer be afraid of hardship."

Through political training sessions, unit activities, and practical assignments, Tan gained a deeper understanding of the value of being a member of the Vietnam People's Army – an army that originates from the people and fights for the people. This pride grew day by day, becoming a spiritual foundation that enabled him to hold the rank of Sergeant and successfully complete his duties as Deputy Platoon Leader of Platoon 5. Captain Tran Trung Hieu, Political Officer of Company 2, assessed: “The management and training process has shown the clear maturity of the soldiers, including Comrade Tan. The soldiers have improved their political awareness, organizational discipline, and courage, successfully completing their assigned tasks.”

In the days leading up to their discharge, amidst the warm atmosphere of the "Comradeship and Solidarity" gathering at Regiment 892, memories of their two years in the military came flooding back. The young soldiers reminisced about intense training sessions, the silent countdown of guard duty late at night, and the successful completion of missions alongside their comrades. As they officially left the unit, the joy of completing their service mingled with the emotion of saying goodbye to their comrades and the place they had been attached to for two years.

Holding the title of "Outstanding Soldier" in his hands, Sergeant Do Chi Tuong - 12.7mm Anti-Aircraft Machine Gun Platoon, Battalion 511, Regiment 892 - proudly reflects on his journey in implementing the "Determined to Win" emulation movement with his unit. He has carefully preserved this certificate since receiving it and will surely display it proudly in his home, a memento of the years he spent fully serving in the military.

When Tan returned, his mother greeted him with a deep, lingering gaze, noticing the clear change in her son. From his posture and manner of greeting to his measured and calm speech, Tan was different from before. The gift he brought home for his mother wasn't in his military backpack, but in the person he was: a young man who knew how to live a disciplined life, who thought of his family, and who valued hard work. For his mother, that was the most fulfilling gift after months of waiting for her son's return.

The military journey of Sergeant Pham Nguyen Nhat Tan and Sergeant Do Chi Tuong has come to an end, but their dedication continues. Although they no longer wear their uniforms daily, the values ​​forged in the military will stay with them throughout their lives, becoming a solid foundation for their future. In their familiar homes back home, they confidently tell their mothers: "Mom, we've grown up thanks to our time in the military!"

In his farewell address to the discharged soldiers, Colonel Huynh Van Khoi, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Political Commissar of the Provincial Military Command, emphasized: “The army is a ‘great school’ that trains people in political fortitude, willpower, discipline, and character. After completing their service and returning to their localities, each soldier must continue to uphold and promote the qualities of ‘Uncle Ho’s soldiers,’ strictly abide by the Party’s guidelines and the State’s policies and laws; live and work responsibly, actively participate in labor and study, contribute to building their homeland, and maintain political security, order, and social safety at the grassroots level.”

GIA KHANH

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/-me-oi-con-da-truong-thanh--a476267.html