The "New Recruit Diary of the Binh Long Regiment" model has become a beautiful cultural aspect in the spiritual life of new recruits in Regiment 1. Each notebook is a private space where soldiers can be true to their emotions, writing down their most sincere thoughts without coercion or interference. Commanders at all levels always respect the privacy of the soldiers, so that each diary entry truly reflects the voice from the bottom of their hearts. Only when soldiers proactively share their thoughts or during comrade activities do these feelings become openly expressed, becoming a bridge to closeness between officers and soldiers.

A new recruit from Company 6, Battalion 2, Regiment 1 shared his thoughts from his diary with his unit officers.

After strenuous training sessions on the parade ground, many soldiers quietly sit by the corridor lights, jotting down a few entries in their diaries. Some write about their first night away from home, tossing and turning, missing their mothers; others recount their first time neatly folding their blankets or their drill practice sessions... These simple details truthfully record the journey of a young soldier's growth in the military environment.

Turning the pages still smelling of fresh ink, readers cannot help but be moved by the heartfelt words of a soldier on his first experience of the weekly flag-raising ceremony: “Standing under the red flag with a yellow star for the first time, listening to the national anthem resounding in the unit's courtyard, I suddenly felt the words 'Homeland' were sacred and close. I understood that I must live in a way that is worthy of the soldier's uniform…” Another person wrote about a unit tradition lesson, hearing about the heroic deeds of their predecessors, their heart overflowing with pride and vowing to train hard to be worthy of those generations before them.

Many diary entries not only record the hardships and difficulties of training but also express the pride of being in the ranks of the Vietnam People's Army. From the clumsy handwriting of the early days of enlistment to the mature, determined pages, one can clearly see the daily growth in awareness, will, and demeanor of the young soldiers.

New recruits from Company 4, Battalion 1, Regiment 1 share their diary entries.

Evaluating the effectiveness of the model, Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Huy Du, Political Commissar of Regiment 1, emphasized: “When writing, soldiers not only record their emotions but also engage in self-dialogue, self-reflection, thereby forming ideals, strengthening faith, and clearly defining their responsibilities to the Fatherland. The greatest value of the model lies not in the written pages but in the inner transformation, turning feelings into willpower, and awareness into concrete actions in training and discipline. Through this, it contributes to building political fortitude and nurturing the noble qualities of the Ho Chi Minh's soldiers in the new conditions.”

Keeping a diary is also a way for soldiers to set goals for themselves. Some are determined to achieve high results in the "three explosives" test; others remind themselves to strictly adhere to discipline and not betray the trust of their families and comrades. Behind these simple promises lies the will to overcome difficulties and the aspiration for growth of young people in the military.

In a conversation with us, Private Ngo Kim Nhat, Squad 2, Platoon 1, Company 3, Battalion 1, shared: “After each time I write in my diary, I feel I have a clearer understanding of my goals and more motivation to overcome difficulties in training. Every day at the unit is a day I feel I am growing and proud to be a soldier of the heroic Regiment 1 - Binh Long Regiment.”

Over time, the "New Recruit Diaries of Binh Long Regiment" not only preserve memories of their military life but also mark the maturation of a generation of young people in the disciplined and traditional environment of the Army. Later, upon completing their military service and returning to their hometowns, reopening these pages stained with the passage of time, each soldier will surely remember those vibrant days under the roof of Regiment 1 – where they further understood the value of camaraderie, discipline, and responsibility to the Fatherland.

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/quoc-phong-an-ninh/xay-dung-quan-doi/nhat-ky-tan-binh-doan-binh-long-1040991