Though it is already autumn, the weather in the midlands was still hot. It was almost 10 a.m. but the soldiers kept practicing individual movements following the commander's order and whistle signals. Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen The Thang, Deputy Chief of Staff of Regiment 98 of Division 316, was assigned to leading the Officer Formation. He divided the formation into small groups and directed them to practice on the pitch around the division’s stadium. Troops concentrated on practicing hand and foot movements to ensure correct movements, techniques, speed, strength, and decisiveness. Despite being drenched in sweat, the soldiers kept a cheerful and excited expression.
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Troops practice foot movements. |
Private Lo Van Quynh, from the Thai ethnic group in Ta Hoc commune, Mai Son district, Son La province and a member of Company 14, Regiment 98, said that, “I was recruited early this year. After six months of training, I am now aware of the duties of a soldier. I am honored to be trained for the parade in celebration of the 80th founding anniversary of the Vietnam People’s Army. Though the training is hard, all the soldiers feel happy, excited and honored because not all troops in the military are selected to participate in this important event.”
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Troops train hard for the success of the parade. |
In the parade, Military Region 2 has five formations, with 100 troops for each. To prepare for the parade, each formation has an addition of 10 to 20 troops as alternatives.
Before training, Division 316 selected troops based on their family background; conducted a health examination. Division 316's logistics agency arranges neat and clean accommodation at the affiliated battalions, ensuring full policies, standards, drinking water at the training ground, and having a military medical force ready to support and help when there are health problems.
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Troops train with hand movements. |
Senior Colonel Nguyen Tien Dung, Second-in-Command and Chief of Staff of Division 316, said that the training for the parade is a political task that holds important significance. Thus, the division’s Party Committee and Chain-of-Command selected the best officers to manage and train the soldiers. They also directed their affiliates to ensure the spiritual and material life of troops and launch a high-level emulation drive to encourage troops to achieve the highest possible results, contributing to the success of the big festival of the whole military and entire people.
Translated by Mai Huong