Gathering in Hanoi from June 6, the Female Special Forces Unit of nearly 200 members quickly entered training. Although most of them had participated in the parade and marching practice during the 50th Anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification Day (mission A50), the difference in climate and weather between the South and the North was still a big challenge for each member. Little wind, intense heat, high temperatures and sudden rains directly affected the health of the female soldiers during the training process.

Despite many difficulties, the female soldiers all showed a clear sense of responsibility, training seriously and persistently. Lieutenant Nguyen Thi Cam Hoa (Military Region 9) shared: “In the first days, not being used to the intensity of training and the weather, many comrades had headaches, muscle fatigue, and blistered toes. But everyone tried to overcome it, because missing a training session would affect the whole team, and they could not keep up with the other members.”

It is known that the training method of the Female Special Forces Unit is similar to the parade training session serving the A50 mission, which is to wear lead weights (each leg weighs 0.5kg, then increase to 1kg) to practice leg braces, gun-holding movements, facial movements, each time for about 30-40 seconds. When entering the training session wearing equipment (combat helmet weighing 2.6kg, STV-215 gun weighing 3.5kg, protective armor with gloves, leg covers weighing more than 1kg), the lifting time increases from 1 minute to 2-3 minutes. When entering the training session on the march, the requirements for movements and endurance will be even higher.

Female Special Forces soldiers wearing lead weights practice leg-crossing movements.

The training process requires uniformity and precision down to the centimeter, so the exercises lasting for hours in the hot sun make many people tired. Corporal Nguyen Thi Thu Thuy (Military Region 7) said: “The exercise of wearing lead blocks on our feet helps us improve our ability to maintain balance, muscle endurance and keep our legs in place, but when practicing, it is easy to get muscle tension and cramps. In the hot sun, sweating a lot makes the body dehydrated. Learning from the A50 mission training, we overcome this by soaking each other in ice water and massaging them, while also supplementing water, vitamins and eating lots of fruit.”

Major Vu Cong Trung, an officer of the Military School of Military Region 7, in charge of training the Female Special Forces, said: “We have implemented a training plan with increasing progress; adjusting the morning training time from 6:30 to about 10:00, and the afternoon from 15:00 to 17:30 to avoid the hot sun; at the same time, we have increased nutrition and supplemented electrolytes for the soldiers. In addition, cultural and entertainment activities are organized during breaks to raise the morale of the women, contributing to maintaining a steady training pace.”

In addition to overcoming difficulties during training, female soldiers also have to overcome the challenge of being away from their families for a long time. This is a big obstacle, but all of them have a clear mindset and determination to complete the mission. As one of the youngest soldiers of the Female Special Forces Bloc, Corporal Nguyen Thi Thu Thuy confided: “The Bloc has many comrades who are married and have young children. Despite the difficulties, the sisters often share, encourage each other, and always help each other when needed.”

Major Truong Thi Yen Ngoc (Tien Giang Provincial Military Command) is a typical example of the spirit of overcoming difficulties. As a mother of two young children, she has overcome all obstacles to successfully complete her mission. Lieutenant Colonel Trinh Van Khue, Deputy Head of Political Department of Military School of Military Region 7, Political Commissar of the Female Special Forces Block, informed: “Comrade Ngoc's husband is also a soldier, working at Regiment 924 (Tien Giang Provincial Military Command) 60km from home. When comrade Ngoc went to the North to perform her duties, her two young children had to be taken to school by neighbors. The unit proactively proposed to transfer comrade Ngoc's husband to a unit near home so that his wife could work with peace of mind.”

Every evening after the group activities, Major Truong Thi Yen Ngoc takes the time to call home to encourage her children. “Although it is only for a few short minutes, hearing my children ask me what I ate today and if I am tired really warms my heart,” Ngoc confided.

Many comrades in the bloc also have special circumstances. Second Lieutenant Vo Thi Tuong Vi (General Staff of Military Region 5) is a mother of 3 young children but still volunteers to participate in the parade. There were times when she missed her children so much that she cried, but with the encouragement of her superiors and the sympathy of her teammates, Ms. Vi overcame it, persistently followed the formation, and completed the training content well.

During breaks and after training, we saw female soldiers helping each other massage their feet, soak their feet, bandage blisters... while chatting happily. These seemingly small things contributed to creating a spirit of solidarity and determination to overcome all difficulties and challenges to successfully complete the training mission to participate in the parade and march of the Female Special Forces.

Article and photos: LE HIEU

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/nuoi-duong-van-hoa-bo-doi-cu-ho/nhung-nu-quan-nhan-tham-gia-luyen-tap-dieu-binh-835138