Journey to overcome yourself

Without the sound of footsteps or the lively sounds of the walking blocks, each training session of the officers and soldiers of the standing block of the Naval Officers and Border Guard Officers took place in silence, with only the rustling of the wind and the silhouettes of the soldiers printed on the training ground under the bright yellow sunlight of the historic August autumn. From the initial 60-minute standing exercise, up to now, the two blocks have stood at attention for 270 minutes (exceeding the target of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army by 60 minutes). It is a journey of perseverance, perseverance, effort, and self-surpassing of each officer and soldier in the two standing blocks. There were days of extreme heat, when the soldiers continuously fainted and collapsed, and when it rained heavily, their uniforms were soaked, but no one gave up, just needed to rest, recover their health, and then return to training.

Officers and soldiers of the Border Guard Officer Cadet Block are practicing.

Looking back on the training journey over the past 4 months, Sergeant Dang Phuc Toan, Squad Leader of the Machine Gun Squad (Company 7, Battalion 5, Regiment 8, Division 395, Military Region 3) - a member of the Naval Officer Cadet Block recalled: “In the early days, after standing for 60 minutes, we felt dizzy, our joints ached, the soles of our feet burned, and even had blisters. There were times when I was very worried, thinking that I could not stand at attention for more than 200 minutes.”

Understanding the difficulties of soldiers in the block, officers and teachers have implemented a training plan that is both serious and flexible, combining training with experience transfer.

Lieutenant Colonel Tran The Luc, Deputy Chief of Staff of Regiment 8 - Captain of the Naval Officer Cadet Company said: “Determining that the training of standing at attention must be persistent and not hasty, we gradually increased the intensity of the training. In the first month of training, the company deployed standing for 60 minutes, then each day increased by 5 to 10 minutes. During the training period, we classified soldiers with weaknesses and bad habits into groups to develop plans, assign instructors, and maintain training at the 8th hour every day. At the same time, we focused on improving the physical strength of the soldiers in the morning and afternoon. We also shared experiences to help the soldiers stand longer such as: Regulating breathing, avoiding focusing on one place, pressing the fingertips, and pricking the fingers to keep the blood circulating”.

Lieutenant Colonel Tran The Luc, Captain of the Naval Officer Academy Company, checks the soldiers' demeanor before starting training.

One of the factors that test the will and steel spirit of the officers and soldiers of the standing block is to stand at attention in all weather conditions. According to the Captain of the Naval Officers' Company, with the motto of training close to reality, whether sunny or rainy, the unit still maintains proper training, with enough time for the soldiers to complete their tasks well during the Anniversary Ceremony, regardless of the weather.

Not only standing for a sufficient amount of time, officers and soldiers of the standing block must also stand in the correct posture, always keeping a fresh appearance. To practice this content, Senior Lieutenant Vu Ngoc Bien, Assistant Staff of Ngoc Vung Island Battalion (Brigade 242, Military Region 3) - Instructor of the Naval Officer Training Block said: "In the beginning, the unit practiced standing at attention, we combined the use of cross-shaped crutches to train the soldiers' posture and back, at the same time, used small sharpened bamboo sticks for soldiers to hold and adjust their mouths. We used stakes and stretched ropes to separate the rows of faces and hats to unify the rows and blocks".

After more than 4 months of training, each officer and soldier in the two standing blocks under the responsibility of Military Region 3 has always made constant efforts, surpassing their own limits every day. Up to now, the whole block has been steadfast in both posture and spirit, ready to step into the mission.

Officers and soldiers of the Naval Officer Training Block practice in the rain. Photo: NGOC BIEN

Building determination

Standing at attention for hours is very hard for officers and soldiers in the standing block. To motivate soldiers to overcome difficulties and challenges, building courage and willpower plays a very important role.

Private Tran Nam Duy, Soldier of Squad 1, Platoon 1, Company 5, Ngoc Vung Island Battalion - Border Guard Officer Cadet Block was very moved, because since the beginning of the training, the Commander of Military Region 3 and the leaders of the Command and the leaders of the agencies of Military Region 3 regularly visited, encouraged and supported the officers and soldiers in the block both materially and spiritually. "Every time they visited, the Commander of Military Region 3 and the leaders came to the training location, to encourage and share the hardships of the standing block. The encouragement of the leaders gave us more motivation to overcome difficulties", comrade Duy confided.

Officers and soldiers of the Naval Officer Cadet Block practice standing to serve the ceremony to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the successful August Revolution (August 19, 1945 / August 19, 2025) and the National Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (September 2, 1945 / September 2, 2025).

Propaganda and education work for officers and soldiers of the two standing blocks was also focused on. The Military Region coordinated to organize for soldiers to study and visit the Vietnam Military History Museum and the President Ho Chi Minh Historical Site at Da Chong - K9 (Hanoi City). Cultural and artistic activities were given attention, the Political Department of Military Region 3 directed the Art Troupe of Military Region 3 to organize an artistic exchange with officers and soldiers of the two standing blocks. With the participation and encouragement of Colonel Ngo Quoc Bao, Deputy Director of Political Department of Military Region 3, the exchange not only brought moments of relaxation but also demonstrated the closeness of leaders at all levels, was an opportunity to educate traditions, so that each officer and soldier would be more proud of the nation's history, and strive to complete their tasks well.

Senior Lieutenant Truong Dinh Kien, Political Commissar of Company 7 (Battalion 2, Regiment 2, Division 395) - Political Commissar of the Border Guard Officer Cadet Block said: “We not only grasp the ideological situation through activities at all levels, but also during the soldiers' training. The unit also organizes birthday activities for comrades, art performances during breaks, holidays and at the training ground, combining traditional education with entertainment activities. At the beginning of training, we let the soldiers listen to stories about Uncle Ho and revolutionary songs; during training, we play young, vibrant songs. At the end of training, we shout out the traditions of the Army to raise the spirit and determination of the soldiers after training.”

Lieutenant Colonel Pham Van Binh, Deputy Head of the Military Training - School Department, General Staff of Military Region 3 (standing far left) inspects the facilities serving the daily life of officers and soldiers of the two standing blocks under the responsibility of Military Region 3.

Participating in parades and marches, soldiers often have to be away from home for long periods of time. To help soldiers ease their homesickness, the two standing block companies have arranged telephones in their platoons so that soldiers can contact their families during their days off and breaks.

Thanks to the timely and regular attention and encouragement of commanders at all levels, throughout the training period, despite many difficulties and hardships, up to now, 100% of officers and soldiers in the two blocks have been confident in their work and have determined well the assigned tasks. Lieutenant Colonel Pham Van Binh, Deputy Head of the Military Training - School Department (General Staff of Military Region 3) said: "During the training process, with the attention, leadership and direction of the Standing Party Committee, the head of the Military Region 3 Command, directly the head of the General Staff, the Political Department, the Logistics - Technical Department of Military Region 3, the blocks have practiced according to the plan, content, time, achieving good quality. Up to now, we are ready to participate in the Anniversary Ceremony and have excellently completed the task of marching and marching".

Article and photos: PHAM QUYET

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/quoc-phong-an-ninh/xay-dung-quan-doi/vung-vang-duoi-nang-thu-lich-su-842748