The development of the model and its criteria

The 134^th Signal Brigade are located in multiple locations, including 17 provinces and cities in Central Vietnam and the Northern part of the country, and many of them are stationed in remote areas and near minority ethnics communities, far from their superior commands. As a result, there are a lot of difficulties in maintaining these units’ day-to-day operation. Under this condition, to effectively integrate the movement of Studying and Following Ho Chi Minh’s thought, moral example and living style into the unit’s regular activities, 134^th Signal Brigade leadership has synchronously conducted multiple methods and considered its Youth Union as the core element in the implementation of this work. To this end, the brigade’s Youth Union developed “4-good Signal Section/Station” model and applied it at platoon and section levels. After clearly identifying the model, the brigade’s Youth Union Standing Committee asked for counseling from the unit’s members to fully develop a completed action plan and related criteria. At the same time, the Youth Union selected and directly instructed several contingents to experiment this model to draw lessons for later expansion in the entire brigade. The four major categories of the model are as follows.

First, good signal and communication work. In this criterion, to enhance young officers and soldiers’ signal discipline to make sure there is no disruption in communication due to subjective causes and any incident is managed in a timely manner; the brigade’s Youth Union actively conducted many different programs such as “Youth Union’s self-monitor cable line” or “Youth Union’s exemplary shift”. At the same time, Youth Union members were further educated to improve their responsibility in utilizing and maintaining communication equipment.

Col. Tong Van Thanh chairs the conference entitled “The Youth takes the lead in building the comprehensively strong unit”

Second, good training. This criterion was proposed to enhance self-study, self-learning spirit of Youth Union members. That said, they were ordered to fully participate in a wide range of training programs taught by station commanders or held by their company and battalion leadership. Besides, they were required to be adept in using assigned equipment and capable of independently solving communication contingencies at their respective level.

Third, good discipline and living condition. This criterion was proposed to improve young soldiers and officers’ self-discipline and self-monitor awareness in conducting cable line patrols, supervising communication infrastructure and working independently at remote communication stations. To fulfill this criterion, all Youth Union members must be highly disciplined; and actively take part in standardization building for their stations and developing a healthy, cultured and “green – clean – scenic” environment at their working places. At independent units, especially sections/groups deployed in remote areas, there are a lot of challenges in maintaining proper conditions for service members. Therefore, this criterion requires Youth Union members to fully exploit available land in their unit to implement self-subsidize farming, including poultry, cattle and/or fruit growing, depending on each station’s condition.

Fourth, good public relations. This is a crucial criterion in building “4-good Signal Section/Station”. As a matter of fact, signal groups/stations can only work effectively when they have good relations with the local population because they are an important element in ensuring security for signal stations and cable lines. Each signal section/station is required to provide support for a poor local family in many ways. Every quarter, young officers and soldiers have to actively participate in cultural exchange and sport games with local Youth Union members to maintain close relations with the local authority and people.

After reviewing actual outcomes from units in which the model was experimented, 134^th Signal Brigade Youth Union Standing Committee held meetings and talks to develop a plan to expand this model in the entire unit. Subsequently, criteria to build “4-good Signal Section/Station” were issued in details to each and every contingent. Accordingly, signal sections and groups held meetings to learn about these criteria and draw support from Youth Union members and other cadres and soldiers. At the same time, these units discussed to figure out appropriate methods and plans and assign specific tasks to each responsible individual. During the implementation of these plans, grassroots-level Youth Union Standing Committee often sought for advice from the brigade command and Party committee, political office and its members as well as other military members in the unit to supplement and complement the criteria of the model and apply them in the whole brigade.

The popularity of the model and its effectiveness

Thanks to the determination and effort of the brigade’s young members, “4-good Signal Section/Group” model has become widely popular and gained significant support in the unit. In fact, 134^th Signal Brigade Youth Union cadres and members eagerly participate in emulation activities to demonstrate their commitment to their units; strengthen their comradeship and enhance their unit’s capabilities in all aspects. Besides, the model improved Youth Union members and cadres’ responsibility in duty shifts and cable line patrols; as a result, there was no Youth Union member or cadre violating signal and communication discipline in recent years. In addition, many important constructs were completed as planned with proper quality; signal and communication support for military drills and competitions held by Signal Corps and Ministry of National Defense was seamless and secured. Besides, regular combat readiness and combat readiness during special events and holidays of the State, the Party and the military were well-maintained. Also, in the entire brigade, members lived and worked in harmony and solidarity; and the unit’s environment was green, clean, and scenic. Additionally, public relations discipline was strictly imposed; the brigade’s Youth Union members and cadres have always been strongly supported by local authorities and population.

During the past 5 years, 134^th Signal Brigade Youth Union has constantly rated as a strong Youth Union organization; nearly 96% of its members and cadres had excellent rating. The success of “4-good Signal Section/Station” model was fully exploited by the brigade leadership; as a result, subsequent models such as “Exemplary Women Signal Section:, “Model 3B”, “Model 3T”, “4-good Signal Post”, etc, were planned, realized and brought about many positive outcomes. Therefore, the work of studying and following Uncle Ho’s words has become more and more widespread and turned into daily movement of each and every brigade member, greatly contributing to the work of enhancing the general capability of 134^th Signal Brigade. Thanks to the success of “4-good Signal Section/Station”, 134^th Signal Brigade Youth Union was awarded with General Department of Politics Commendation.

Lessons learned from the implementation of the model

After reviewing the effectiveness of “4-good Signal Section/Station”, 134^th Signal Brigade Youth Union has drawn the following lessons.

First, Youth Union members and cadres must constantly be educated about the requirements of military building in general and Signal Corps in particular; and to take pride in the Corps and 134^th Brigade’s tradition. To this end, Youth Union members and cadres of the unit will have clear awareness and high responsibility towards their assigned task.

Second, the overall strength of the brigade’s subordinate organizations and contingents must be fully utilized. To this end, the core element in organizing and implementing the model is Youth Union members and cadres. Specifically, cadres are responsible for the organization and the management of the model, while members are the vanguard contingent of the movement. At the same time, the brigade’s Youth Union must work closely with local authorities and people to gain more support for the implementation of this model.

Third, the living condition and mentality of its cadres and members, especially those who are deployed in remote areas must be constantly the main concern of the Youth Union. In building the model, every aspect must be implemented voluntarily and studied thoroughly to apply appropriate methods which suitable to the actual condition of each section and station. Besides, Youth Union cells must proactively utilize and combine different resources such as financial support from higher command or after-hour farming revenue to fund activities required for the model.

Fourth, review and evaluation work must be conducted regularly. Also, commendation and rewards must be issued in a timely manner to encourage Youth Union members to participate in the movement.

Fifth, the actual state of the model must be closely monitored; the brigade command and Party Committee must be constantly sought for instruction and guidance, while inspection and supervision work by the brigade’s political department must be enhanced. At the same time, the implementation of the model must be closely combined with Determination to Win Emulation Movement and other campaigns initiated by higher commands.

Colonel Tong Van Thanh, 134^th Signal Brigade Political Commissar