The qualities of "Uncle Ho's Soldiers" are a system of noble standards and personalities ​​of revolutionary soldiers which create a strong will for officers and soldiers to overcome all hardships and sacrifices, and successfully complete their assigned tasks. At present, facing the impact of the negative side of the market mechanism and the sabotage of hostile forces, it is necessary to promote research and propose solutions to educate and train military officers and soldiers according to the qualities of "Uncle Ho's soldiers" to meet the requirements and tasks in the new situation.

Under the leadership, education and training of our Party and President Ho Chi Minh, regularly and directly the Central Military Commission and the Ministry of National Defence, generations of officers and soldiers of the Vietnam People's Army have always been absolutely loyal to the Party and the State, devoted to the People, ready to fight and sacrifice for the independence and freedom of the Fatherland, completing every task, overcoming every difficulty, defeating every enemy; building a system of extremely noble spiritual and cultural values ​​- the qualities of "Uncle Ho's soldiers". Those noble qualities have been crystallised from the fine cultural traditions of the nation and nurtured by generations of military officers and soldiers throughout the nearly 80 years of construction, fighting and development. This is also a great source of strength, a strong motivation, urging them to constantly strive to fulfil all tasks well, and achieve glorious feats.

Fully aware of the noble humanistic values ​​and the important role of the qualities of "Uncle Ho's soldiers", in recent years, Party committees and commanders of agencies and units throughout the Army have regularly paid attention to leading, directing, educating and training their officers and soldiers according to the qualities of "Uncle Ho's soldiers". As a result, the vast majority of cadres and soldiers always have nurtured a strong political stance, good moral qualities, an honest and simple lifestyle. They have always put the interests of the collective above their own interests, and do not hesitate to sacrifice and hardship during their task performance. They have shown their activeness in studying and practising; a spirit of self-improvement, innovation, creativity, dare to think, dare to do, dare to take responsibility; a sense of self-discipline. They have always maintained solidarity, unity, and camaraderie; closely attached to the people and shown a spirit of loyal and pure international solidarity, ready to receive and complete all assigned tasks.

However, due to the negative impacts of the negative side of the market mechanism, social networks, etc., coupled with the fierce sabotage of hostile forces, a number of officers and soldiers still show sign of indiscipline, inactiveness in self-cultivation and self-training, and deviation from revolutionary goals and ideals, leading to violations of State laws and military discipline, etc. These have an adverse effect on the noble image of "Uncle Ho's Soldiers" and the task performance of agencies and units. More seriously, hostile forces have made the most of these negative phenomena to distort, sabotage, and defame the Army, undermine the internal solidarity of the servicemen, and between the  military and the  civilians, with an aim to promote "self-evolution", "self-transformation", and "depoliticisation of the Army", etc.

Oathing ceremony of Ben Tre armed forces (Photo: vannghequandoi.com.vn)

In order for the qualities of “Uncle Ho’s Soldiers” to develop and shine further, this article would like to discuss some necessary measures to train and educate military officers and soldiers according to the qualities of “Uncle Ho’s Soldiers” in the current period as follow:

First of all, strengthening education to make officers and soldiers fully aware of the great significance, important role and basic qualities of “Uncle Ho’s Soldiers”. Education should be conducted on a regular and continuous basis in all agencies and units in the entire Army with the drastic involvement of Party committees, commanders at all levels, mass organisations, military councils, etc. to make all officers and soldiers clearly understand the great value and important role of the qualities of “Uncle Ho’s Soldiers”, as well as the responsibility of each of them in training that noble qualities in the current period. In order to make it effective, the content of propaganda and education should be extensive and comprehensive, focusing on resolutions and directives of the Politburo, the Secretariat, the Central Military Commission, and the Ministry of National Defence on the ethical standards of revolutionary soldiers, cadres, and party members in the new period. In particular, it is necessary to make cadres and soldiers grasp the basic characteristics of the qualities of "Uncle Ho's Soldiers", such as: strong political stance, pure motives, and high responsibility; clean and healthy ethics and lifestyle; high cultural standards, broad knowledge, good qualifications, capacity, working style and method, and good health to meet the requirements of the task; democracy and self-discipline; internal solidarity, close bond to the people, and a pure international spirit, etc.

In addition, agencies and units should flexibly and creatively apply various forms and measures of propaganda and education suitable for each specific subject and circumstance. At the same time, they should closely combine education with administrative measures, together with training and orientation so that soldiers are able to handle situations arising in their training and practice according to the qualities of "Uncle Ho's Soldiers", etc.

Secondly, strengthening the building and consolidation of comradeship and fellowship. Comradeship and fellowship are special feelings, a close and unique relationship between officers and soldiers in the Vietnam People's Army. Comradeship and fellowship are also one of the features and noble personalities ​​of the qualities of "Uncle Ho's Soldiers" in the new era. Therefore, Party committees and commandants at all levels army-wide should thoroughly understand, focus their leadership on building, consolidating and boosting this relationship based on a democratic, healthy and good atmosphere in agencies and units in which officers and soldiers always respect, trust, love and help each other. This should be done in the spirit of honesty, frankness, sincerity, respecting the freedom of each individual according to the provisions of the Constitution, laws, military regulations and rules of agencies and units.

To make this movement widespread, each cadre and party member must be exemplary in studying, practising and following Ho Chi Minh's thought, morality and style, in the spirit of "7 dares"; protect the right things and fight against the wrong ones. Their actions must stem from the collective interest, not from personal benefit. They should be unbiased in handling work; resolve relationships harmoniously and maintain internal solidarity and unity. Moreover, they should  stay close to, respect, and share the hardships with soldiers, regardless of their rank or position. Only then can the image and qualities of "Uncle Ho's Soldiers" be built and promoted.

Thirdly, building a sense of self-discipline among officers and soldiers. Discipline is the source of strength, and an important factor to the glorious victory of the Army. Discipline in our Army requires "self-consciousness and strictness", therefore, it is necessary to develop a high sense of self-consciousness in obeying the law and discipline for soldiers. To do this, Party committees, commandants, political commissars, and junior commissars at all levels should strictly maintain daily and weekly order and regimes; grasp and closely manage the ideological situation and social relationships of soldiers at all times and places, especially on holidays and breaks.

Besides maintaining strict discipline, Party committees and commandants at all levels should exercise democracy widely; nurture scientific and meticulous working methods for the contingent of managerial cadres. As for the soldiers, it is necessary to educate and train a steadfast spirit, iron will, urgent and serious working style, knowledge, courage and skills to handle situations, the ability to endure difficulties and hardships, ready to receive and complete all assigned tasks.

Finally, strengthening the close relationship with the people. Our Army is the one of the People, born from the people, and fights for the people. The flesh and blood relationship with the people is a noble quality of “Uncle Ho’s Soldiers” that can hardly be found in other armies in the world. In order to further promote this relationship, agencies and units should educate, train and foster standard style, etiquette and manners for their soldiers to make them ready to accept sacrifices, endure difficulties and hardships to protect the lives and property of the people, and bring a peaceful and happy life to the people. When interacting with the people, they must strictly adhere to the 10 oaths of honour and 12 regulations; respect the people's freedom of religion and belief, not cause trouble, harassment, or intimidation of the people, etc.

Educating and training Army officers and soldiers according to the qualities of “Uncle Ho’s Soldiers” in the current period is a regular and important task of Party committees and commanders at all levels. Performing this task well will contribute to building the Army politically strong, constantly improving its overall quality and combat strength, so that it will receive and complete all tasks assigned by the Party, State and People.

Colonel, Dr. LE DUY THANG, The Political College