“Building model units” of technical work is a pivotal and urgent content, contributing to improving the overall quality and combat strength of the entire Army. Especially in the context of reorganising the logistics sector and technical sector into logistics - technical sector during the process of building an “elite, compact, strong” Army, advancing towards modernity, the task of “building model units” of this work needs to be thoroughly studied in both theory and practice.

Based on the high requirements of the entire Military technical work, in recent years, the Central Military Commission, the Ministry of National Defence, and directly the Military Technical Sector have always focused on leading and directing the comprehensive implementation of all aspects of work, including the work of “building model units”. "Model unit building" has helped develop and perfect the model of organising the technical infrastructure system of newly established units, such as Coast Guard, Cyber ​​​​Warfare, etc., standardising and implementing the unified model of the technical infrastructure system of full-strength infantry divisions, reduced divisions, air defence - air force divisions, naval regions, coast guard, brigades, independent battalions and companies, units under the military command and provincial (municipal) border command, strategic, operational and tactical warehouses and workshops; disseminating new technical processes and solutions, such as long-term storage, extension of term, improvement of weapons and technical equipment, etc.; the application of new technical materials, etc. In recent years, "model unit building" activities have significantly contributed to improving the combat strength of weapons, technical equipment, the ability to complete tasks of agencies and units, and the regularity and unity in the organisations and operation of the Technical sector.

Lieutenant General Tran Minh Duc checks technical work at Factory A41 of the Air Defence - Air Force (Photo: mod.gov.vn)

Implementing Resolution No. 05-NQ/TW of the Politburo, Resolution No. 230-NQ/QUTW, dated 2 April 2022 of the Central Military Commission on organising the Vietnam People's Army until 2030 and the following years, the entire Army has been actively adjusting the organisations, staffing, and merging logistics and technical agencies at all levels based on the defined plan. That poses new issues for the entire Army in general and the Technical sector in particular that need to be resolved, including organising forces, mechanisms, regulations, methods of conducting assurance activities, etc. That reality requires the implementation of “building model units” to avoid limitations, shortcomings as well as waste in the process of performing tasks. In order to help “building model units” of technical work achieve the set goals and requirements, the article discusses and suggests some main issues.

First, it is necessary to correctly perceive the purpose and objective of "building model units" in order to guide technical work with the highest efficiency. The purpose of "building model units" in general, and in the technical work of the Army in particular, is to utilise leadership, command, resources and other conditions to test the scientific nature of decisions on the organisational model and operation of the Sector, especially in the condition of downsizing without practice while still having to create unity and regularity in the entire Sector or in units with common characteristics. Thereby, summarising, drawing experiences, quickly implementing unified models on a large scale (based on model units). From that purpose, the goal of "building model units" needs to be aimed at: piloting to draw experiences from the model of a form, type, or the entire system of logistics - technical agencies and facilities that are still unclear after the merger of two sectors; shape the model for technical organisations and operations to apply throughout the Army or in some units, especially merged or newly established ones; disseminate new operational measures, processes, and new technological solutions; thoroughly resolve weaknesses, long-standing problems of the units, etc. Correctly identifying and gradually implementing the goals to be achieved through "building model units" would contribute to bringing high efficiency in the work of building the Sector.

Second, it is necessary to plan "model units building" activities in the long-term as well as annually to proactively prepare facilities and implement them step by step in selected units. During this implementation, the Party Committees and commanders of agencies and units need to closely follow reality to select the content and level of "building model units". However, the selection of "building model units" content also depends on the leaders’ intention of building model units. Accordingly, for strategic-level technical agencies or technical sector heads, "building model units" needs to create new and exemplary models; comprehensively "build model units" of logistics - technical work and "building model units" to support weak units that require more investment. In particular, in the current conditions, it is very necessary to "build model units" at the strategic level, a model of a technical sector according to equipment manufacturing technology (abbreviated as technology); in which, clearly define the organisation of agencies and facilities of the sector; on the division of responsibilities between the technical sector head agency according to technology (located at the General Department of Logistics - Technique) with the military sector head agency (military service, arms and sector) and with the operational level commander. Drawing on the experience of the model of a sector would be a scientific basis for adjusting the division of technical sectors according to military administrative characteristics, with several overlaps, duplications, and waste in the previous organisation of the Technical sector. In addition, the strategic level needs to "build model units" on the organisational and operational work of logistics and technical agencies of strategic and operational level units.

For the operational level, it is necessary to "build model units" according to the direction of the strategic level with contents related to each level; directly guide "model unit building" to determine models for units with specific characteristics at each level according to the general model of the entire army; "building model units" on the organisation and operation of logistics and technical agencies of tactical level units; "building model units" to perfect units that have sufficient conditions; and "building model units" to support units with persistent weaknesses. For the tactical level, "building model units" should only aim to apply the model in each stage and focus on weak units in each aspect or speed up the strengthening of units that have sufficient factors and conditions.

Along with that, it is necessary to pay attention to selecting the units to be built as models, ensuring that "building model units" is consistent with the objectives of leadership level and the capabilities and actual conditions of the selected units. For qualified units, it is advisable to build technical model units comprehensively or on a certain aspect. For weak units or those with difficulties, it is necessary to focus on "building model units" to overcome weaknesses. For units with specific characteristics, it is advisable to "build model units" to clarify the unique points in technical work and build models for units of the same type. During the implementation process, it is necessary to take a survey of the actual situation of the units selected to "build model units" in a synchronous manner, with the participation of the presiding agencies and related agencies. This is a necessary step to clearly identify the capabilities and content of "building model units" for related units; basis for deciding whether to "build model units" or not, and the level and content of the building process. Accordingly, design the models, determine the content for "building model units" in each stage, for each level and each unit, as a basis for making long-term "model units building" master plan from 03 - 05 years, in order to proactively prepare the budget and guarantee factors with appropriate steps within each sector, military region, army corps, military service, arms and each unit.

Third, implementing "model unit building" must follow a strict and reasonable process. First of all, the steering agencies must make the decision on "model unit building" with full content, time and specific requirements, as a basis for the units to build up leadership resolutions and implementation plans. For units selected to be built as "model units", there must be a plan and investment coordination of the logistics sector and other sectors; The technical agencies at the command level must report to the commanders to make a decision requiring all relevant sectors to participate in. Accordingly, the plan of "building model units" should be one year long. For model units and model sectors, it is necessary to put large investments, and develop an implementation plan of 02-03 years, in order to identify support stages and implementation steps. The plan needs to be approved before the budget year to ensure appropriate support factors. In addition, the plan needs to identify the content of "building model units", the personnel and agencies in charge; the personnel, agencies and coordinating force, the implementation time in each month, quarter, and year. In particular, it is necessary to clearly define the budget (facilities and self-fund), and the commitment of agencies and organisations. To ensure feasibility, before developing a plan, the unit needs to organise the master plan, specific plan, technical design, and support, etc. for all work and all projects related to "building model units". The plan must be approved by the unit's superior commander and agreed upon by the participating agencies.

In the process of implementing "building model units", there must be close coordination among agencies and sectors, between the superior sector and the subordinate sector to promptly resolve the unit’s difficulties and problems. To effectively implement this task, it is necessary to include in the resolutions of the Party organisations at all levels regarding awareness and requirements for coordinated action in "building model units". "Building model units" requires appropriate implementation of the intention of the directing agency. Therefore, in addition to strictly approving the plan of "building the unit to be a model", the steering agency must plan to inspect and review the situation at each stage, especially at important and decisive moments; promptly draw experiences during the process and at the end.

Fourth, attach importance to measures to make "model units" become "popular". This is the final goal of "building model units". Therefore, in order to make "model units" quickly become popular, the steering agencies at all levels need to actively organise for agencies and units to visit and study in order to, on the one hand, continue to review and complete the work; on the other hand, change the awareness and create determination of visitors and learners. To achieve the highest efficiency, the subjects of visiting and studying "model units" should not only include technical staff, but also include the commanders of units that need to popularise the model units. Combining visiting and studying, the "building model units" steering committee needs to draw lessons for units to study and apply. After building model units at the upper level, there needs to be a plan to implement "building model units" at the lower level based on the models visited and studied that are suitable to the characteristics and situation of the unit.

A pivotal measure to expand the ‘model units’ is to require units to apply the contents of the model units as a key task, with a separate budget guaranteed for each year and period with inspection, evaluation. In particular, it is necessary to put the requirements of "building model units" into the content of the competitions of the whole Sector or of the military region, army corps, services, arms, etc.

"Building model units" of technical work in the whole army is a pivotal issue in the new condition. This process requires more research and implementation so that "model units" can quickly become "popular" in order to build a strong Sector, contributing to building a strong Army to safeguard the Fatherland.

Major General, Associate Professor, Dr PHAM DUNG TIEN & Lieutenant Colonel, Master DO MINH THUC