Being born since the early days of the resistance war against the French colonialists, over the past 70 years, Artillery Corps has seen considerable growth in both size of strength and combat art, affirming its role and position as a main corps of our ground forces and Military. Artillery troops have surmounted hardships and difficulties to successfully accomplish their assigned tasks and gained numerous victorious feats of arms, deserving the 8 golden words presented by Uncle Ho: “Bronze feet, iron shoulder, good combat, and accurate fire”. In recognition of their achievements, the Corps and its units have been praised many times by the State and the Ministry of National Defence with noble awards, including the title “Hero of the People’s Armed Forces” for its 15 cadres and 78 units.

At present, the mission of Fatherland protection is setting new and higher requirements which demand that the Corps ceaselessly improve its overall quality, its maneuverability and its combat readiness capability. To successfully accomplish their assigned tasks and deserve its achievements and glorious tradition, the Party Committee and Command of the Corps have agreed on building it comprehensively strong towards the direction of “revolutionary, regular, seasoned, and gradually modern”, in which political strength is of primary importance.

First, emphasis has been placed on the renewal and improvement of the quality of political education and ideological orientation with the aim to make cadres and soldiers of the Corps steadfast in politics. Inheriting and promoting the gained achievements, the Party Committee and Command of the Corps decided to continue to lead and direct the renewal and enhancement of the effectiveness of political education, focusing on the implementation of the Project of “Renewing political education at units in the new period” with various contents and models relevant to its functions and tasks. During the implementation, political education has been associated with legal dissemination, the observance of Democratic Regulations, and the Campaign of “Promoting tradition, dedicating talents, deserving to be Uncle Ho’s soldiers”. Thereby, its cadres and soldiers are equipped with sound political steadfastness and stance. They are deeply imbued with the goal and ideal of national independence and socialism; resolutely believe in the leadership of the Party and the victory of the renewal cause. Besides, it strengthens the emulation and commendation work and the Determine to Win movement with a focus on the political, new and difficult tasks; actively and regularly orientate troop’s ideology before new and sensitive issues; proactively combat against “peaceful evolution” in ideological and cultural field; refute the wrongful and hostile arguments, harmful information, and prevent internal “self-evolution” and “self-transformation”, while improving the spiritual and cultural life of troops. As a result, its internal solidarity has been strengthened; democracy has been promoted. Its troops always observe State’s laws and Military disciplines. 100% of its troops are determined to accomplish their tasks. There is no sign of degradation in politics, morality and lifestyle. They have shown high degree of unity in awareness, ideology and action, and their readiness to receive and accomplish their assigned tasks.

Second, build the party organizations strong in politics, ideology, structure and ethic; improve the all-round leadership capability and combativeness of party organizations and the quality of party members. Party committees and organizations at all levels of the Corps continue to grasp and implement effectively resolutions, directives and conclusion of the Party and the Central Military Commission on Party building and rectification, especially the Central Resolution 4 (XII tenure) on Party building and rectification; the Conclusion 111-KL/QUTW dated 12^th February 2019 of the Standing Office of the Central Military Commission on continue to enhance the leadership capability, combativeness of party organizations and quality of cadres and party members in the Military in the new period. During the implementation, it attaches closely to the implementation of the Directive 05-CT/TW of the Politburo (XII tenure), Directive 87-CT/QUTW of the Standing Office of the Central Military Commission on strengthening the study and follow Ho Chi Minh’s thought, morality, and style; seriously adhere to the regulations of the Party Central Committee, the Politburo, Secretariat and Standing Office of the Central Military Commission on exemplary duty. Attach importance to improving the virtues, revolutionary ethics, capability, intellect and practical experience for its cadres and party members. Regularly consolidate and perfect the structure of party organizations to fit the structural adjustments of the Corps. In the short run, the Corps Party Committee focuses on leading and directing its affiliates to make careful preparation for and successfully hold Party Congresses at all levels in a serious manner prior to the Corps’ 14^th Party Congress (2020 – 2025 tenure), thereby continue to improving leading capability, combativeness and making the Corps’ Party really exemplary.

Third, build a sufficient contingent of cadres with appropriate quantity and qualities, meeting the requirements of the mission. Deeply imbued with Uncle Ho’s saying that “Cadre is the root of all causes”, the Party Committee and Command of the Corps continue to lead and direct its offices, units and schools to study, grasp and seriously implement the resolutions, directives, regulations of the Party, Central Military Commission and the Ministry of National Defence on cadre work, directly the Resolution 390-NQ/ĐU dated 25 June 2019 of the Corps’ Party Committee on “Building the artillery cadres, especially at operational level and the presiding ones capable of meeting the requirements in the new situation”. Continue to review the quantity and quality of its cadres to make recommendation to the Ministry of National Defence on the restructuring of the Corps and the improvement of the quality of its cadres. Adhere to the procedures and principles to ensure democracy and objectivity in assessing, evaluating, planning, training, designating and promoting the cadres in order to build a contingent of cadres with required qualities and abilities, political steadfastness, absolute loyalty to the Party, State and People, good health, appropriate quantity and structure. It is targeted that: neither its commanding officer nor member of its party committees will breach regulations or disciplines, and 100% of its cadres will accomplish their assigned tasks, including at least 80% accomplishing well their tasks.

Together with the above measures, the Corps will continue to lead and directs its offices and units to build the mass organizations strong,; strengthen public work and special propagation; participate in building the strong grassroots political system; build the firm “people’s heart and mind posture” in the stationing areas; regularly pay attention to the life of troops and the policies regarding the Military and welfare of military families; thoroughly conduct security measures, and opportunely deal with emerging issues; actively combat to defeat the strategy of “peaceful evolution”, as well as schemes of “self-evolution”, “self-transformation”, and “civilianisation” of the Military by hostile forces, ensuring 100% of its offices and units are pure and strong, and absolutely safe in politics.

Major General Hoang Quang Thuan, Political Commissar of the Corps