Deeply aware of the position, role, and missions of a mobile main force in modern warfare, Mechanised Infantry Division 308 has been resolutely and comprehensively implementing a range of measures to build itself into an elite, highly mobile force with great combat power, meeting the requirements of Fatherland construction and protection in the new situation.

Division 308 is a mechanised infantry division and a mobile main force within the combat formation of Army Corps 12 - the first “adept, compact, strong” mobile main army corps of our Vietnam People’s Army (VPA). It is tasked with training, combat readiness, defence diplomacy, and other assigned missions.

The task of Fatherland protection amid rapid advances in military science and technology, which are profoundly affecting methods of warfare, together with the emergence of new forms of warfare and methods of combat, has placed more demanding requirements on mobile main units in terms of mobility, adaptability, combined-arms operations, and combat capacity under complex conditions.

Party General Secretary To Lam during his visit to Regiment 102, Division 308, Army Corps 12 (photo: qdnd.vn)

On the basis of the orientations and directives of the Central Military Commission (CMC) and the Ministry of National Defence, and under the leadership and direction of the Party Committee and Command of Army Corps 12, the Division’s Party Committee and Command have focused their leadership and direction on implementing the road map for building a “revolutionary, regular, elite, modern”  full-strength mechanised infantry division with high mobility and combat power through comprehensive and coordinated measures.

First, focusing leadership and direction on building politically strong agencies and units. To meet their task requirements in the new situation, every officer and soldier must possess political steadfastness, a high degree of determination, and the courage to face hardship and sacrifice, being “ready to fight, determined to fight, and knowing how to fight and win”. Therefore, the Division has attached importance to strengthening political and ideological education and traditional education to render every officer and soldier deeply aware of Marxism - Leninism, Ho Chi Minh Thought, the Party’s military and defence lines, the task of defending the Fatherland, and the task requirements of Army Corps 12 and the Division itself. Besides, it has improved the quality of ideological monitoring, management, and guidance, proactively combating manifestations of wavering resolve, reluctance to face difficulties and hardship, and declining combat will, helping officers and soldiers gain a clear understanding of their duties, clearly identifying partners, adversaries, and the plots and tactics of “peaceful evolution” of hostile forces, as well as the necessity of building an elite, highly mobile unit with high overall quality and combat power. These efforts have helped strengthen solidarity, political steadfastness, confidence, and resolve, enabling officers and soldiers to stand ready to undertake all assigned tasks, thereby upholding the tradition of the “Vanguard Division” in the new era.

In the process, the Division has consistently adhered to its practical task requirements, actively renewing the content, methods, and forms of education, stepping up the application of science, technology, and digital transformation to improve the effectiveness of education and propagation, focusing on reforming ideological leadership and management to make them more proactive, timely, and targeted, resolutely defending the ideological foundation, preventing any signs of ideological deterioration, “self-evolution”, or “self-transformation” from within. As a result, 100% of its personnel have passed political knowledge assessments, with over 78% achieving good or excellent results; its agencies and units have maintained a high degree of solidarity and unity and successfully fulfilled all assigned tasks.

Notably, the Division has attached great value to enhancing leadership capacity and combativeness, while focusing on building Party committees and Party organisations at all levels strong in terms of politics, ideology, ethics, organisation, and personnel, ensuring that they genuinely serve as the nucleus of leadership and the centre of solidarity, strengthening the management and training of its contingent of cadres and Party members, developing a  pool of cadres, particularly key leaders, with the requisite qualities, capabilities, and prestige to meet their task requirements. It has disseminated and effectively implemented the directives issued by General Secretary, State President, and Secretary of the CMC To Lam on “two steadfast commitments”, “two accelerations”, and “two preventions”, as well as the “five pillars” motto and “six clear requirements”. It has stepped up the study and practice of Ho Chi Minh’s Thought, ethics, methodology, and lifestyle, promoting the cultural values of “Uncle Ho’s Soldiers” in the new era, in conjunction with the Determined to Win Emulation Movement and peak and ad hoc emulation campaigns as a solid foundation for building a politically strong Division.

Second, building an adept, compact, strong, highly mobile force, proactively mastering and effectively operating new, modern weapon systems. In implementing the road map for building a full-strength mechanised infantry division, the Division’s Party Committee and Command have directed its agencies and units to develop specific, rigorous, practical action programmes and plans, ensuring that “each expansion is accompanied by firm consolidation”. This approach has enabled the Division to develop its force while maintaining the quality of training and combat readiness. On the basis of higher-level directives and guidance, as well as experience in organising and employing mechanised infantry forces, the Division has coordinated with relevant bodies and given advice on the development of a new organisational structure suited to its task requirements and with a balance between combat and support elements. In addition, it has proactively prepared its contingent of cadres at all levels and stepped up the renovation and construction of barracks, warehouses, and technical facilities, ensuring comprehensiveness and regularity in all aspects.

An infantry fighting vehicle during training (photo: qdnd.vn)

In recent years, the Division has rigorously received various types of new and modern weapon systems. At the same time, it has directed its units to thoroughly study these systems’ structures, technical and tactical specifications, and operating procedures, and select highly qualified technical officers and personnel to serve as the core force in receiving technologies and operating the equipment. Training and refresher courses have subsequently been organised to ensure consistency throughout the Division. During the training and professional development of its cadres, the Division has strictly maintained a systematic process, from mastering the equipment's technical characteristics and structure to operating procedures, from individual personnel to combat crews and gradually advancing to combined-arms operations at company and battalion levels. It has also attached importance to ensuring the quality of technical support, particularly equipment preservation, maintenance, minor repairs, and medium-level repairs. It has stepped up movements to research and develop technical initiatives and innovations, while applying science and technology to the exploitation and use of equipment, thereby improving the effectiveness and reliability of its weapon systems. To date, it has gradually mastered and effectively operated the new-generation infantry fighting vehicle (XCB-01), together with a number of other new and modern equipment systems, contributing to enhanced mobility and combat power.

Third, making breakthroughs in renewing and improving the quality of training and combat readiness. Identifying this as a critically important factor determining the successful fulfilment of its missions, the Division has focused on thoroughly preparing for training, with particular emphasis on training cadres in charge of specialised mechanised infantry training. In training, it has adhered closely to the guiding principle of “basics, practicality, solidity”, attaching importance to coordinated and specialised training tailored to potential adversaries, operational areas, and weaponry. It has focused on training in firing exercises, driving exercises, obstacle crossing, and operations across complex terrain and steep gradients. It has intensified training in manoeuvring, formation movement, and camouflage, in tandem with measures to evade and counter attacks by enemy unmanned aerial vehicles. In particular, it has increased field exercises and combined-arms training between infantry and combat vehicles, artillery, air defence forces, and other elements, with a view to enhancing combined-arms operational capabilities. Drawing on lessons from recent conflicts and the introduction of new weapons and equipment, it has promptly incorporated new developments in the art of mechanised infantry warfare and combined-arms operations into its training programmes. It has actively applied science, technology, and digital transformation to training management and operation, as well as testing and assessment. Additionally, it has brought into full play the advisory, leadership, and guidance roles of its agencies, together with the responsibilities of commanders and political commissars in carrying out training tasks. It has strengthened inspection and supervision, promptly addressing shortcomings, ensuring “training, testing, and assessment with substance”, without pursuing achievements or being complacent with the results already attained. During the first eight months of 2026, for specialised firing tests, 100% of its participating forces met the requirements, with 82.6% achieving good or excellent results; in live-fire tactical exercises at mechanised infantry platoon level, it achieved good results in tactics and excellent results in techniques.

To meet the operational requirements of mechanised infantry in modern warfare, the Division has attached significance to training and exercises aimed at enhancing the mobility of sub-units, as well as the command and coordination capabilities of commanders at all levels. At the same time, it has proactively developed and regularly reviewed, adjusted, and finalised its system of combat plans, resolutions, and scenarios suited to its evolving mission requirements and the operational intentions of Army Corps 12. It has frequently organised reconnaissance forces to conduct surveys and on-site inspections, prepare the battlefield, and complete operational plans and manoeuvre arrangements, thus ensuring readiness to meet operational requirements whenever contingencies arise. It has strictly maintained command, headquarters, and combat readiness duty regimes from division down to sub-unit levels, with particular emphasis on national holidays and major political events of the Party, State, and VPA. Moreover, it has coordinated with forces stationed in the area to develop plans and carry out exercises on the “Sustainable Air Defence Dome” operational scenario, ensuring readiness to provide direct protection for its combat formations and establish an interconnected, extensive air defence posture.

Thoroughly grasping the guidance of General Secretary, State President, and Secretary of the CMC To Lam that the Division must continue to “take the lead in building a revolutionary, regular, elite, modern VPA, take the lead in training and combat readiness, take the lead in developing science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation, and take the lead in mastering modern weapons and technical equipment…”, officers and soldiers of Mechanised Infantry Division 308 are determined to overcome difficulties and focus on building the Division into an elite force with high mobility and combat power, standing ready to undertake and successfully accomplish all assigned tasks and contributing to the firm defence of the Fatherland.

Sr. Col. NGUYEN NGOC KHANH

Commander of the Division