Improving training quality and combat readiness for self-defence forces in general and ethnic minority self-defence forces in particular has been emphasised, led, directed and implemented by the Party Committee and Command of Corps 15 by means of scientific and appropriate solutions, meeting the requirements and tasks in the new situation.

Corps 15 is based and operates in strategic and key areas in national defence and security in the provinces of Gia Lai, Quang Ngai, and Quang Tri, which are home to many ethnic minority groups.

In recent years, along with implementing socio-economic development projects, the Corps has focused on leading and directing its subordinate agencies and units thoroughly conduct combat readiness training for the self-defence forces in general, and that of ethnic minorities in particular, achieving many positive results. Notably, the awareness and responsibility of the self-defence cadres and soldiers regarding the tasks of training, combat readiness, and participation in maintaining political security and social order and safety in the area have been gradually enhanced; the organisation and staffing of self-defence units have been regularly consolidated and improved, ensuring sufficient numbers, reasonable structures and components. The training preparation work has received attention from the Party committees and commandant of agencies and units; the content and methods of training have been regularly innovated, closely following the tasks and areas, and the results have been constantly improved. The capabilities of combat readiness, combat and combat service of the self-defence units have seen positive changes, contributing to maintaining local political security, building a solid “people's heart and mind posture” and the all people’s national defence posture.

Commander of the Corps meets with self-defence force

Currently, the political security situation in the area where the Corps is stationed is basically stable, the socio-economic situation continues to grow, and the two-tiered local governments operate stably. However, the rural security situations in the border areas still have many potential risks of instability; hostile forces continue to step up sabotage activities aimed to undermine the great national unity bloc. Meanwhile, the Corps' self-defence forces have to perform many tasks simultaneously, which significantly affects the implementation of tasks of training and combat readiness. In order to continuously improve the quality of training and combat readiness for the ethnic minority self-defence forces, it focuses on implementing the following solutions well.

First, strengthening propaganda and education to raise awareness and responsibility for self-defence officers and soldiers about the tasks of training and combat readiness. As ethnic minority self-defence forces of the Corps are mainly from the Ede, Gia Rai, Xo Dang, Gie Trieng, Tay, Nung ethnic groups, etc., their cultural level and awareness are uneven. Therefore, raising awareness and sense of responsibility for them is an important requirement in self-defence work, deciding the results of task performance in general, and training and combat readiness tasks, in particular. Accordingly, the Corps continues to innovate and improve the quality of education and propaganda to make it comprehensive, focused, task-oriented. The contents of education are mainly about resolutions and directives of the Party, State, Central Military Commission, Ministry of National Defence on defence and security tasks; Law on Militia and Self-Defence Forces; Law on National Defence; plots and tricks of hostile and reactionary forces and the political security situation, social order and safety in the area; functions and tasks of the militia and the need to improve training quality and combat readiness in the new situation.

During the performance of this task, the Corps applies forms and methods of education and propaganda flexibly, creatively and diversely to make it suitable with the psychological characteristics of the targeted subjects; closely combines basic education with education on the fine traditions of each ethnic group, village, and hamlet. In addition, it promotes the vanguard, exemplary and prestigious role of cadres, party members, and union members who come from ethnic minority groups in self-defence work; take good care of the policy and mass mobilisation work to improve the effectiveness of models of connection between units and villages and households, making the self defence forces trust and attach to their units. This is to create unity in perception and action, practically improving the quality of training and combat readiness of this force.

Second, making thorough preparation before training. Based on the results achieved, the Corps continues to direct its agencies and units to thoroughly grasp the resolutions, directives and instructions of the superiors and the Corps on training work, and make careful preparation for training. First of all, it grasps the quantity and quality of workers, especially their political qualities and cultural level as a basis for selection to the self-defence force; perfect the organisation and staffing of the self-defence force in the “strong, widespread” direction, with a reasonable structure. Then, it selects cadres with sufficient capacity, experience and a high sense of responsibility to found specialised instructing groups, while conducting training thoroughly for the instructors and commanders of self-defence units.

Self-defence force of Factory 732 conduct live-firing

Third, proactively innovating training content and methods, and improving combat readiness. Implementing this solution well will contribute to improving the training quality and combat readiness of the self-defence force. Accordingly, the Corps directs its agencies and units to adhere to the motto of “basic, practical, quality”; conduct comprehensive training which is focused and relevant to tasks, objects, and areas. Emphasis is placed on technical and tactical training so that the force can proficiently use weapons, equipment, combat vehicles, explosives, and support tools in service, and perform self-defence tactics, especially the one used in combat in mountainous and border areas. Moreover, it strengthens scenario-based training for protecting production facilities, lives, and assets of units and people; preventing and fighting against enemy invasion of borders and airspace; and training on skills to prevent, combat, and overcome the consequences of natural disasters, search and rescue. As for the mobile self-defence force, training is focused on improving mobility, quick response, and the ability to coordinate with armed forces in the defensive area.

To improve training efficiency, the Corps promotes the application of science, technology, digital transformation in training administration and operation; employs interactive and modern training methods; and increases practical training time. Besides, it innovates the content and form of competitions, sports, and testing after each training season as a basis for improvements in the following years. In addition, its agencies and units continue to research and supplement new training contents, and propose to increase training time for difficult content to suit the cognitive level of ethnic minorities.

 Along with that, its units proactively review, adjust, supplement and practise combat plans and strategies to protect key targets, and combat coordination plans in regional defence operations. Combat readiness, patrol and control regimes are seriously maintained during holidays, New Year, and major political events of the country, especially in performing the task of disaster relief. Improve the effectiveness of coordination and cooperation with functional forces in the area to grasp the situation, promptly handle situations, and avoid being made passive or surprised.

Fourth, offering favourable payments and, policies for the self-defence force when they perform training and combat readiness tasks. The Corps continues to research and perfect internal regulations on payments and policies for the self-defence force in accordance with the provisions of the Law on Militia and Self-Defence Forces and the economic development pace in the area. Moreover, additional allowances are encouraged depending on the resources of each economic-defence unit. On a regular basis, payments and social welfare policies of the self-defence force when performing training, combat readiness and disaster prevention and control, search and rescue, etc. are informed and publicised. Besides, they are exempt from their daily work so that they all can participate in training to achieve the best results. Payments are made in a timely and exact manner together with serious check and supervision regimes to avoid mistakes and errors. Promote the movements of “Military joining hands to build new rural areas”, “Military joining hands for the poor – Leaving no one behind”, develop infrastructure, improve the living standards for the locals.

Fully aware of the role of the self-defence force in carrying out defence and military work in its agencies and units, and the characteristics of operating areas, Corps 15 is determined to further improve the quality of training and combat readiness for the self-defence force of ethnic minorities, contributing to firmly protecting the strategic areas of the Fatherland in the new situation.

Major General HOANG VAN SY, Commander of the Corps