Being fully aware of its assigned functions and responsibilities, the Quartermaster branch has upheld its traditions, promoted innovation, and enhanced work quality to meet the demands of building an elite, compact, strong, modern Army, capable of firmly defending the Fatherland under new circumstances.

In recent years, the Quartermaster branch, directly the Quartermaster Department, has actively followed the situation, conducted in-depth research, and provided timely advice and proposals to the General Department of Logistics (now the General Department of Logistics-Technology) and the Ministry of National Defence (MND). These proposals include numerous guidelines and solutions to reform and improve quality and efficiency of quartermaster work, thereby meeting requirements of military building, strengthening of national defence, and protection of the Fatherland. Notably, the department has effectively researched, planned, and implemented various strategies, programmes, and tasks, advised on the development, issuance, and amendment of legal documents regarding supply regimes and standards, improved logistics supply methods, and innovated designs for military uniforms and gear. These efforts have marked a significant step forward in logistics support work. More importantly, the quartermaster activities have seen continuous innovation and quality improvement. The branch has comprehensively implemented measures to manage, source, and procure quartermaster supplies, invested and upgraded standard, modern mess halls, intensified agricultural production, and effectively ensured nutrition for troops. Uniform supply has been closely aligned with the operational realities of military units. The branch actively conduct research into and innovation on military garments suited to weather conditions and specific requirements of services. Noteworthy achievements include improvements to the K24 ceremonial uniform for commissioned officers and professional-technical officers, K20 combat uniform; and ceremonial attire for national and military parades, among other uniform products, contributing significantly to the development of a regular, modern military force and enhancing the image of “Uncle Ho’s Soldiers.” Agricultural production has seen remarkable progress through strategic initiatives in food production and processing and ensuring hygiene, safety, and sustainability. The successful implementation of the project titled “Enhancing the Effectiveness of Agricultural Production and Processing in the Military for Sustainable and Safe Development in the 2021-2025 period and towards 2030” (Project QN-21) has yielded positive results.

Farming at Regiment 102, Division 308,Corps 12

In the coming time, the evolving mission of military building presents higher demands for logistical and technological support, including quartermaster services. However, challenges remain, including fluctuating prices, climate change, natural disasters, epidemics, budget limitations, and supply constraints. To meet these challenges effectively, the Quartermaster branch is committed to the guiding principles of “proactivity, innovation, creativity, self-reliance, and resilience” by vigorously and synchronously implementing comprehensive solutions, mobilising overall power across all levels, most notably the following solutions.

First, it is necessary to stay updated on developments and improve research quality to provide sound advice to leaders and commanders at all levels regarding quartermaster work. Quartermaster agencies will continue to thoroughly implement the Resolution No. 8 of the 13th Party Central Committee on the “Strategy to Safeguard the Fatherland in the New Situation” and the Resolution No. 1658-NQ/QUTW, dated 20 December 2022, of the Central Military Commission (CMC) on military logistics work through 2030 and beyond. The resolutions and directives of higher authorities serve as the foundation to enhance research and advisory capacities regarding quartermaster work, particularly at the strategic level. Key tasks include organisational restructuring to align with military planning, completing legal frameworks and mechanisms, improving supply methods and adjusting reserve supply quotas for combat readiness and national defence.

In addition, the department will propose investments in modernising quartermaster equipment to meet training and combat readiness needs, and for disaster response and search-rescue operations. It will also help develop quartermaster capabilities and logistics infrastructure in defence zones, especially in strategic areas, ensuring readiness for various national defence scenarios. Furthermore, it will continue to play a key role in directing and guiding patriotic emulation movements such as “Military Logistics Following Uncle Ho’s Teachings” and “Building Units with Strong Nutrition and Efficient Quartermaster Management,” to inspire collective strength and improve support quality.

Second, the Quartermaster branch is to provide timely and sufficient quartermaster support for all missions to meet the demands of building an elite, compact, strong military advancing towards modernity. The sector will stay closely aligned with actual training and combat readiness tasks while implementing comprehensive logistics work. For troop sustenance, it will focus on improving sourcing and procurement methods for food supplies, adjusting meal budgets and rations in response to market fluctuations, and strengthening hygiene and food safety measures. Efforts will be made to improve cooking techniques and dining conditions to enhance troop well-being. The transition from outdated steam cookers to modern oil and electric stoves will be accelerated, alongside the installation of water filtration and bottling systems, kitchen equipment modernisation, and uniform upgrades. Uniform products will be further researched and improved for comfort, durability, and modern aesthetics, ensuring timely distribution in accordance with regulations and needs.

As far as agricultural production is concerned, Project QN-21 will be further implemented in the direction of concentration, synchronicity, and scale in accordance with each type of unit, as well as potential and strength of regions. There is a need to conduct overall planning of barrack premises and allocate budgets for synchronous, sustainable, and effective implementation. Efforts should be put into closed agricultural production and food processing, locally sourcing food to ensure quality, safety, reasonable prices, and reserves to meet requirements of unplanned missions. The entire branch is to successfully carry out the regulation which stipulates that the prices of products from agricultural production and processing are always lower than market prices, and ceaselessly improve soldiers’ meal quality.

Third, emphasis is placed on strengthening staffing and building a professional, ethical quartermaster workforce to serve as the core in fulfilling supply duties in the new situation. Based on the results of previous reorganisation, the Quartermaster Department will continue to propose compact and strong personnel structures. It aims to build all-level quartermaster units that are comprehensively strong, exemplary, and staffed with both morally upright and technically proficient personnel. Efforts will focus on rational personnel distribution, leveraging individual strengths, and establishing a dedicated core workforce for agricultural production and food processing. The department will also advise and guide units in maintaining training programmes by tier, organising competitions and technical evaluations to improve skill levels, and promoting a service-oriented attitude among quartermaster staff. Additionally, policies will be developed to encourage continuous learning and skill development while strictly correcting misconceptions and misconduct in support work.

Fourth, promoting scientific research, technological application, and digital transformation in quartermaster activities. This includes the research and application of scientific and technological advancements, particularly in field and specialised unit equipment, and the modernisation of kitchens and mess halls.

Upcoming initiatives will focus on manufacturing mobile kitchen trucks for field training and operations, testing compact water filtration systems for independent companies and border posts, trialing dishwashing machines in academies and headquarters, and deploying clothing dryers in border posts, etc., progressively integrating modern technology into support work to reduce labour intensity. High-tech applications in farming, disease control, and environmental protection will continue to enhance the quality of troop nutrition. Digital transformation will also be accelerated, with standardised reporting software and technical innovations applied in management and oversight across the military.

Being inspired by President Ho Chi Minh’s belief that “Adequate supplies make a strong army,” the officers, staff, and soldiers of the Quartermaster branch remain determined to enhance their work quality, fulfill their functions and duties in the new context, and contribute to building a lean, strong, modern Army capable of defending the nation under all circumstances.

Major General AN PHUONG NAM, Director General of the Quartermaster Department