Impressions of "Navy Semester"

Students participating in the "Naval Semester" visit the traditional room of the 131st Engineering Brigade (Navy)

With new content, the program helps children have many interesting experiences and understand more about the soldiers guarding the islands of the Fatherland.

Real experience

At 5am sharp, the students participating in the "Military Semester" wake up to do physical exercises. Activities during the day include: participating in military training and skills exercises. In the evening, they read newspapers, listen to the news and study politics on various topics. A day of training ends after the students write their diaries, take roll calls and give the order to turn off the lights and go to bed.

During the 7 days here, the students had the opportunity to participate in many new experiences from the uniform to the demeanor of a navy soldier; learn skills to prevent drowning, avoid electric shock; visit some models and works of the 131st Engineering Brigade... Instead of dry lectures, the introduction of the 131st Engineering Brigade's tradition and the history of the Vietnam People's Army was organized by the unit through the radio system in the morning and evening and organized a tour of the unit's traditional room, so most of the students were excited to learn.

Unlike last year's "Military Semester", this is the first year the program was held outside the province, with 90 children aged 10-17 participating. According to Mr. Nguyen Hong Sang, Secretary of the Provincial Youth Union, this is a new feature in the Provincial Youth Union's coordination program this year, helping young people gain more experience in a new environment, and better understand the image of naval soldiers. Although it only takes place for a short time, the "Military Semester" program is very meaningful, helping to raise students' awareness and attitudes towards family and society, especially life and communication skills.

Many students participating in the first "Military Semester" in 2022 at Regiment 2, Division 395, Military Region 3 (Chi Linh City) continued to participate in the second session at Engineer Brigade 131. Hoang Trung Hai in Thanh Binh Ward (Hai Duong City) participated in both sessions and said: "Each unit has different experiential activities, but I find them all very interesting and meaningful."

This semester, there were quite a few female students participating. There was no special regime, the female students also had to follow the orders and practice on the training ground like real soldiers.

More mature

After 7 days of being a “navy soldier” at the 131st Engineering Brigade, Ha Minh Nhat in Quang Trung Ward (Hai Duong City) is much more mature than before. Minh Nhat knows how to show concern for his family members, voluntarily sits at the desk to study, wash dishes, sweep the house… things he had never done before.

Mr. Nguyen Vinh Phu, Chief of the Provincial Youth Union Office, who directly managed the children for a week, shared: “The children are very active, most of them have not lived far from their families, so in the first days some children cried and missed their parents, some children were not used to waking up early, and fell asleep while exercising… The military semester has trained the children to adapt to all living conditions, and to become more mature when leaving the protective arms of their families.”

Returning home after a week of living and training under military discipline, the children have formed a more independent and confident way of life, knowing how to help their parents, and cherishing family affection... Mr. Ha Son, parent of Ha Minh Nhat, said: "When he first joined the course, my family was very worried, because he had never been far from home and was used to being taken care of by his family. The military semester has helped him change a lot. Next year, I will continue to let my child practice in this special course."

NGUYEN THAO