First day in the army

Visiting newly enlisted soldiers of Infantry Regiment 125 (Hai Duong Provincial Military Command), stationed in Cong Hoa Ward (Chi Linh City), the first impression is a regular, spacious, green, clean, and beautiful barracks.

Starting a new life in the military environment with a bit of strangeness, confusion, mixed with missing family and relatives, but above all, the determination to train and adapt to the formal, disciplined environment of the new recruits on the first day of enlistment. The regiment has just completed receiving 230 new soldiers from the provinces of Hoa Binh, Hung Yen and Hai Duong.

Private Ha Duc Dat, a soldier of Squad 11, Platoon 4, Company 1, from Mai Chau district, Hoa Binh province, said: “Before coming to the unit, I was quite worried and confused. Coming here, with the encouragement and guidance of the cadres who are like brothers in the family, I am no longer worried. I have learned everything from the daily routine to how to arrange everything neatly and scientifically. When I was at home, I rarely paid attention to this.”

When his hair was styled neatly by the squad leader and “barber”, Private Pham Khanh Phong, Squad 16, Platoon 5, Company 2, from Phu Cu District, Hung Yen, shared: “My family has a revolutionary tradition. I am determined to join the army to promote that precious tradition. I also want to practice perseverance, endurance and science in the military environment”.

According to Major Vuong Van Minh, Deputy Political Commissar of Battalion 2, the new soldiers come from many regions and have different levels of education. In order for them to quickly integrate and unite, each officer and unit commander must have a firm grasp of each person's situation. Here, each new soldier feels the closeness and sharing of his comrades. All difficulties and problems are taken care of and resolved promptly. The commander guides and instructs the new soldiers directly, wholeheartedly, and wholeheartedly, even in the smallest matters, so that the new soldiers consider this as their second family.

Talking about his feelings on the first day in the army, Private Ha Cong Quoc Anh, a soldier of Company 1, Battalion 2 from a small commune in Mai Chau district, Hoa Binh province, said: “This is an important milestone in our lives. The first night I slept in the unit, I missed home very much. But in return, here we have brothers, comrades, teammates."

Getting used to a completely new environment, but thanks to the closeness and intimacy of their teammates, the homesickness of the new soldiers gradually subsided. The first day in the unit was very familiar but orderly. The soldiers woke up at 5:30 a.m., practiced folding blankets and mosquito nets neatly, then had breakfast, cleaned, took care of the trees, etc. In addition to studying, the new soldiers participated in cultural, artistic, physical education and sports activities that were fun and healthy.

New soldiers in the 125th Infantry Regiment will have about 1-2 weeks to get used to the new lifestyle before entering the training season. The confusion will pass, but the camaraderie and team spirit will remain forever. Entering the military environment, they all carry within them the determination to study, train, and strive to complete their tasks well, worthy of the trust and pride of their families and relatives.