It is called a training ground but in reality it is a public sports area on Ta Quang Buu Street, used by the Ward Military Command to train in baton attack positions. Although the weather is sometimes rainy, sometimes sunny, the militia soldiers are still enthusiastic in training.

Comrade Ngo Phan Quang Chien, Commander of the Ward 10 Military Command, directly instructed the militia soldiers at the training ground, sharing: "The training work of the Ward Military Command is always maintained closely and effectively, with creative training methods, suitable for each subject; the training content is close to the local situation, meeting the requirements of the assigned tasks. In addition, officers and soldiers always have the spirit to overcome difficulties in weather as well as the training ground and training grounds to excellently complete the training content according to the plan. In the first 6 months of 2023, the number of soldiers participating in training was guaranteed to be 100%; the results were 100% satisfactory, of which 86.7% were good and excellent. Notably, at the 2023 District 8 National Defense Sports Festival just held, the Ward 10 Military Command won first place in the whole delegation, up 2 places compared to 2022".

Officers of the Military Command of Ward 10 (District 8, Ho Chi Minh City) instruct militia soldiers on how to use batons.

In recent times, the armed forces of District 8 have focused on implementing Directive 732 of the Commander of Military Region 7 and Directive 905 of the Commander of the Ho Chi Minh City Command on building pilot units for command training, building regulations, and managing discipline. With the determination to create changes and improve the quality of training for the militia and self-defense forces, the Military Command of District 8 and military agencies of wards in the area have promoted their core role in advising local Party committees and authorities, making breakthroughs in overcoming shortcomings and difficulties in preparation work; at the same time, maintaining strict and orderly approved training plans...

Lieutenant Colonel Vo Thanh Phong, Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff of District 8 Military Command, said: "To overcome the difficulties in training grounds, especially training grounds that require large areas for events such as shooting, grenade throwing, and tactics, we have directed and guided the Military Commands of wards to proactively contact and borrow vacant land from projects, stadiums, state agency campuses, and schools to make training grounds. With the attention and help of local authorities and friendly units, training grounds for militia and self-defense forces have been arranged and organized reasonably. Ensuring enough training grounds helps the training process to be convenient and close to reality. Thereby, the quality of training is increasingly improved.

Thanks to the results achieved in training and the trust of local Party committees and authorities, in the coming time, the District 8 Military Command will coordinate with units to continue launching the Mobile Militia Combat Company, the Self-Defense Command of the Rehabilitation Hospital for Occupational Diseases, the Military Command of Satra Corporation (Satra District 8 Branch); launching self-defense units at kindergartens, primary schools, and secondary schools in the district.

Article and photos: XUAN DUY