Twenty years old in the middle of Truong Sa sea and sky: Signal soldier on a remote island

Dinh Do Thien's dream of wearing the navy uniform has come true - Photo: HA THANH

The tall guy with a gentle smile, a strong appearance under the sunlight of the sea, loved by the uncles and brothers on the island, is Dinh Do Thien - from Ninh Binh, currently a reporting officer on Toc Tan C island.

For new soldiers, the island commanders often hold unit meetings and meetings not only to thoroughly understand the military traditions, the traditions and achievements of the island, but also to create a bond like a family, to complete the mission well together. The intelligence officer Dinh Do Thien has just arrived on the island but has shown great potential in his qualities and abilities.

Lieutenant TRAN NGOC QUYET (commander of Toc Tan C island)

Never give up on your dreams

Loving the navy uniform, Thien had cherished the dream of one day wearing the blue and white uniform. His family was a farmer and no one joined the military, but when their son expressed his wish to enroll in the Naval Academy, Thien's parents immediately supported his decision.

At the age of 18, Thien registered for the Naval Academy. He studied day and night, tried his best to review, but on the day he received the results, he was sad because he was not lucky enough, missing 1 point, so he had to miss the appointment.

Not giving up on his dream, he put his studies on hold and volunteered to join the army with the desire to devote his youth to the army. Once again, his parents continued to support their son's decision unconditionally, only instructing him very carefully: "In the army, try to train hard and study hard to fulfill your dream."

The eighteen-year-old boy eagerly joined the army, entering the military environment as he had always dreamed of. After three months of training for new recruits, Dinh Do Thien attended an elementary information class and then received his assignment at the 602nd Information Brigade (Navy General Staff). This unit is responsible for ensuring smooth information for the Navy to direct and command forces to firmly protect the sovereignty of the sea and islands.

Working in the brigade, Dinh Do Thien gradually developed the qualities, abilities and expertise of a signal soldier. The young soldier always admitted that he was not good at anything, but only thanks to the loving guidance of his seniors and the dedicated guidance of his teachers, was he able to develop his own qualities.

After working at the unit, Dinh Do Thien was sent to study for two more years at the Naval Technical College and then continued to work at Brigade 602. At the end of 2023, he was trusted by his superiors to be assigned to work in the Truong Sa archipelago.

After completing three months of training at Naval Region 4, Dinh Do Thien set foot on Truong Sa for the first time. Thus, his dream of wearing a navy uniform has come true. The pride is even greater when Thien says that he is performing his duty in the sacred sea and sky, contributing to protecting the sovereignty of the Fatherland.

Go to the island to improve yourself

Rare moments of exchange and meeting between mainland youths visiting and encouraging young soldiers working on Toc Tan C island - Photo: HA THANH

Honestly, not many people thought Thien could handle the waves. During the first days of drifting on the boat to the island, he lay flat on the bed because of seasickness, only daring to eat rice cakes and dry food because he was afraid that if he ate liquid food, he would vomit. Then everyone encouraged him to get up from the bed, practice walking outside to look at each wave, Thien tried to step outside.

And then finally set foot on the island. After days of overcoming seasickness, there were months of training, overcoming the sun and rain in Truong Sa. That was the time that helped young soldiers like Thien gradually get used to the challenges, starting to accept the hardships in the harsh weather conditions typical of the island.

"That training process has forged my will and mettle to get used to and gradually overcome all difficulties and hardships, especially the heatstroke and windstroke that every young soldier must experience when going to the island for the first time," Thien confided.

The secret to his health is nothing special except perseverance and regular exercise. Only that way can Thien improve his health every day to withstand the sun and wind of Truong Sa. His once rosy white skin has now been replaced by tanned skin, "evenly dark and never sunstroke" as he claims.

At work, Thien clearly determined that he must always strive to complete the assigned tasks in the best way. Therefore, he always constantly improves himself and enhances his self-study spirit. That is also taking advantage of learning from his uncles and seniors in the role of an information soldier on the island.

Happy to contribute

After more than seven years in the military, the young soldier believes that the most important thing is to persistently pursue the set goals. Looking out to sea, he said that whenever he faces difficulties, he often thinks about his family as a way to motivate himself, and also to make his parents on the mainland proud of their son.

Looking back on his past journey, Thien said he has never regretted his choice, especially the months working on Truong Sa Island. It was that environment that helped him challenge himself and improve himself. More importantly, do not give up on your dreams and persevere in pursuing your passion to the end.

"From my position on a remote island, I want to tell the young people on the mainland that no matter what, they must try to fulfill their goals. What could be better than contributing to serving and developing a stronger country?" - professional military lieutenant Dinh Do Thien shared.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/tuoi-doi-muoi-giua-bien-troi-truong-sa-linh-thong-tin-noi-dao-xa-2024062022342664.htm