Under the scorching sun with not a breeze, the stifling heat radiating from the ground caused sweat to stream down soldier Phan Tung Duong's face. Thanks to thorough training from his unit and his own efforts, Duong calmly and confidently performed the shooting, explosive handling, and grenade throwing maneuvers with high scores, earning him the title of "Outstanding Soldier in Three Areas." The results of the "three explosions" test for new recruits across the entire regiment were also quite high and consistent, despite the unit facing numerous difficulties during this training season.

New recruits of Regiment 764, Nghe An Provincial Military Command, undergo a grenade throwing test. Photo: HOANG ANH

The 764th Regiment's barracks are under construction, and the unit has to temporarily relocate to another site, requiring rearrangement of everything from living quarters to training grounds and practice areas. The Regiment proactively overcame these difficulties, mobilizing all resources to secure a training ground in Hung Nguyen district, about 15km from the unit, covering over 4 hectares, to support training activities. The new training ground is still spacious, so the unit has added large, airy bamboo and thatch shelters, enough for a platoon to rest during breaks.

To ensure the successful completion of the "three explosions" test, the Party Committee and the Regiment's command led and directed the detachments and specialized agencies to prepare the training grounds and practice areas, ensuring adequate facilities, weapons, and equipment, and fostering determination among the new recruits. In particular, the Regiment focused on refining the posture and movement skills of each soldier, with the motto "strengthen weaknesses in any area." The Regiment organized multiple practice sessions for soldiers in shooting, throwing grenades, and handling combined explosives, simulating the test conditions. After each training session, the unit held a debriefing session, and soldiers who did not achieve satisfactory results received additional training. Therefore, after the training period, the new recruits had a firm grasp of the theory, were proficient in the movements, performed the operations correctly, and achieved good test results.

Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Van Thanh, Deputy Regiment Commander and Chief of Staff of Regiment 764, said: “During hot days, the unit adjusts training times to avoid periods of intense heat. Morning training starts earlier and ends earlier, while afternoon training is later and ends later. In addition, the unit focuses on providing cooling drinks such as tea, herbal tea, and lemon-salt drinks to help soldiers cool down and maintain their health during training. In particular, the medical team closely monitors training sessions to promptly handle situations involving heatstroke, sunstroke, or heat exhaustion. Therefore, despite the harsh weather, the unit still ensures the duration and intensity of training.”

During the summer, Nghe An experiences frequent periods of intense heat, affecting training and work. Lieutenant Hoang Van Toan, Platoon Leader of Platoon 5, Company 2, Battalion 41, Regiment 764, recounted: "During training, we have to give the soldiers many breaks to replenish fluids and ensure their health." In addition, during shooting practice sessions, the Women's Association of the Nghe An Provincial Military Command and its affiliated units regularly organize "Water Supply on the Training Ground" activities, creating a cheerful atmosphere and boosting the morale of officers and soldiers.

Thanks to a combination of solutions to improve training quality and the spirit of "overcoming the heat and sun," the "three explosions" test of Regiment 764 achieved good results, with shooting achieving a good rating, grenade throwing and explosive handling achieving excellent ratings, ensuring absolute safety for personnel and weapons and equipment.

HOANG HOA LE