Currently, 300 new recruits stationed at Infantry Battalion 1, Regiment 741 under the Điện Biên Provincial Military Command are experiencing their first week of military life before officially beginning their full training.

Though mentally prepared, recruit Nguyễn Anh Cương could not help but feel overwhelmed as his daily routines were replaced by the disciplined schedules and strict structure of life at Infantry Battalion 1.

At the sound of the morning bugle, the barracks spring to life. Cương and his fellow recruits quickly assemble for morning exercises - their first lesson in discipline and unity.

Gone are the days of sleeping in. Each day begins promptly at 5:30am, following a tightly structured schedule: physical training, military drill training, mastering the art of folding blankets into perfect squares, adapting to the military’s behavior standards and collective living.

For the recruits, changing old habits is not easy. Their movements remain awkward, and their blanket folds imperfect. However, with dedicated guidance from commanding officers and mentorship from experienced soldiers, Cương and his fellow recruits patiently adjust every detail, persevering until each task becomes second nature.

At Regiment 82, Division 355 under Military Region 2, after receiving 850 recruits from Điện Biên, Lai Châu, and Sơn La Provinces, additional training sessions - such as maintaining barracks hygiene and practicing unarmed line-up regulations - are systematically introduced to help new soldiers build confidence and resilience from their first day.

Apart from discipline and daily routines, new recruits begin their journey with foundational lessons in military life. Rather than immediately focusing on weapons training or long marches, early lessons include understanding the unit’s traditions and engaging in self-sufficiency activities.

At Battalion 1, Regiment 82, which recently welcomed 425 new recruits, a banner reads: “The unit is your home, and your comrades are your brothers.” According to Lieutenant Cứ Hồng Sơn, Commander of Platoon 4, Company 1, the officers, while maintaining strict discipline, also act as mentors and friends, helping new recruits overcome feelings of hesitation and unfamiliarity.

Initial feelings of hesitation quickly fade thanks to the dedication and care of the training staff. Open conversations and genuine interest allow officers to understand new recruits’ thoughts and aspirations, fostering trust and enabling new recruits to fully focus on their training. In this environment, strangers quickly form bonds through shared goals and experiences.

Recruit Quàng Văn Định from Battalion 1, Regiment 82 shared: “Before arriving at the unit, I was nervous and unsure. But with the support and guidance from the officers - like elder brothers in a family - I have gained more confidence. I have learned not just military discipline but also how to organize everything neatly and logically, something I rarely paid attention to at home”.

Within just a few days, these young men begin to embody the spirit of soldiers - marked by sun-kissed skin, well-fitted uniforms, and eyes filled with determination and pride. After just a week, they appear stronger, more disciplined, and more confident with neatly cropped hair, sharp uniforms. They share a common determination: To train hard, fulfill their duties, and complete every mission assigned.

Following this introductory period, official military training for new recruits will begin on March 1. Over the next two years, these young soldiers will cultivate discipline, responsibility, and personal growth. With determination and youthful vigor, they will gradually adapt to military life, stay committed to their training, and successfully complete every task assigned to them.