Ensuring readiness in selecting and calling citizens for military service

The year 2026 marks the first year in which the recruitment and call-up of citizens for military service will be implemented under the new two-tier local government model.

Long Binh Ward Military Command reviews all records during the process of verifying citizens eligible for conscription in 2026. Photo: Nguyet Ha

The Military Service Councils of communes and wards under the Command of Defense Region 1 in Long Thanh, Dong Nai Province, are making every effort to prepare on all fronts. At the same time, they are coordinating closely with the Command of Defense Region 1 to conduct strict inspections and verification of recruitment standards, selecting outstanding citizens, and ensuring thorough preparations to secure quality recruitment and complete 100% of the conscription targets for 2026.

Proactive grasp of the situation

The Command of Defense Region 1 in Long Thanh covers 25 communes and wards newly formed through the merger of communes and wards from the former Bien Hoa City, Long Thanh District, Nhon Trach District, and parts of the old Vinh Cuu and Trang Bom districts. According to statistics, approximately 64,000 young men within the area are of military service ages, with more than 43,000 (including 42 Party members) expected to meet requirements of preliminary recruitment for medical examination for military service.

Major Le Van Ngoc, Military Affairs Assistant of the Command of Defense Region 1 in Long Thanh, stated: "In addition to favourable conditions, communes and wards within the Command of Defense Region 1 in Long Thanh face certain challenges after the administrative merger. Commune-level areas are now larger, yet commune-level military commands are staffed with only one commander, one deputy commander, and one assistant, and the workload has increased significantly. Many tasks previously managed by district-level commands have been shifted to communes and wards, causing initial confusion during implementation.”

He further noted a new point in this year’s recruitment, as stipulated in Circular No. 68/2025/TT-BQP dated July 3, 2025 by the Ministry of National Defence: commune-level authorities will now directly coordinate with the Command of Defense Region and receiving units in the handover of recruits, finalizing troop numbers and deciding on the conscription of citizens. However, commune-level military command staff remain few in number, insufficient, lack experience in working with the receiving units.

Sharing about these challenges, Colonel Ong Van An, the Commander of Defense Region 1 in Long Thanh affirmed: In order to effectively carry out the recruitment and to provide the best possible support to communes and wards, the Party Committee and the Command of Defense Region 1 in Long Thanh have selected and deployed experienced officers to directly assist the communes and wards in fulfilling the conscription tasks under the motto “each recruit must be eligible,” minimizing the need for replacements after the handover of troops. The unit commanders have been assigned to attend provincial Military Service Council meetings to approve the results of the Provincial Military Service Council’s review of selection and conscription standards. At the same time, experienced personnel have been dispatched to support communes and wards in related stages, particularly regarding new points in the recruitment process. The aim is to ensure that all localities under the Command of Defense Region 1 in Long Thanh are thoroughly and fully prepared, getting ready to achieve effective, high-quality recruitment and to fulfill 100% of the assigned quotas.

Commune-level active engagement

With the guiding principle of "each recruit must be eligible," Military Service Councils at the commune and ward level within the area of Defense Region 1 in Long Thanh are actively engaged in selecting outstanding citizens. The goal is to ensure that 100% of the assigned recruitment quotas are met with high quality and without errors in the screening process. At the same time, they are intensifying communication campaigns to raise awareness among young men about their civic responsibilities and duties, encouraging them to join the armed forces to defend the Fatherland enthusiastically.

Long Binh Ward alone has more than 5,800 male citizens of enlistment age, of whom over 3,500 are eligible for preliminary recruitment and medical examinations for military service.

Vu Manh Tu, Long Binh Ward Military Commander, affirmed that the ward would uphold its tradition of fulfilling recruitment quotas each year with high quality, ensuring that all steps are carefully and lawfully implemented.

Although not yet selected, Nguyen Quang Tien, a Party member and standing militiaman of Long Binh Ward, expressed eagerness to be enlisted in 2026.

"For the youth, the most beautiful years are those devoted to service, contributing even a small part to the cause of defending the Fatherland," he said.

"The image of soldiers marching during the grand ceremonies on April 30 and September 2 has inspired me to train harder, striving to qualify for enlistment in 2026,” Tien confided.

Authorised by the Provincial Military Service Council, the provincial Military Command, as the standing body, has established four inspection teams to review and approve the eligibility results of citizens for 2026 enlistment. These teams are working meticulously to ensure the best source of recruits, meeting all standards required for the upcoming recruitment campaign. The Provincial Military Service Council and Military Region 7 will also organise inspection delegations to monitor the situation, promptly address obstacles, and support localities in carrying out this vital task.

Once the inspections and approvals of eligibility standards are completed across the province, the preliminary recruitment and medical examinations for military service will commence. Although challenges remain in the first year of recruitment under the two-tier local government model, with the joint efforts of the entire political system and the people, the recruitment task is expected to achieve 100% of the assigned quotas, ensuring quality in every aspect.

By: Nguyet Ha

Translated by: Quynh Nhu - Thu Ha