Vietnam to Deploy Regular Army Officers to Commune-Level Military Commands

Vietnam's Ministry of National Defense is pushing for amendments to nine military-related laws, a key objective of which is to deploy regular army officers to commune-level military commands. This initiative aims to streamline and professionalize the military structure, marking a historic first for the armed forces. During a session with the National Assembly Standing Committee on July 27, Minister of National Defense Phan Văn Giang explained that the draft laws focus on reorganizing the military apparatus and addressing urgent practical issues. Following the proposed legal changes, regional military commands will be restructured under a new model, integrating regular army officers into commune-level military command units. The amendments will also revise regulations concerning the positions of commanders and political commissars within military bodies. Specifically, the ranks of commanders and political commissars for provincial-level military commands will be elevated to be on par with division commanders. Meanwhile, commanders of commune-level military commands will be placed in the same category as battalion commanders. The amended Law on Militia and Self-Defense Forces will also clarify the status of commune-level military commands as local military agencies operating under the Hanoi Capital Command, Ho Chi Minh City Command, and provincial military commands. National Assembly Chairman Trần Thanh Mẫn lauded the plan to reorganize local military structures and assign regular army officers to these positions as a significant and correct policy of the Party. He cited the military''s leading role in disaster relief efforts and the operation to identify and collect the remains of fallen soldiers as examples of their crucial contributions. Furthermore, Chairman Mẫn urged for consideration of assigning regular army officers as political commissars for commune-level military commands, aligning with the principle of a single commander and the integration of political officers. If immediate assignment of regular officers is not feasible, clear regulations are needed for the role, duties, and working relationships of the position when concurrently held by commune-level Party secretaries.