Kiến thức quân sự cơ bản

Fundamentals of Basic Military Knowledge

Understanding the core concepts of military science is essential for every soldier, cadet, and enthusiast. This course consolidates the most common questions asked in basic military quizzes and expands them into a comprehensive, SEO‑friendly lesson. By the end of the module you will be able to read topographic maps, apply proper support tactics, know flag‑raising regulations, and perform essential guard duties.

1. Reading Topographic Maps: Key Symbols and Contour Lines

Topographic maps are the primary tool for terrain analysis. They use a standardized set of symbols and colors to convey information quickly. Below are the most relevant symbols for the quiz.

• "Yên ngựa" (Saddle Point): Represented by the smallest inner contour line. This tiny closed curve marks the deepest depression between two peaks, indicating a saddle that can be used for movement or concealment.
• Green (Lush) Areas: The color green on a map always denotes vegetation. Whether it is forest, shrubland, or agricultural fields, green signals the presence of plant life, which influences visibility and movement.
• Concave Slopes (Sườn Lõm): Shown by contour lines that are spaced widely at the foot of a slope and become tightly packed near the crest on one side of the hill. This pattern illustrates a "hollow ridge" where the terrain dips inward, offering natural cover.

Remember the mnemonic: "Small inner loop = saddle, green = trees, wide‑to‑tight = hollow ridge". These visual cues help you plan routes, select defensive positions, and anticipate enemy movement.

2. Support Tactics When the Enemy Attacks an Ally

In modern combined‑arms operations, a unit rarely fights alone. When the adversary targets a teammate, the correct response is to provide both fire support and coordinated assistance. This dual‑action approach is often phrased as "chi viện + hỗ trợ hiệp đồng" in Vietnamese military doctrine.

• Chi viện (Fire Support): Deliver suppressive or lethal fire to disrupt the enemy’s attack, buying time for the allied unit to regroup.
• Hỗ trợ hiệp đồng (Coordinated Assistance): Move to a supporting position, share intelligence, and, if possible, reinforce the threatened unit with manpower or equipment.

By internalising the phrase "chi viện + hỗ trợ", soldiers develop an instinctive habit of acting proactively rather than reactively.

3. Flag‑Raising Regulations: When to Hoist the National Flag

Official protocol dictates that the national flag must be hoisted at 06:00 hours each morning. The regulation focuses on the start of the day; there is no mandatory time for lowering the flag, which can be done at sunset or according to local orders. This simple rule ensures uniformity across all military installations.

Mnemonic tip: "Six in the morning, flag flies".

4. Grenade Throw Width in the 3‑Discipline Military Competition

During the combined‑arms competition that includes shooting, obstacle crossing, and grenade throwing, the prescribed lateral spread for a grenade is 9 meters. This distance reflects the standard national safety zone and ensures fair scoring.

Visualise the number nine as "nine beads" scattered on the ground – a quick way to recall the required width.

5. Immediate Action When Under Aerial or Artillery Attack

When the enemy employs aircraft, missiles, or artillery against a defensive position, the first priority is to use existing structures for cover. Soldiers should immediately seek shelter behind buildings, bunkers, or any solid construction to minimise exposure to shrapnel and blast effects.

• Do not attempt to engage the aircraft directly unless you are equipped with anti‑air weapons.
• Report the attack after you are safely concealed, then request fire support if needed.

Remember the phrase: "When bombed, hide first".

6. Guard Duty: The Second Core Responsibility

Guard duties are divided into several sequential tasks. The second task is to ensure safety, detect and deter enemy intrusion, screen strangers, and prevent the leakage of classified information. This comprehensive duty combines vigilance with proactive security measures.

Use the memory aid: "Safety + Enemy + Stranger + Secret" to recall the four pillars of the second guard responsibility.

7. Integrating All Concepts: Practical Scenario

Imagine you are posted at a forward operating base (FOB) located on a ridge with a visible "yên ngựa" and a "sườn lõm" on the western flank. At 06:00 hours you raise the national flag. Later, an enemy squad attacks a neighboring unit while artillery shells rain down on your position.

1. Map Analysis: Identify the saddle (small inner contour) as a potential movement corridor and the hollow ridge (wide‑to‑tight contours) as a natural shelter.
2. Support Action: Provide fire support (chi viện) to the attacked unit and move to a supporting position (hỗ trợ hiệp đồng) while maintaining situational awareness.
3. Immediate Protection: Seek cover behind the nearest building or bunker to avoid artillery casualties before reporting the incident.
4. Guard Duty: Ensure the perimeter remains secure, screen any approaching personnel, and verify that no classified material is exposed.
5. Grenade Throw: If the competition phase requires a grenade throw, remember the 9 m spread to achieve a valid score.

This integrated approach demonstrates how each individual concept contributes to overall mission success.

8. Quick Reference Checklist

• Map Symbols: Saddle = smallest inner contour; Green = vegetation; Hollow ridge = wide‑to‑tight contours.
• Support Tactics: "Chi viện + hỗ trợ" – fire and assist.
• Flag Time: Hoist at 06:00 hrs.
• Grenade Width: 9 m spread.
• Under Fire: Take cover first, then report.
• Guard Duty 2nd Task: Safety, enemy detection, stranger screening, secret protection.

By reviewing this checklist regularly, you reinforce the knowledge needed for both examinations and real‑world operations.