BAGO DIVISION – The first batch of basic military training by Tharyarwaddy District Battalion 3803 included trench digging as part of the training and even held a competition for it.
The Battalion Commander of Tharyarwaddy District Battalion 3 commented that they included it in the training as digging trenches is a basic skill for the comrades that should be adopted as a habit to safeguard their own lives.
The commander continued that, as it is an important safety measure against air strikes and attacks from the enemy, they trained the trainees not just in theory but also practically.
In addition, the trainees were said to have been trained to prepare trenches, communication channels, or bunkers depending on the situation of the battle and the frontline, as well as the type of soil.
The trench digging competition during the training permits the use of a sharpened bamboo only, with the participants competing to dig the deepest trench of the defined width and length within the time limit of one hour, and it is said that the first place was awarded 20,000 kyats, the second place 15,000 kyats, and the third place was 10,000 kyats, respectively.
