Circular No. 18/2025/TT-BQP stipulates the awarding of military ranks to graduates of commissioned officer training while on active duty; the promotion of commissioned officers of the rank of Major and Captain beyond the regular progression and ahead of schedule, as well as the advancement of commissioned officers' pay ahead of schedule.

CIRCULAR

Regulations on awarding military ranks to graduates of commissioned officer training programs

serving in active duty; promotionamendof commissioned officers to majors and captains beyond grades,

beforenot term and increasing pay for commissioned officers before not THE

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Camendterm based on the Officer Law of the Vietnam People's Army dated December 21, 1999; the Law amending and supplementing one article of the Officer Law of the Vietnam People's Army dated June 3, 2008; the Law amending one article of the Officer Law of the Vietnam People's Army dated November 27, 2014; the Law amending some articles of the Officer Law of the Vietnam People's Army dated November 28, 2024; and supplement one, Law No. 42/2024/QH15 Article of the Law on Military Service; number the Law on the People's Army of Vietnam dated June 3, 2008; LawNo. 11 of 2014; Law amending the Law on the People's Army of Vietnam dated November 28, 2024; The Minister of National Defense promulgates this Circular on classification of technical specialties; quality assessment and recognition of medical examination and treatment facilities; registration and transfer of patients among medical examination and treatment facilities under the Ministry of National Defense. This Circular stipulates on classification, guidance, and support for technical specialties; technical catalogues; quality assessment of medical examination and treatment facilities; registration for health insurance medical examination and treatment and patient transfer among medical examination and treatment facilities under the Ministry of National Defense.onLaw amending one article of the Officer Law of the Vietnam People's Army dated November 27, 2014;June 2024;the functions of the Ministry of National Defense; Decree Pursuant to Decree No. 01/2022/NĐ-CP dated November 30, 2022 of the Government on the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of National Defense; and Decree No. 03/2025/NĐ-CP dated February 28, 2025 amending and supplementing certain provisions of Decree No. 01/2022/NĐ-CP; Law amending some articles of the Officer Law of the Vietnam People's Army dated November 28, 2024;No. 11 of 2014; Law amending No. 03/2025/NĐ-CP dated February 28, 2025 of the Government amending and supplementing certain

Pursuant to Decree No. 01/2022/NĐ-CP dated November 30, 2022 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of National Defense; Decree No. 03/2025/NĐ-CP dated February 28, 2025 of the Government amending and supplementing some provisions of Decree No./2022/NĐ-CP dated November 30, 2022 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of National Defense; organization provisions of the Decree; number No./2022/NĐ-CP dated November 30, 2022 of the Government stipulating 1. NATIONAL UNIVERSITIES ARE PUBLIC HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS MANAGED BY THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING, HAVE LEGAL PERSONALITY, SEPARATE ACCOUNTS, AND USE STAMPS WITH THE NATIONAL EMBLEM. the functions, tasks, regulations, number 01limitations and organizational structure LIMITATION of the Ministry of National Defense;onGeneral Department of Political Affairs; organization the Ministry of National Defense promulgates Circulars stipulating insignia for military cadets undergoing

the Director at the proposal of the Director of the Ministry's Office; Resolution of the General Political Department;iin-service training to become officers; criteria and, amended and supplemented by Decree No. 109/2025/NĐ-CP and Decree No. 193/2025/NĐ-CPstandards

The Minister of National Defense issues this Circular regulating the awarding of military ranks to graduates of commissioned officer training programs serving in active duty; criteria and standards for promoting commissioned officers to majors and captains beyond grades and before term; increasing pay for commissioned officers to major generals, lieutenant generals, majors, and captains before term.No.for promotion of officerNo.RANKS UPON COMPLETION OF IN-SERVICE OFFICER TRAINING chuẩn thăng quânâhàm sĩ quan majors, captains beyond grades and before term; increasing pay for commissioned officers to major generals, lieutenant generals, majors, and captains before term.

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation

This Circular regulates the awarding of military ranks to graduates of commissioned officer training programs serving in active duty at Clause 1 Article 16 of the Officer Law of the Vietnam People's Army No. 16/1999/QH10, amended and supplemented according to Clause 5 Article 1 of Law No. 19/2008/QH12; criteria and standards for promoting commissioned officers to majors and captains beyond grades and before term; increasing pay for commissioned officers to major generals, lieutenant generals, majors, and captains before term at Clause 4 Article 17 and Clause 3 Article 18 of the Officer Law of the Vietnam People's Army No. 16/1999/QH10, amended and supplemented according to Clause 4, Clause 5 Article 1 of Law amending and supplementing some articles of the Officer Law of the Vietnam People's Army No. 52/2024/QH15.

Article 2. Applicability

This Circular applies to agencies, units, and individuals related when implementing the awarding of military ranks to graduates of commissioned officer training programs serving in active duty; promoting commissioned officers to majors and captains beyond grades and before term; increasing pay for commissioned officers to major generals, lieutenant generals, majors, and captains before term.

Chapter II

AWARDING MILITARY RANKS TO GRADUATES OF COMMISSIONED OFFICER TRAINING PROGRAMS SERVING IN ACTIVE DUTY

TỐT NGHIỆP ĐÀO TẠO SĨ QUAN TẠI TRƯỜNG

Article 3. Criteria for awarding the rank of Second Lieutenant, First Lieutenant, and Captain to graduates of commissioned officer training programs serving in active duty

1. Non-commissioned officers and soldiers who graduate from pilot or submarine training programs and have good performance may be awarded the rank of Second Lieutenant.

2. Non-commissioned officers and soldiers who complete university-level training with a satisfactory or better graduation ranking and have good performance may be awarded the rank of Second Lieutenant, specifically:

a) Training abroad;

b) Training as a doctor at the Military Medical Academy as a member of the Communist Party of Vietnam: The ratio of awarding the rank of Second Lieutenant shall not exceed 90%;

c) Training as a pharmacist or engineer at military schools, non-military schools as a full member of the Communist Party of Vietnam; completing a second bachelor's degree in military schools from non-commissioned officers and soldiers on active duty as a member of the Communist Party of Vietnam: The ratio of awarding the rank of Second Lieutenant shall not exceed 70%;

d) Completing a five-year program (excluding engineering training) as a full member of the Communist Party of Vietnam, receiving two or more awards of "Outstanding Soldier" during the course or achieving a formal award in national or international competitions; students belonging to ethnic minorities with very small populations and students selected according to government regulations as a full member of the Communist Party of Vietnam: The ratio of awarding the rank of Second Lieutenant shall not exceed 55%;

e) Completing a four-year program as a full member of the Communist Party of Vietnam, receiving two or more awards of "Outstanding Soldier" during the course or achieving a formal award in national or international competitions; students belonging to ethnic minorities with very small populations and students selected according to government regulations, students trained at non-military schools, and students trained at schools under the Ministry of Public Security as a full member of the Communist Party of Vietnam: The ratio of awarding the rank of Second Lieutenant shall not exceed 45%.

3. Non-commissioned officers and soldiers who graduate from university-level training may be awarded the rank of First Lieutenant or Captain, specifically:

a) Training as a doctor at the Military Medical Academy with a graduation ranking of excellent or higher, receiving an award of "All-Around Outstanding Soldier" or higher during the course; training at other universities with a graduation ranking of outstanding, receiving an award of "All-Around Outstanding Soldier" or higher during the course as a full member of the Communist Party of Vietnam may be awarded the rank of First Lieutenant.

b) Training as a pilot or submarine operator

Training domestically with a satisfactory graduation ranking and good performance, as a member of the Communist Party of Vietnam may be awarded the rank of First Lieutenant; with an excellent graduation ranking and good performance, as a member of the Communist Party of Vietnam may be awarded the rank of Captain.

Training abroad with a satisfactory or better graduation ranking and good performance may be awarded the rank of Captain.

4. Non-commissioned officers and soldiers who graduate from a master's or equivalent program abroad and have good performance may be awarded the rank of First Lieutenant.

Article 4. Criteria for awarding military rank to professional soldiers, workers, and defense officials with a bachelor's degree education

1. Graduates who are awarded the rank of Second Lieutenant or higher corresponding to their current salary level.

2. Graduates ranked excellent or higher at graduation are eligible for an early salary increase of one year to be considered for the awarding of officer rank.

3. Methods of salary adjustment and awarding of officer rank

a) Professional soldiers, workers, and defense officials who have reached the time limit for salary increase shall be considered for a salary increase according to regulations.

b) Salary adjustment to senior professional soldier status according to the regulations of the Ministry of National Defense to serve as the basis for considering the awarding of officer rank, ensuring that the difference does not exceed one adjacent pay grade.

c) In cases where the officer rank to be awarded is lower than the current professional soldier rank, the awarding of officer rank will not be considered, instead, the issuance of staff number and salary adjustment to senior professional soldier status according to the training level will be implemented, retaining the time limit for salary increase to consider the awarding of officer rank in subsequent years (for individuals with such wishes).

Chapter III

PROMOTION OF MILITARY RANKS BY SKIPPING GRADES,

PROMOTION OF MILITARY RANKS AND EARLY SALARY INCREASE

Article 5. Criteria and standards for considering promotion of military ranks by skipping grades

1. Officers whose current military rank is two or more grades lower than the highest military rank of the position or title they are currently holding, and who have achieved outstanding special achievements may be considered for promotion by skipping grades when awarded one of the following commendation forms (excluding commendation forms based on service years or contributions):

a) Orders of Merit: Order of Ho Chi Minh Star; Order of Ho Chi Minh, Order of Independence First Class; Order of Military Merit First Class; Order of Labor First Class; Order of National Defense First Class; Order of Military Merit First Class.

b) State Honorary Titles: Hero of the People's Armed Forces; Hero of Labor.

c) Ho Chi Minh Award.

2. Within the term of holding a position, officers can only be considered for promotion by skipping grades once, skipping one military rank grade; the consideration period is after the officer has received a commendation decision.

3. In special cases not provided for in Clause 1 and Clause 2 of this Article, the competent authority shall consider and decide.

Article 6. Criteria and standards for considering promotion of military ranks before the scheduled time

1. Officers are eligible for consideration for promotion of military ranks before the scheduled time when:

a) They meet the criteria and standards for promotion by skipping grades, but their current military rank is one grade lower than the highest military rank ceiling of the position or title they are currently holding (awarded one of the commendation forms specified in Clause 1 of this Article); they are eligible for consideration for promotion before the scheduled time after receiving a commendation decision.

b) Their current military rank is one grade or more lower than the highest military rank ceiling of the position or title they are currently holding, and they have been awarded one of the following commendation forms, which are eligible for consideration for promotion before the scheduled time not exceeding 24 months: Order of Independence Second Class, Third Class; Order of Military Merit Second Class, Third Class; Order of Labor Second Class, Third Class; Order of National Defense Second Class, Third Class; Order of Military Merit Second Class, Third Class (excluding commendation forms based on service years or contributions); Order of Bravery.

c) Their current military rank is lower than the highest military rank ceiling of the position or title they are currently holding, and during the service years within the current military rank, they have completed tasks well or better, and belong to one of the following cases eligible for consideration for promotion before the scheduled time not exceeding 12 months:

Being recognized as Professor, Associate Professor; Doctor working in the correct specialty (only eligible for promotion before the scheduled time once).

 Being awarded one of the following commendation achievements: National Model Worker; Army Model Worker; first prize, second prize, third prize or gold medal, silver medal, bronze medal in national competitions; first prize in central ministry-level competitions; Medal or first prize, second prize, third prize in International Military Games; officers participating in United Nations peacekeeping operations being commended by the competent authority with commendation forms from certificate of merit and above; head of research topics, initiatives winning first, second, third prizes in the "Creative Youth in the Military" Award; Head of projects winning first, second, third prizes in the "Creative Labor" Award in the Vietnam People's Army Trade Union; Women's Military Award; exemplary model throughout the army in implementing the movement "Leveraging Traditions, Contributing Talents, Worthy of Uncle Ho's Soldiers"; Outstanding Young Faces Nationwide; Outstanding Young Faces Throughout the Army.

2. In addition to the cases already stipulated in Clause 1 of this Article, officers holding command and management positions are eligible for consideration for promotion before the scheduled time not exceeding 12 months if they belong to one of the following cases:

a) Officers holding command positions in units responsible for combat readiness training; campaign intelligence units; strategic intelligence agencies; weapons and ammunition depots, vehicle and special equipment depots, strategic fuel reserves for combat readiness and national defense reserves; repair and maintenance units for combat weapons and equipment; heads and deputy heads of departments on ships, officers directly involved in researching and developing strategic technologies, core technologies, and research, design, production, repair, modification, improvement, and modernization of weapons and technical equipment with strategic significance, during the service years within the current military rank, completing tasks well or better, and:

The current military rank is two or more grades lower than the highest military rank ceiling of the position they are currently holding. During the term of holding a position, if they have already been promoted before the scheduled time, then in the next service year, they must receive the title of Model Worker at the grassroots level.

The current rank is lower than the highest possible rank for the position being held by 01 (one) grade, and during the service period, there is at least 01 (one) year receiving the title of outstanding soldier at the grassroots level.

b) Officers holding command positions in agencies within units specified in point a, clause 2 of this Article, during the years of serving at the current rank, complete their tasks satisfactorily or better, and if: the current rank is lower than the highest possible rank for the position being held by 03 (three) grades or more; lower by 02 (two) grades, with at least 01 (one) year during the service period receiving the title of outstanding soldier at the grassroots level; lower by 01 (one) grade, with at least 02 (two) years during the service period receiving the title of outstanding soldier at the grassroots level (for promotion from Second Lieutenant to First Lieutenant, there must be 01 (one) year receiving the title of outstanding soldier at the grassroots level).

c) Officers holding command positions in agencies and units not included in the units specified in points a and b, clause 2 of this Article, during the years of serving at the current rank, complete their tasks satisfactorily or better, and if: the current rank is lower than the highest possible rank for the position being held by 04 (four) grades or more; lower by 03 (three) grades, with at least 01 (one) year during the service period receiving the title of outstanding soldier at the grassroots level; lower by 02 (two) grades, with at least 02 (two) years during the service period receiving the title of outstanding soldier at the grassroots level; lower by 01 (one) grade: For promotion to Major, there must be 03 (three) years receiving the title of outstanding soldier at the grassroots level; for promotion to Lieutenant Colonel and Senior Lieutenant, there must be 02 (two) years receiving the title of outstanding soldier at the grassroots level; for promotion from Second Lieutenant to First Lieutenant, there must be 01 (one) year receiving the title of outstanding soldier at the grassroots level.

3. In addition to the cases stipulated in clause 1 of this Article, officers who do not hold command or management positions, during the years of serving at the current rank, complete their tasks satisfactorily or better, and if they meet one of the following conditions, may be considered for promotion ahead of schedule, but not more than 12 months: the current rank is lower than the highest possible rank for the position being held by 04 grades or more; lower by 03 (three) grades, with at least 01 (one) year during the service period receiving the title of outstanding soldier at the grassroots level; lower by 02 (two) grades, with at least 02 (two) years during the service period receiving the title of outstanding soldier at the grassroots level; lower by 01 (one) grade: For promotion to Major, there must be 03 (three) years receiving the title of outstanding soldier at the grassroots level; for promotion to Lieutenant Colonel and Senior Lieutenant, there must be 02 (two) years receiving the title of outstanding soldier at the grassroots level; for promotion from Second Lieutenant to First Lieutenant, there must be 01 (one) year receiving the title of outstanding soldier at the grassroots level.

4. In cases where an officer achieves multiple achievements during the service period, only one achievement can be applied for early promotion (the remaining achievements cannot be carried forward); if not applied, it can be carried forward for consideration of early promotion for the next rank.

5. Special cases not provided for in clause 1, clause 2, and clause 3 of this Article shall be decided upon by the competent authority.

Article 7. Criteria and standards for considering early salary increase

1. Officers who have reached the highest possible rank for the position or post they are currently holding may be considered for an early salary increase if they meet one of the following conditions:

a) General officers:

Receiving one of the forms of commendation specified in clause 1 of Article 5 of this Circular, may be considered for an early salary increase after receiving the commendation decision. Receiving one of the forms of commendation specified in point b, clause 1 of Article 6 of this Circular, may be considered for an early salary increase not exceeding 24 months.

b) Field-grade and company-grade officers:

Receiving one of the forms of commendation specified in clause 1 of Article 5 of this Circular, may be considered for an early salary increase after receiving the commendation decision.

Receiving one of the forms of commendation specified in point b, clause 1 of Article 6 of this Circular, may be considered for an early salary increase not exceeding 24 months.

Meeting the criteria and standards for considering early promotion specified in point c, clause 1 and clauses 2 and 3 of Article 6 of this Circular, may be considered for an early salary increase not exceeding 12 months.

2. In cases where an officer achieves multiple achievements during the service period, only one achievement can be applied for early salary increase (the remaining achievements cannot be carried forward); if not applied, one of the achieved achievements can be carried forward for consideration of early salary increase for the next salary increase.

3. Special cases not provided for in clause 1 of this Article shall be decided upon by the competent authority.

Chapter IV

IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

Article 8. Effective Date

This Circular takes effect from March 22, 2025.

Article 9. Responsibility for implementation

The Chief of the Political Bureau, the Chief of the General Staff, and the heads of related agencies and units are responsible for implementing this Circular./.