From the 7th Steel Company to the Synthetic Division

Hong Yi's thinking was very simple. He didn't realize that Chu Zhangang was bluffing and thought that he had actually watched it, so he immediately perked up.

"Low-altitude parachuting is an effective means for special forces to deploy behind enemy lines and quickly engage the enemy. The shorter the time soldiers spend in the air, the better their concealment and the stronger their attack capability."

Although we are a reconnaissance battalion, to keep up with the pace of modernization, reconnaissance will definitely need to be transformed into special operations. By preparing in advance, we can be ahead of other units when that day truly arrives.

Hong Yi has strong military command capabilities and remarkable foresight. His analysis is very reasonable, and even Chu Zhangang has to admit it.

"Your idea is good. Also, I shouldn't object to your suggestion that special forces soldiers master deep-sea diving techniques below ten meters, because all of these things are for the purpose of improving the combat effectiveness of the troops."

Chu Zhangang's agreement with Hong Yi's statement did not mean he would agree to implement it, so he changed the subject and said, "But have you considered another issue?"

Hong Yi, who had been full of anticipation, shook his head speechlessly upon hearing these familiar words, which he had heard so many times he was tired of them. He said helplessly, "You mean to say that it's very dangerous, right?"

"Yes, it's just too dangerous." Chu Zhangang nodded in agreement, thinking he was absolutely right.

“But we already have many safeguards in place, and a set of gradual training methods. We shouldn’t stop training on the grounds of danger,” Hong Yi argued.

"I believe that. If you weren't sure, you wouldn't have submitted this report to the brigade. But we can't force it. We can't force the whole brigade to do it."

Chu Zhangang still rejected Hong Yi's idea, but said in a consultative tone: "I think we can select a few top talents to form a small team to participate in various performance competitions in the future, especially when leaders come to visit, they can show off a few of their special skills. I certainly don't object to that."

"Hey~"

Hong Yi was so angry he was speechless. He closed his eyes and didn't want to look at Chu Zhangang anymore.

Hong Yi applied for the entire brigade to conduct various special operations training programs, with the aim of training reconnaissance soldiers into special forces soldiers in advance, in preparation for the future transformation into a special operations brigade.

However, Chu Zhangang's idea was completely the opposite; he actually used his hard work as a tool for showmanship.

This is something Hong Yi absolutely cannot accept.

It was an act he utterly despised.

Chu Zhangang was completely unaware that what he considered the most valuable showmanship was worthless in the eyes of Hong Yi, a true pragmatist.

He was still talking glibly, saying, "The more people involved, the higher the probability of something going wrong. What if something goes wrong?"

"Didn't I just say? We have a scientific training method," Hong Yi shouted impatiently.

"Science isn't omnipotent. Even the most scientific approach has its limitations. You're overestimating everything," Chu Zhangang retorted.

"I simply can't communicate with you."

Enraged, Hong Yi stood up abruptly and stormed to the side, trying to calm himself down and not wanting to argue with Chu Zhangang anymore.

Chu Zhangang still insisted on his own ideas and was still trying to persuade Hong Yi.

So he walked over and patted Hong Yi on the shoulder, patiently explaining and persuading him: "The soldiers nowadays are different from those before. Most of them are only children from families that implemented the one-child policy, and their families value them very much."

What if someone falls during training? How can we explain this to their parents?
I advise you not to try to make sure everyone meets the requirements for low-altitude skydiving. Your basic plan and idea are good, but they are not suitable for now. Let's talk about it later.

Even if we wait until the order to change reconnaissance to special operations comes through, there will still be enough time to practice what you're talking about."

Chu Zhangang's reasoning is indeed very strong. From a conventional perspective of humanistic care, it is indeed unnecessary for the reconnaissance brigade to train special operations skills.

The risk was far too high, and the training was beyond the curriculum.

However, given the critical juncture of military reform, the inherent nature of the military as a means of defending the country, and the principle that the military must prioritize combat effectiveness, this is a crucial consideration.

Chu Zhangang's words were completely unconvincing, at least not to Hong Yi.

So Hong Yi didn't even hesitate for a second before angrily retorting, "What's the use of just training a few top performers? What I need is a team that can form a fighting force, not a performance team just for the leaders to watch."

"Didn't the reconnaissance brigade still have combat capability even without low-altitude parachuting?" Chu Zhangang continued to refute.

“Low-altitude parachuting is a mandatory skill for special forces soldiers abroad. Isn’t our current reform precisely about learning from the outside world? Why must we stick to the old ways?” Hong Yi said, giving an example.

"Do they have family planning policies abroad?" Chu Zhangang asked.

"What are you talking about? What does skydiving have to do with family planning?" Hong Yi felt like he was going crazy; it was like talking to a brick wall.

“Hong Yi, you’re right to listen to me. Our country’s situation is different from that of other countries.” Chu Zhangang still insisted on his opinion.

"Does that mean our training standards have to be lower than those of foreign countries? Let's not even talk about foreign countries. The special operations company of the 7th Steel Brigade is a domestic company, so why can they train, but we can't?" Hong Yi countered with examples.

"Why are you always arguing with me? Huh? I have to criticize whatever you want to do? Who's the brigade commander here, you or me?"

Hong Yi was fine talking about other things, but when he brought up the Seventh Steel Brigade, it was like touching a nerve with Chu Zhangang, making Chu Zhangang anxious and pale.

“That’s not something I personally wanted to do, nor is it something I asked you to approve. It’s something that’s necessary for winning future wars. It’s something that future wars need you to fight for,” Hong Yi argued logically.

"No matter how big you try to convince me, it won't work." Chu Zhangang was truly unconvinced, so he resorted to force.

"You're arbitrary, dictatorial, and unambitious." Hong Yi was also pushed to his limit and used sharp words directly.

"Hong Yi!!!"

Chu Zhangang roared in anger, his eyes bloodshot as he stared intently at Hong Yi.

This man-eating expression, coupled with the intimidating presence of his direct superior, the brigade commander, sent a shiver down Hong Yi's spine, who was already red-eyed from the argument.

He immediately calmed down a bit.

Although Hong Yi verbally backed down and stopped retaliating against Chu Zhangang, his heart remained steadfast, his eyes filled with unyielding stubbornness.

“Hong Yi, I have no personal grudge against you. It’s no use for you to try to intimidate me with these grand principles. I’ve learned more and seen more than you. How can getting through this year safely and peacefully do you any harm? It won’t affect the combat effectiveness of the special operations brigade either. Why do you insist on going against me?”

Chu Zhangang's words were truly insightful, revealing his true thoughts to Hong Yi.

As a former division-level commander, Chu Zhangang had just been demoted from a division-level officer to the commander of a deputy division-level unit, and he had always felt uneasy about it.

Chu Zhangang's goal was to become a division-level officer in the army group headquarters.

As long as he can get through the next year safely, Chu Zhangang believes that with his accumulated connections and abilities, he will definitely be able to enter the army group headquarters.

Only by entering the headquarters of the army group could one find an opportunity to break through to the rank of senior colonel.

otherwise.

Once his term as a senior colonel expired, he had no choice but to transfer to civilian life. As a veteran who had served in the military for one or two decades, he had long regarded the military as his home, and the local society had become a foreign place to him.

Even if there's only a one percent chance of staying in the military, nobody wants to transfer to civilian life.

After hearing what Chu Zhangang said, Hong Yi, unusually, did not continue to refute him, but remained silent, standing there looking elsewhere.

"I've said all the nice things and all the ugly things. You decide what to do."

Chu Zhangang was unable to persuade Hong Yi, which meant his goal of easing tensions between the two had failed. He could only leave angrily with a single sentence.

"Hey~~"

Hong Yi watched Chu Zhangang walk away, scratching his head vigorously with both hands, his eyes becoming complicated.

……

Training ground of the 7th Steel Brigade.

Chief of Staff Shen observed the various units of the 7th Steel Brigade. After training on the training outline formulated by Chen Jun, he led everyone back to the rest area and sat down.

Chen Jun, Gao Cheng, Wang Qingrui, Tian Baoguo, and other military officers from the 7th Steel Brigade accompanied him.

"You are probably already well aware of the current situation."

Chief of Staff Shen sat in the main seat and said seriously, "SLY and the political commissar have already affirmed the actions of your Steel Seventh Brigade. You cadres should keep this in mind. Don't think that just because you have the support of the leaders, you can go around spreading it."

Why did I say that? Because the commander's intention is for you to do more work, less boasting, and to diligently train the troops well.

"How could that be, sir? We haven't even built a military history museum yet, and we haven't even recorded our battle achievements. How could we go out and publicize them?" Wang Qingrui said with a forced smile.

"It would be best not to make a fuss, but you have won a battle and raided the war zone headquarters, which has made the 7th Steel Brigade famous. People have felt your domineering and arrogant attitude, which is very detrimental to the development of your 7th Steel Brigade," Chief of Staff Shen said.

“Every move we make will be closely watched, and people will scrutinize it with a magnifying glass. This is something we should definitely pay attention to,” Tian Baoguo nodded seriously.

"this time……"

Chief of Staff Shen continued, "The theater army convened an enlarged meeting of the Party Committee to reach a consensus on the topic of building a professionalized hypothetical enemy."

It also demanded that all departments and units of the theater army look for the reasons within themselves, and not be resentful or act like bullies among themselves.

We need to identify gaps by referring to foreign militaries and find problems by comparing them with examples. A significant effort is required to change our mindset. However, your 7th Steel Brigade is not without its own problems.

"Do we have a problem ourselves?" Ma Tianxiang was taken aback, so he blurted out.

Don't blame Ma Tianxiang for saying that; he had followed Chen Jun since the days of the Seventh Steel Battalion, fighting countless battles across the country.

I'm so swoon-worthy that I don't even know how to write the word "lose."

Such an invincible army, if someone were to say that there is something wrong with it, the people in this army would naturally instinctively refute it.

Especially those who have a deep affection for the Seventh Steel Brigade and have spent many years with them.

In fact, among the officers present, Ma Tianxiang was not the only one with this idea; it also included Gao Cheng and other cadres who had come from the headquarters of the Seventh Steel Battalion.

It's just that Ma Tianxiang spoke too quickly and said what everyone wanted to say first.

Ma Tianxiang's quick tongue made him a prime example of this.

"Look, this is the problem."

Chief of Staff Shen pointed with his index finger and criticized, "To ask such a question shows that you either didn't think it through, or you think you have no problem at all. You're showing signs of blind arrogance, which is why you said such irresponsible things."

The commander hopes that the leadership of the 7th Steel Brigade will learn to face reality and be realistic. Many things should not be rushed; they should learn to stop when necessary.

Chief of Staff Shen said this mainly because he was worried that the 7th Steel Brigade would become arrogant and complacent.

It is not a good thing for an army to be overly proud.

The proverb "Arrogance leads to defeat" is a classic example!
"Stop it here?"

Chen Jun frowned upon hearing this and retorted, "Children only learn to walk by falling down, and an army only grows by being hurt."

Good medicine is bitter, and serious illnesses require strong medicine to treat them.

If you only touch on the surface, it's like scratching an itch; it's completely meaningless.

I have serious suspicions that the commander-in-chief is considering abandoning the specialized adversary system and reverting to the old model of simply going through the motions as red and blue teams.

Chen Jun is also quite straightforward; he speaks his mind on the spot.

"That's not what the commander meant."

Chief of Staff Shen was amused and quickly explained, "It's just that the commander believes that the transformation of concepts and models cannot be accomplished overnight; it requires a transformation process. You need to give everyone some time."

"So, does that mean we're too ahead of our time?" Gao Cheng chuckled.

"Foreign militaries have already taken the lead and completed their informatization process, and they are still developing it. If we keep dawdling, we won't even get a whiff of it, let alone get any harvest," Chen Jun criticized.

“Yes, we definitely can’t wait. There’s no time to give them a buffer,” Wang Qingrui agreed.

"Why does the theater army need to establish a professional adversary force? The reason is very simple: to make training more realistic."

Chief of Staff Shen's expression also turned serious: "This has already been demonstrated in the previous confrontation exercises, and it has played a positive role in exposing problems and guiding training reform."

But it also has another function: the appearance of a hypothetical enemy will bring a sense of crisis to the troops and make them realize that war can happen anytime and anywhere.

We must be prepared to fight today, and to win today.

The previous training model where units acted as red and blue teams was not wrong. Base-based training and back-to-back exercises without pre-planned scenarios have achieved excellent results and are not outdated.

We simply need a more advanced exercise model that is more in line with the information age.

The formation and exploration of a specialized adversary force is equivalent to supplementing and enhancing the original training exercises, and it represents a diversification of training methods.

To make the exercises more realistic, closer to actual combat, and more creative.

The emergence of specialized adversaries should complement and enhance traditional exercise models, rather than completely replace them. (End of Chapter)