Starting from the deputy company commander of the Soldier Assault Team

"Alright, it seems there's nothing else going on. Today, the newspaper that the platoon leader brought over has some great news. Our deputy company commander has made a meritorious contribution, and the commendation article has already been published in the military newspaper."

"Here, everyone can study this. Remember, you came to the army to make contributions, not to just coast along. Become successful. Here, read this."

Wu Liuyi handed over the newspaper as he spoke.

"Yes, squad leader." Cheng Cai took the newspaper, which was the PLA Daily they had used for push-ups last time.

Strengthening the military at the grassroots level.

The newspaper's third page was filled with a prominent report, with a picture and a banner that read "Farewell Party for Veterans of the 702nd Regiment."

Cheng Cai had heard about this. The veterans were discharged and the new recruits were enlisting, which means that this happened before they enlisted, and it's only being reported now.

The practice of allowing veterans to retire first and then recruit them later creates space for the military. The barracks, beds, and equipment vacated by veterans need to be cleaned, adjusted, and handed over to new recruits. At the same time, it allows grassroots officers to complete the handover of their duties and concentrate their efforts on training new recruits.

This is to avoid overcrowding and chaotic management in the barracks, and also to prevent new recruit training from being interfered with by the retirement of veterans.

Military songs inspire the soul and encourage the journey; loyal hearts compose a glorious chapter in the war.

— Commendation Notice for Zhang Anbang, Comrade of the 702nd Steel 7th Company, T Division of C Group Army, Awarded First-Class Merit

This article was written by Li Jianjun, correspondent for this newspaper, and Wang Qiangjun, reporter for this newspaper.

According to this newspaper, the Party Committee of the C Group Army recently reviewed and approved the following commendation notice: Comrade Zhang Anbang, deputy company commander of the 7th Company, 3rd Battalion, 702nd Regiment of the T Division, was awarded a first-class merit, a first-class merit medal and certificate, and a reward of RMB 5000.

Comrade Zhang Anbang, based on the grassroots military camp cultural positions, created classic military songs such as "Sending Off Comrades-in-Arms" and "When That Day Comes," using the power of art to unite the soldiers' hearts and empower combat readiness.

They have made significant contributions to improving the ideological and political development and combat effectiveness of the armed forces, and are an advanced example of grassroots officers and soldiers fulfilling their mission of building a strong military.

……

The song, with its simple lyrics and sincere emotions, ...

It quickly became popular after it was first sung, and it resonated strongly not only in grassroots units.

It has also been incorporated into the group army's distinctive ideological and political education materials, becoming a vivid vehicle for cultivating camaraderie among officers and soldiers and solidifying their loyalty.

……

In the practice of preparing for war and training, Comrade Zhang Anbang deeply felt the high morale of the officers and soldiers who acted upon orders and marched toward war. Focusing on the core requirements of being able to fight and win battles, he created realistic training scenarios for when that day comes.

……

He called on all officers and soldiers of the division to learn from his dedication to his work and his commitment to serving the people at the grassroots level.

We should learn from his sense of responsibility in focusing on combat readiness and empowering the military, and transform the power of his example into practical actions to hone our combat skills and safeguard the peace and security of our country.

……

"Class monitor, you've finished reading."

"Alright, sit down, everyone. Let's chat. We still have a few minutes left for the class meeting, so let's all share our thoughts." Wu Liuyi smiled as he looked at the new recruits in his class.

The new recruits of the Fifth Platoon could confidently point to the sky and declare that this was the first time in the month and a half since they joined the recruit training camp that they had seen Wu Liuyi smile so brightly.

"Squad leader, is Zhang Anbang, the one mentioned in the newspaper who received the First-Class Merit Award, our deputy company commander?"

"Yes, yes, I just heard Squad Leader Cheng read out the name of Comrade Zhang Anbang, the deputy company commander of the 7th Company, 3rd Battalion, 702nd Regiment. He should be our deputy company commander, right?"

……

The new recruits were asking questions all at once, making the scene a little chaotic. Normally, Wu Liuyi would have shouted at them to pay attention to discipline, but at this moment he was just smiling as he watched the recruits ask questions.

"Alright, everyone, quiet down. As far as I know, there's only one person in the entire 702nd Regiment named Zhang Anbang. He is both the deputy company commander of our Steel Seventh Company and the deputy company commander of our recruit company."

"It really is our deputy company commander! He's amazing!"

"Yeah, I didn't expect that incompetent deputy platoon leader to be so capable."

……

"Alright, the class meeting is about to end. Let me tell you, the deputy company commander is very capable, and you are very lucky. You have already come into contact with a first-class meritorious soldier before you have even officially joined the troops."

Wu Liuyi raised his hand to check the time as he spoke, "Alright, the class meeting is over. Those who need to do extra training, do it now. Pack up and wash up. Tomorrow you will be participating in live-fire shooting for the first time. Get a good rest tonight to maintain your condition."

……

The first live-fire exercise for new recruits is highly valued, with high standards and strict procedures, comparable to a formal assessment.

The training is directly coordinated by the headquarters, with experienced shooting instructors and safety officers. Range security, ammunition management, and emergency response are all carried out according to combat standards, which is a level higher than the daily training.

For new recruits, live-fire training is a core milestone that transforms them from ordinary civilians into qualified soldiers.

It is not just a training subject, but a triple tempering of psychology, physiology and discipline. Its importance runs through the entire recruit training program and has a certain impact on the direction of one's subsequent military career.

On a psychological level, it's about moving from theoretical knowledge to facing real firepower. In the early stages of basic training, rifle aiming and aiming are all done with empty guns, without recoil or gunfire, focusing on perfecting the movements.

During live-fire shooting, the deafening sound of the Type 81-1 rifle and the recoil of the buttstock hitting the shoulder like a small hammer brought the new recruits to the forefront of the weapon's power, helping them build the basic courage of soldiers.

This made the new recruits truly understand that the Type 81-1 rifle in their hands was not a toy, but a weapon that could hit the target and a reliance for soldiers to survive on the battlefield.

This will raise new recruits' respect for firearms to a higher level, and they will be more careful in cleaning and maintaining them afterwards.

To test the results of basic training in terms of skills, solidify shooting actions into muscle memory, and verify actions such as holding the gun, aiming, and firing, the new recruits' actions may look standard.

The recoil of live ammunition amplifies all the subtle deviations. If the buttstock isn't properly braced, the muzzle will jump upwards. If you don't keep your breath steady, the sights will sway. If you touch the trigger too quickly, you'll miss the target.

Live-fire exercises are the most basic firepower subject, laying the foundation for subsequent tactical training and serving as a prerequisite for all infantry tactical actions.

Only by mastering the essentials of live-fire shooting can one conduct more complex training such as squad and platoon tactics and combat drills after joining a unit.

Live-fire exercises further reinforce the soldiers' awareness that military orders are paramount. During live-fire exercises, every command includes mandatory prone loading, starting fire, and stopping to inspect the weapon. New recruits must obey unconditionally.

Even if any problems arise during the design process, new recruits cannot tinker with them on their own; they must raise their hands and report to the safety officer.

When recruits are assigned to their units after graduating from basic training, their live-fire shooting performance is one of the important assessment criteria.

Those with excellent grades have a greater chance of being selected for high-tech units such as reconnaissance squads and infantry elite squads.

New recruits who pass the exams and demonstrate consistent performance will be assigned to regular infantry squads.

Recruits who fail repeatedly or have poor mental fortitude may be reassigned to non-combat positions such as logistics or farms.

Live-fire shooting is the first watershed moment in a new recruit's military career, directly affecting their job assignments after joining their unit.

The first live-fire exercise can also be a great test of a recruit's shooting talent.

……

At six o'clock sharp, the reveille sounded. The new recruits had a comfortable morning, easily completing their morning exercises and having breakfast. Afterwards, they were led by their platoon leaders to line up and set off on a run.

It was only the beginning of December, and the temperature wasn't particularly low yet, but a strong, cold wind carrying sand lashed at the recruits' faces, feeling like tiny knives were cutting into them.

However, the new recruits had no time to worry about the discomfort on their faces. Thinking about the live-fire shooting that was about to begin, they were all incredibly excited.

How many boys don't like playing with guns? Guns are banned in China, so all kinds of toy guns for children are selling like hotcakes. Even adults can't resist playing with them. Now, they want to play with real guns, loaded with bullets.

The shooting range of the recruit company is only 800 or 900 meters away from the basic training ground as the crow flies. Following the route, it's a little over two kilometers, and it only takes about ten minutes to run there.

Twenty ring targets, lined up a hundred meters away, swayed slightly in the wind, awaiting their fate of being penetrated.

Accompanied by the shouts of "One, two, one," the excited recruits arrived at the assembly area, led by their platoon leaders, and waited according to orders.

A squeak, accompanied by a cloud of dust rising into the sky.

Two military trucks were parked on one side of the firing range. More than a dozen veterans from the ordnance department unloaded several boxes from the trucks, which contained Type 81-1 rifles and ammunition boxes.

As each rifle was inspected by the armorer and placed on the firing point, ammunition boxes were also placed to one side, and the ammunition handler and safety officer were all in place.

"Reporting to Company Commander Gao, the weapons are ready."

Once the armorers had finished their preparations, Gao Cheng immediately ordered, "Each platoon shall advance and fire in turn according to the plan."

The platoon leader stepped forward and distributed ammunition along with the ammunition distributor.

Each squad leader then stepped forward and carefully emphasized the key points of live-fire shooting, and then arranged for the new recruits to line up and receive bullets, which were then loaded into magazines.