On the parade ground, the national flag fluttered in the wind, and the military flag snapped beside it.
Over a thousand soldiers raised their right fists high and swore solemnly.
I am a member of the Chinese People's Liberation Army.
I swear:
To obey the leadership of the Communist Party of China.
To serve the people wholeheartedly.
To obey orders and remain loyal to my duties.
To strictly observe discipline and keep secrets.
To be brave and tenacious, unafraid of sacrifice.
To train hard in the skills of killing the enemy and remain ready for battle at all times.
Never to betray the military, and to defend the motherland to the death.
The soldiers shouted until their eyes blazed and the veins in their necks bulged. Ordinary people forged a Great Wall of steel with their flesh and blood, using their unyielding, indomitable will to protect the people! To defend the motherland!
They had made a great vow to the people and the motherland: until death!
They were soldiers now!
No!
They were warriors now!
Once the rank-awarding ceremony was over, the recruits of the New Recruit Regiment were taken back to their respective units. The political instructors organized an ideological session, and they wrote letters home afterward.
Only after lunch did the recruits take off their regular uniforms and change back into their training fatigues.
In the military, there were rules and regulations governing everything from walking, sitting, and lying down to food, clothing, shelter, and travel.
According to the Internal Service Regulations, military personnel were to wear training fatigues during combat, training, combat-readiness duty, emergency response, and physical labor. Units at division level and below could wear training fatigues uniformly during daily work and life. Offices of units at army level and above could also wear training