As part of an upskilling process, the Chinese People's
Liberation Army (PLA) is promoting more soldiers to the rank of
sergeant, according to the latest figures from the PLA.
Half of the enlisted troops are now sergeants, a rank introduced
to China 29 years ago, reflecting the needs of a more modern and
more high-tech army.
In 2003, the PLA began recruiting qualified professional
technicians from non-military departments to occupy positions which
require new and complicated weapon skills.
"Now sergeants occupy all the key positions that require
high-tech skills in fields such as armour, missiles,
communications, radar and naval vessels," said Li Jianbo, an
officer from Beijing Military Area Command.
The Chinese military service law revised in 1998 states that
soldiers who volunteer to prolong their active duty and acquire the
necessary qualifications can be promoted to the rank of
sergeant.
According to the Active Soldier Service Ordinance, a sergeant
can serve as long as 30 years. Senior sergeants enjoy the same
treatment as regimental officers, and both can serve till
retirement.
Since 1999, the number of trained sergeants in the PLA has
increased by 30,000 annually, with more than 300,000 sergeants
obtaining professional certificates.
The restructuring of the Army is considered vital as a way of
lifting standards and improving battle effectiveness.
(PLA Daily July 16, 2007)