In early November, an armored regiment of the Lanzhou Military Area Command started its year-end training examination. Different from previous years, the traditional way of examination was abandoned in which each item, such as theory, operation, skill and commanding, was examined one by one. However, in this year's examination, the fully equipped troops were taken to an unfamiliar area to conduct an overall training examination close to real war.

　　In the past, the examination scores were made by adding up scores of different items together. Though most of the troops seemed to "perform well", their real combat capabilities were still in question. In this year's examination, the comprehensive tactical drill was given a larger proportion in the marking system. Elements' overall training level and combat capability were tested in close to real war drills whose contents stressed command coordination, tactical mobility, firepower strike, integrated defense and comprehensive support.

　　During the training examination, the troops were confronted with simulated battlefield in strange and complex areas and without any preplans or preliminary tests. For example, the "Blue Army" conducted electronic jamming to test the examinee elements which reacted smartly and was given grade A. The officers and men told the reporter that such grade A was convincing.

　　By Jia Wenheng and Wang Guangli

　　(November 14, PLA Daily)