In early December, a military appraisal was conducted in a unit under the Nanjing Military Area Command. Although a batch of veteran soldiers had just retired from that unit, it still managed to get excellent results in the military appraisal.　

　　The reporters witnessed the field communication test of a communication element conducted in a mountainous drill ground that day: 8 NOCs swiftly occupied their "combat positions" and then immediately started to lay communication lines and set up transmitter-receiver. It took only fifteen minutes for the element to establish a field communication command post. According to Liu Hailin, commander of the communication element, although a batch of technical backbones had demobilized from the element this year, the remaining 8 NCOs were versatile, because they had received multi-post training. Therefore, the fighting capacity of the entire communication element remained quite stable in spite of demobilization of large number of veteran solders.　

　　This military appraisal was a reflection of steady transition of troop's fighting capability after demobilization of veteran soldiers. In the previous years, due to shortage of talented personnel at certain posts after demobilization of veterans, some equipment became "grounded", as nobody could handle them. This year, the element made preparations in advance. An activity entitled "leaving technical skills behind, making contributions to troops" was widely carried out among veteran soldiers. And technical experts were invited to give lectures on such topics as communication, driving skill and computer science, etc., so as to pass on their knowledge and skills to those NCOs and solders that would continue to serve in the element. Besides, veteran soldiers and recruits were required to form couples to let veterans help and guide recruits. At the same time, the troops also made strict selections of NCOs who would continue to serve in the element, making sure that all remaining NCOs were versatile in their skills. Besides, the element also adopted various measures to ensure the stability of combat power of the element, such as inviting professionals and experts to give lectures, sending officers and men to colleges to receive training, etc. Post-rotation training was carried out widely among soldiers so as to enhance their all-round capability.　

　　By Yang Zhi and Wu De

　　(December 16, PLA Daily)