Required Military Training in China

China Military Guy

by Michael Tieso on September 9, 2010

in Asia,Destinations,Featured

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One of the first things I noticed at my university were students in military uniforms. This confused me. Did I just sign up to teach English at a military base camp? The students were lined up on several fields throughout the university. The leader of each group shouted into the megaphones as the students chant and march forward in unison. They start at 6am and continues till around 10pm with several different groups.

Issued by China’s ministry of education, this is required for all university students in China to graduate. They must complete this one month course at their university and it’s usually the month before classes start. At my university, this is completed by the second year students though many other universities have it completed before their first year. It’s not nearly as difficult as true military training but still holds some of the basic concepts. The students are taught to follow orders, striping away any thought of independence for their university life. Officially, it’s to teach the students self-discipline while unofficially makes them more patriotic. My students said it’s hard work and that their not a fan of the requirement. In my opinion, this doesn’t seem the best way to be teaching the youth self-discipline if that’s truly what they’re even aiming for.

Military Training in China

Military Training in China

Military Training in China

Military Training in China

Military Training in China

Military Training in China

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Michael Tieso travels around the world writing, photographing, and filming his adventures. He is the Editor-in-chief of Art of Backpacking -- a website that provides stories, tips, and advice about all things backpacking. He runs a travel blogging community called Art of Travel Blogging. He's currently filming a documentary on travel and technology called Everywhere Connection. He left the cubicle life to travel the world in May 2009 and he still continues the journey to this day with no end to it. He loves adventure, food, and music. Follow him on Facebook, Twitter, and .

Michael has written 256 awesome articles for AOB.

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  • http://www.tctype.com ChinaMatt

    Goes right along with their required courses on philosophy of Marx, Mao, and Deng (which they have to repeat if they attend grad school).

    • http://artofbackpacking.com Michael

      That I did not know. Interesting….

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  • Marina K. Villatoro

    What a weird thing! For me this is not the way to teach students discipline.

  • Sasha

    That is ridiculous! Though I find myself saying that about a lot of things in China! Like the Chinese need to be more self disciplined, Chinese children at least I swear are the most self disciplined and dedicated to their studies in the entire world. I’m sure that’s completely drilled into them by the time they’re 7 let alone in University. It’s just another excuse to drill more government ideologies into their minds!

  • http://www.suzy.nu/ Suzy Lounge Bar

    This is the reason why Chinese people are very disciplined. Countries around Asia should do the same to discipline its countrymen. =)