LET'S GO: On March 18, armed police soldiers recruited from colleges see each other off at a boot camp in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region after six months of training (LIN XIN)

Chen Chenglong, a new recruit in the firefighting troops of the Chinese People's Armed Police Force, didn't spend this year's National Day holiday, October 1-7, like most college graduates who usually spend the time shopping, traveling and relaxing with friends. Instead, he spent three days of the weeklong National Day holiday on duty and another four days waiting for orders.

Before graduating from the University of Inner Mongolia in July, Chen received job offers from the Construction Bank of China and a tobacco company. But he chose to join the army.

"Life in the army is different from that of a civilian," Chen said. "You have to obey the rules strictly. Even though I might choose to leave the army after two years, I think the experience is very valuable."

Until recently very few college graduates chose to join the rank and file of the army. However, Chen and others like him believe that the army offers them the best avenue for social advancement.

"I see a brighter future serving in the army," Chen said. "There were only about 30 college graduates amongst the 1,000 new recruits in my boot camp, therefore I think I have a good chance of standing out."

The strong desire for self-improvement is also the reason that Gao Ming, a student at Peking University, decided to become a soldier in December 2005. "To be a soldier had long been my dream and I didn't think I would have the chance after I graduated" said Gao, who was the first college student in recent times to join the army in China.

"Life in the army is very ordered. We spend most of the time in training. We get up at around 5 a.m. and go to bed at 9:30 p.m.," Gao recalled. "This is the opposite of university life as students usually lie in bed until lunch time and go to sleep late at night."

After serving in the Second Artillery Force of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), Gao returned to Peking University in November 2007 to complete his degree.

"He (Gao) has become much more mature," said Ma Huaxiang, head of the Student Affairs Department of Peking University. "In the past joining the army was for high school graduates who failed to gain access to higher learning institutions. Now things are changing."

Tempering life

"Modern warfare makes extensive use of advanced technology," said Xu Zuolin, a professor at the National University of Defense Technology. "The development of military technologies requires more knowledgeable soldiers. The mainstay of the PLA, however, is still high school graduates. This will not meet the needs of a modern army."

In September 2001, the State Council, China's cabinet, revised the military recruitment regulations and allowed college students to enroll in the army as part of a pilot scheme. More than 2,000 students from around the country were recruited that year.

Zhu Weichao, who is studying at Xiamen University in southeastern province of Fujian as a postgraduate student majoring in advertising, joined the No.71571 Army Division based in Jinan City, Shandong Province, in December 2005.

"I had the idea of joining the army when I was a freshman in the university. My parents didn't agree until I was in my third year," Zhu said. "I know some people join the army because they imagine it will be full of adventure. I have to tell them that the truth is quite different from what you see in movies and on TV. You have to be prepared for a disciplined life and hard training."

Zhu revealed that fresh recruits have to clean their dormitories as many as 10 times a day, and spend hours learning how to fold quilts into perfect rectangles.