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Women eager to join up

By Wang Wei (China Daily)
Updated: 2010-10-28 08:21

The 21-year-old Li Jing (left) and 22-year-old Sun Na pose after they registered to join the army. Zou Hong / China Daily

Military life attracting increasing number of talented new recruits

Women wanting to join the military will have to jump through more hoops this year, according to the Beijing municipal recruitment office.

The elevated entry standards are down to the fact that there are a limited number of vacancies and a large number of women wanting to join up.

One bar that has been raised is that of height. Last year, women could enlist if they were 160 cm tall. This year, they will need to be at least 162 cm, said Liao Yingao, the senior officer in charge of recruitment.

Only graduating students from senior high schools aged 18 and graduating students from universities who are 22 or younger will be eligible to apply this year. In previous years, the age limit for bachelor degree holders was 24.

"The quantity and quality of our applicants is rising, so we have to raise our standards," said Liao, adding that most popular jobs for women in the military was in the signal corps.

He said the number of women wanting to serve their country has been growing in recent years.

Reportedly, the number of female army applicants surged to 3,000 in 2009 from 1,000 in 2008. However, Liao would not say exactly how many applicants there were this year.

One other change this year is the elimination of the "artistic performance" that caused controversy last year. Instead of having to perform as part of the selection process, candidates this year will take part in a 60-meter run and do sit-ups and the standing long jump, according to Liao.

"But if two candidates perform similarly, versatility will be a factor to consider," he added.

With the surge in the number of women wanting to join the military, it is clear that women are viewing the armed forces as a desirable career.

Sun Na is typical. The 22-year-old, who grew up in a military community and whose father is an army man, gave up an opportunity to pursue a postgraduate degree in the UK when she applied to become a soldier this year.

Sun said she feels a strong bond to the military.

The graduating student from the law department at Beijing Technology and Business University told METRO that, like most women born after 1980, she would benefit from more discipline, both mentally and physically.

"This is the lesson I have been missing in life. I am here to make up for it," she said.

"It is going to be an incredible experience for me. After two years of service in the military, I don't think there will be any difficulties in life that I will not be able to conquer."

The online registration of female recruits, which is being used for the first time this year, will end on Saturday. Then, applicants will be expected to go through physical checkups, physiological testing and an interview.

The recruitment of female members of the military will wrap up in early December.

China Daily

(China Daily 10/28/2010)