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China Education and Training
Reforms in training and education constituted an important part
of the military modernization program in the 1980s. Senior
officials recognized that improving the military skills and raising
the education levels of both officers and troops were necessary
prerequisites for the utilization of more advanced weaponry and the
conduct of combined-arms operations. The PLA leadership focused
education reforms on the military academy system and altered
training to emphasize the officer corps, mechanized warfare, and
combined arms operations.
Revitalization of the Military Academy System
Beginning in 1978, the PLA began to revive the military academy
system, which the Cultural Revolution had devastated. By 1984 the
system had over 100 institutions and consisted of 2 kinds of
schools: command schools and specialized technical training
centers. The PLA increased funding for military education,
incorporated the study of foreign military experiences into the
curriculum, and expanded contacts with foreign military academies.
The rejuvenation of the military academies highlighted the emphasis
placed on officer training. The PLA stipulated that most new
officers should be military academy graduates, set minimum
education levels for all officers, and established special classes
to help officers meet those standards. Education and militaryacademy training thus became criteria for promotion, in addition to
seniority, performance, and experience.
In 1986 the PLA introduced three measures that further
strengthened the military academy system. First, at the top level
the PLA's Military Academy, Political Academy, and Logistics
Academy merged to form the National Defense University, China's
senior military training and research institution. Second, a new,
three-level training system for command officers was announced,
whereby command officers would receive regular training at junior,
middle, and higher military command academies. Third,
noncommissioned officer (NCO) training entered the military academy
system with the establishment of a naval academy for petty officers
and an air force NCO academy and the creation of NCO classes in
over forty ground force academies.
Data as of July 1987
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