Soldiers Assault: Starting from the 7th Steel Company

Chapter 268 The Grand Military Parade!
Under Chen Jiang's strong leadership, the country's military industry has achieved one remarkable success after another.

It was only right after the New Year when Chen Jiang was called in for a talk. This time, his task was not to push forward scientific research, but to inform the country that it would be holding a grand military parade to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

Chen Jiang was selected for the parade preparation team, mainly responsible for the equipment inspection.

Most importantly, he was also honorably selected as one of the leaders of the special forces marching contingent.

This really made him complain bitterly.

In fact, just getting the equipment is an extremely heavy task, and you also have to be responsible for leading the team in marching, which is a task that a human can accomplish.
"Are you confident?"

"Yes! Mission accomplished!"

There was nothing I could do; he was a soldier, and I had to obey.

Because the military parade involves a great deal of things, many things need to be prepared in advance, which means the preparation period takes more than half a year.

The first step is to determine the size and representation of the marching contingents participating in the parade, as well as the selection of equipment. This requires submitting a proposal.

After approval is obtained, the second step is to select the personnel, equipment, and instructors for the formation.

The third step is repeated practice, and the final step is joint rehearsal.

Therefore, Chen Jiang needs to draft the equipment details first, then have a designated person compile them into a plan and submit it. Once the higher-ups approve it, it can be implemented.

Chen Jiang reviewed the equipment formations from previous military parades and found that the infantry formations were becoming fewer but more refined, while the equipment formations were becoming more numerous, reflecting the principle of main battle equipment as the foundation and new equipment making their debut!

Therefore, in Chen Jiang's mind, traditional armored forces are definitely necessary, such as the Type 99 and Type 96 main battle tanks, wheeled armored infantry fighting vehicles, and self-propelled artillery. In addition, there are information command vehicles, logistics support vehicles, and so on. Next are various missile launchers and intercontinental ballistic missiles, which are important national weapons.

It is worth mentioning that Chen Jiang strongly suggested including drone units, which are an emerging military force in our country.

The air formation was in a rather awkward position because China still had a large number of second-generation aircraft at the time, with a huge number of J-7 and J-8 fighters. It was definitely not feasible to exclude these aircraft from the parade. So, we had to send in the cutting-edge J-10 and J-11 fighters, along with newly commissioned helicopters and early warning aircraft, as well as modified H-6 bombers. This would have been a more reliable approach.

Finally, the task of releasing smoke was handed over to the trainer aircraft.

After pondering it for a while, Chen Jiang submitted the proposal concerning the equipment.

It was approved quickly, but some modifications were still made. For example, the J-7 was removed as it was too old, and the JH-7 (Flying Leopard) was used instead. Other changes included the inclusion of the Dongfeng-31A, a key national asset and a flagship product of strategic ballistic missiles!
According to Chen Jiang's understanding,
Currently, intercontinental ballistic missiles worldwide are divided into two main categories:

The first type is fueled by liquid fuel and launched from fixed silos. The advantages of this type of missile are its large size, long range, large payload, and powerful destructive force. However, its disadvantages include easy detection, poor battlefield survivability, and the long preparation time before launch (usually several hours) due to the use of liquid fuel. Furthermore, this type of missile generally lacks terminal trajectory change capabilities and is primarily for deterrence.

The second type uses solid materials and is launched from large launch vehicles. The advantages of this type of missile are its short preparation time before launch, typically only a dozen minutes, and its ability to change course at the terminal stage, making it highly combat-ready and significantly more survivable. However, its disadvantage is that its range is generally not very long; most are medium- or long-range ballistic missiles, and they are often deployed on strategic missile nuclear submarines.

The Dongfeng-31A uses NEPE-75 high-energy propellant, which not only allows for a very short preparation time, but also, as my country's first solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile, has the capability of road-mobile launch and is the land-based core of the "triad" nuclear deterrence system.

With the equipment issue resolved, the question of which unit to select for the parade needed careful consideration. It's unclear where those people got the information about the upcoming parade, but many called to plead their case.

Some of them were his former superiors or old friends, and he really couldn't handle it.

"Old Chen, our division's reconnaissance battalion is the best in the entire army. You have to reserve a spot for us in the marching formation this time!"

"Brother Chen, the soldiers under my command march in perfect unison. Would you like to take a look?"

"Director Chen, our commander specifically instructed me to allocate a squadron quota for our armored division. You know, our division's main battle tanks are the latest models."

Holding the scorching microphone, Chen Jiang smiled wryly and said to his subordinates, "Well, now I've become the most sought-after person."

However, after being bombarded with numerous phone calls, Chen Jiang finally reached his breaking point.

At the preparatory meeting, he solemnly suggested: "Gentlemen, I suggest that a formal notice be issued immediately, requiring all participating troops to undergo rigorous assessments and to implement an open, fair, and just selection mechanism. We want to select the elite soldiers who can best represent the image of the People's Liberation Army!"

This decision was immediately supported by higher authorities. Soon, a selection standard for the marching contingents, equipment contingents, and air echelons was issued to the entire army in the form of a notice, which clearly stated that the selection of participating troops would be carried out openly through "unified assessment and comprehensive evaluation".

Just as the selection process was about to begin, Chen Jiang received an unexpected phone call—from Yuan Lang, the captain of the A Battalion, his former unit.

"Captain Yuan!" Chen Jiang straightened his back immediately upon hearing the other person's voice.

Yuan Lang was the one who brought him into the special forces.

"Chen Jiang, I'm not here to pull strings," Yuan Lang said in a booming voice. "I'm here to tell you that Team A is prepared to accept any test. We'll let our strength speak for itself! Even if there's only one marching contingent besides the honor guard in this parade, it will still be us!"

These words moved and pleased Chen Jiang.

He knew that this was the attitude a true soldier should have.

"Captain Yuan, this competition isn't about shooting or hand-to-hand combat; it's entirely about formation drills," Chen Jiang reminded him with a smile.

"What's there to be afraid of?" Yuan Lang said dismissively. "No matter what our A Team does, we're always number one. Formations are nothing, we've got it covered!"

Hearing Yuan Lang's confident statement, Chen Jiang could only offer a few words of encouragement. In reality, Chen Jiang knew very well that special forces didn't usually train in these things, and the hardships they would have to endure to suddenly start paying attention to them were unimaginable.

Over the next month, Chen Jiang followed the assessment team to all the major units across the military.

Selection and assessment were carried out in various JQs. First, the selection of equipment formations was carried out. The equipment had to be the top-notch main equipment in the country. The troops equipped with this new equipment were basically the ace troops in their respective regions, so the selection was not difficult.

The battalion he used to serve in, from the C brigade, was selected this time. The latest Type 99A main battle tanks and other armored vehicles will be inspected, and the battalion commander was overjoyed.

As for the air echelon, it's even more convenient. The best of the best are selected from among the Air Force's ace pilots, and there isn't much room for choice in terms of the main fighter jets. We can just follow the previously established plan step by step.

The selection of the hiking team was the only real headache.

There are so many elite troops, so many meritorious units with outstanding combat achievements. The key is that their overall quality is top-notch. It's really hard to choose.

There's no other way; even if they're all top students, we have to choose the best of the best!

Therefore, they specially invited the standard-bearers of the three armed forces honor guard to be examiners. First, they eliminated candidates based on "hard indicators" such as height and physique, and then they conducted a comprehensive evaluation based on psychological qualities and usual illnesses and injuries.

Finally, there's the on-site practical operation, where these "eagle-eyed" individuals meticulously examine every detail.

At the assessment site of Team A, Chen Jiang witnessed a breathtaking scene: after completing a series of highly difficult tactical maneuvers, the special forces soldiers were still able to maintain their neat formation and march in a powerful and resounding manner.

"This is the kind of unit we need!" A commander made the decision on the spot. "They have excellent military skills and can demonstrate the spirit of soldiers. I think this special forces unit is a good fit!"

Ultimately, a group of participants were selected from various units across the military to undergo several months of intensive training at the capital's training grounds.

The most rigorous training was for the infantry formation. When they arrived at the parade training ground, they discovered that it was under completely closed management. Although Chen Jiang held a high rank, he was no exception, which greatly increased his pressure.

Reliving the old drill training with other people is a feeling that's hard to describe.

Fortunately, the other officer leading the parade turned out to be an old acquaintance of his—Yuan Lang. The two of them were the highest-ranking officers leading the parade.

Chen Jiang not only had to handle the heavy workload of the preparatory group, coordinate with all parties, and solve various problems that arose during equipment assembly, transportation, and support; but also had to put on his training uniform and appear on the training ground of the marching team, where he and his teammates would be subjected to the "torture" of the instructors.

The instructors at the training ground are mainly from the Guard of Honor of the three services, and each of them is a "king of soldiers" among "kings of soldiers". Their requirements for formation movements are down to the millimeter level.

The height of the arm swing, the distance between strides, the speed of the kick, the force of the slam, and even the angle of a glance all have precise and demanding standards.

"Number 1, your arm line has increased by one centimeter!"

"Number 1, pay attention to the rhythm, 75 cm stride, 112 steps per minute, don't get off track!"

"Stop! Align the entire formation! From the front, it should be a straight line! From the side, it should look like a row of guns!"

Although Chen Jiang possesses excellent military skills, he has been away from frontline troops for many years and his daily work involves macro-management and scientific research coordination. This kind of drill training, which requires muscle memory and extreme concentration, is a huge challenge for him.

Moreover, the requirements here are extremely high. To train hard with these young soldiers, you must humble yourself and learn from them.

Chen Jiang and Yuan Lang gave the instructors an order: here, they should not address each other by their job titles, but by their numbers, so as to facilitate management and command.

As it turns out, this method is indeed much more efficient.

Chen Jiang and Yuan Lang had extremely high standards for their training, often requesting extra practice sessions. Initially, the instructors were hesitant, but seeing their leaders' genuine desire to learn and improve, they went all out to teach and train them rigorously.
If your legs and arms can't reach the standard height, then measure them with a ruler, pull them with a rope, and secure them with backpack straps to force muscle memory out.
If your pace and rhythm are unstable, follow the metronome, taking one step and stopping for half an hour at a time, until your legs are numb, until the "tap, tap" rhythm feels like it's hitting your heart directly, becoming an instinct.
To develop that powerful kicking style, they practiced kicking with sandbags tied to their legs and repeatedly practiced slamming their ankles on the concrete. Their ankles swelled and healed repeatedly, and they wore out countless pairs of combat boots.

The special forces soldiers he trained with included members of the elite Special Forces unit, as well as those transferred from other units.
At first, I was a little reserved with this "leader" team leader, but when I saw Chen Jiang put down his airs and sweat profusely under the scorching sun just like them, being criticized mercilessly by the instructors for his non-standard movements, and gritting his teeth to persevere in every movement, my respect for him arose spontaneously.

During training breaks, everyone got along well, and Chen Jiang would occasionally chat with them about the general situation of my country's new equipment, giving these soldiers, who were skilled in individual combat, a more intuitive understanding of the nation's heavy weapons.

Time slipped away quietly amidst sweat, hardship, and the repeated problem-solving.

As summer turned to autumn, after several rounds of brutal elimination and selection, the formation of the hiking team was finally finalized.

Those who are selected as starters should cherish this hard-won opportunity, while those who can only be substitutes for the time being should not be discouraged. They should continue to train hard, in case they have the chance to be a substitute.
The squad led by Chen Jiang and Yuan Lang, with their soaring fighting spirit, iron will, and millimeter-precise movements, became the benchmark for the entire training field.

At the same time, the assembly and training of the equipment formations are also underway.

As National Day approaches, various types of equipment from all over the country are arriving at a dedicated training ground on the outskirts of Beijing.

The Type 99A main battle tank, new infantry fighting vehicles, various artillery pieces, and massive missile launchers form a steel forest.

Training the equipment formation is equally challenging, requiring all vehicles to maintain constant speed and distance while moving, and the interval error between vehicles must be controlled to the limit, which is a great test for the drivers.

Chen Jiang moved between the marching and equipment formations, witnessing firsthand the gradual transformation of the troops participating in the parade.

The marching formations went from being perfectly synchronized to moving in unison with a thousand people, their steps thundering across the ground.
The steel torrent of equipment formations, from slight imperfections to perfect precision, surged forward with overwhelming momentum.

After the training results of each formation received initial approval from the parade commander-in-chief, the formations finally began joint training.

However, joint training is far more complicated than marching in a single formation. Various unexpected problems arose one after another. Fortunately, many of the team members were veterans who had participated in the military parade. With everyone's concerted efforts and the full support of the logistics department, all problems were eventually solved.

The scale of joint training has been increasing, from single formations to the coordination of multiple formations, then to the connection between all foot formations and equipment formations, and finally to full-element joint training including aerial formations.

When the steel torrent and the resounding footsteps intertwine on the training ground, when the roar of fighter jets and the slogans of officers and soldiers merge into one, the overwhelming and unstoppable momentum makes everyone involved feel excited.

Everyone is eagerly anticipating that sacred and glorious day.

(End of this chapter)