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Worries eased
On being ordered to launch the trial, the brigade commanders reached a consensus -- to unleash the potential of chief NCOs, they had to first ease their concerns. “Chief NCOs are significant to army building, so we must try our best to have them work wholeheartedly,” they agreed.
Chief NCO Xu Dengbo, of No. 2 Battalion, says most chief non-commissioned officers were married and feared separation from their families. Wang Huilong, a chief NCO of the 9th Company of No. 3 Battalion, wanted more pay as he had just become a father. Chief NCO Gou Shixin, of the 12th Company of No. 4 Battalion, wished to have regular physical examinations to see how his past training injuries would develop. The brigade leaders deliberated on the requests and offered preliminary solutions.
“The commanders have attached high importance to us and this trial, so we must work hard,” says Chief NCO Chen Zhongbo, of the No. 1 Battalion. After 15 years in service, he has his first personal office and extra benefits in office supplies and health checks. Chief NCO Meng Xiangshi, of the No. 3 Battalion, has dreamed of becoming an officer. Although he bears no stars, he says he is as honored as those who do.
“Other people care about pay and benefits; I worry about my professional skills,” says Chief NCO Ma Tian, of the No. 3 Battalion. Proficient in driving, but poor in another six skills, Ma fears that he might pull down the performance of his battalion during assessments, so he takes time to learn from others.
Many chief NCOs share Ma’s concerns. Brigade Section Commander Sun Weipeng, in charge of military affairs, says all 36 chief NCOs are excellent and each holds many honors. But none is a jack of all trades, so the brigade is offering them regular training.
