Starting today, the entire military officially uses reserve personnel certificates!

With the approval of the Central Military Commission, the entire military will issue and implement the "People's Liberation Army Reserve Personnel Certificate" starting today (March 1).

The "Reserve Personnel Certificate" is a core document style with high anti-counterfeiting features and general recognition, serving as an effective certificate to prove the identity of reserve personnel. The certificate number is a unique identity number generated by the system, issued to reserve officers, reserve non-commissioned officers, and reserve soldiers who serve in the People's Liberation Army in accordance with the law after the implementation of the "People's Republic of China Reserve Personnel Law." The "People's Liberation Army Reserve Officer Certificate" is hereby abolished.

What is special about the identity of reserve personnel?

The most notable characteristic of reserve personnel is their dual identity as "both soldiers and civilians." They are active in various sectors of society as ordinary workers; once the country needs them, they must don military uniforms and fulfill their duties as soldiers. Experts emphasize that due to this special attribute, the state has enacted specific legislation to protect their rights and interests.

Professor Zhang Yaoqun from the Joint Operations College of the National Defense University stated that the fundamental positioning of the current reserve forces is no longer as a "backup force" but as an important component of our military, under the centralized and unified leadership of the Party Central Committee and the Central Military Commission, effectively supplementing the active forces.

What benefits and protections do reserve personnel enjoy?

Experts introduced that first, there is an enhancement of honor, as reserve personnel will have special insignia uniforms. Secondly, there are economic benefits, mainly including allowances and subsidies.

The allowances and subsidies enjoyed by reserve personnel mainly include service allowances, task allowances, and related subsidies. Among them, service allowances include a basic monthly allowance and one-time additional allowances, task allowances, and corresponding subsidies based on annual assessment results. Reserve personnel come from various levels of local agencies, organizations, and enterprises, and their local work units should maintain their original salary, bonuses, benefits, and insurance entitlements.

In addition, there are clear regulations regarding medical care, bereavement compensation, and other aspects. Reserve personnel participating in combat enjoy the same medical treatment as soldiers, and during training and task execution, the military will purchase personal accident insurance for them. Those who are injured or killed due to combat, training, or other reasons will receive bereavement compensation in accordance with the "Regulations on Bereavement Compensation and Preferential Treatment for Soldiers."

Who can become reserve personnel?

To become a reserve personnel, one must first meet the basic "hard requirements" of political, age, and physical standards. Experts also introduced three additional requirements:

Age must be more than 4 years younger than the maximum age for serving in the reserves as stipulated by national law for each rank; this can be appropriately relaxed for urgent needs in preparation for war or special job requirements;

Political assessment and physical examination must meet the relevant standards for military recruitment;

Must have relevant work experience, management ability, or professional skills and technical level for the corresponding position.

The sources of reserve personnel mainly come from two areas: retired soldiers who meet the conditions for serving in the reserves and have registered for reserve service, and local professional technical talent. This means that if you are a retired soldier or have expertise in certain professional fields, you may be selected for the reserve forces.

What steps are required to join?

Experts explained that the entire selection process is led by the needs of the military, while individuals need to complete reserve registration.

The reserve forces, in conjunction with the provincial military district system or military recruitment agencies, will conduct the selection process based on the annual selection and supplementation plan issued by the Central Military Commission, following steps such as publicity, organization of pre-selection, physical examination, political assessment, comprehensive evaluation, processing of enlistment procedures, and completion of rank assignment and appointment.

For citizens who are willing to join, especially local professional technical talents, they can log on to the National Recruitment Network (www.gfbzb.gov.cn) to submit their information, or they can apply at the military recruitment agency of the county-level people's government in their registered residence or habitual residence.

Once war breaks out, how can reserve forces quickly complete the identity transition and rush to the battlefield?

According to legal provisions, during wartime, reserve forces will be converted to active duty based on the mobilization order issued by the state.

Experts explained that after the state issues a mobilization order, or the State Council and the Central Military Commission take necessary national defense mobilization measures in accordance with the law, the military should promptly issue a conscription notice to the summoned reserve personnel based on higher-level orders, organize personnel for collection and assembly, and notify the military recruitment agencies of the county, autonomous county, unincorporated city, and district where the reserve personnel are registered. Upon receiving the conscription notice, reserve personnel must report to the designated location within the specified time as required.

Once personnel are assembled, they will not immediately be sent into combat but will undergo critical "pre-combat training." This is to help reserve personnel quickly restore and enhance their combat skills and adapt to the battlefield environment.

After being summoned, reserve personnel will transition to active duty following the military's relevant regulations after assembly and organization of pre-combat training. The enlistment procedures for reserve personnel transitioning to active duty will be handled by the military recruitment agency of their reserve registration location, county, autonomous county, unincorporated city, or district, after which the military will assign the corresponding rank and appoint them to the appropriate position, fulfilling their duties as soldiers and executing combat missions.

Experts stated: "As soldiers, there are only two states: fighting and preparing to fight. As the main members of the reserve forces, reserve personnel should also respond to summons at any time, obey orders to participate in combat, and strive for victory!"

Source: CCTV Military