Study theory, understand combat: this political cadre is both literary and martial.

Political Commissar Zhang Wusong of a certain Rocket Army brigade is practical and responsible, strict with himself, and the troops he leads have successfully completed more than 20 major tasks including live-fire exercises.

Learning theory and understanding combat, this political officer is both literate and martial.

Political Commissar Zhang Wusong (fourth from the left) of a certain Rocket Army brigade is deploying task actions at the command post.

Photo by Liu Mingsong (Xinhua)

Deep in the dense forest, the officers and soldiers of a certain Rocket Army brigade are facing a comprehensive capability test.

The first to take the exam in the "central tent" is a bald-headed colonel with bright eyes. He is seen sometimes bending over a large map to draw circles, and at other times quickly typing on a computer keyboard. From drafting determination to applying tactics, from mobilizing for battle to making decisions on the spot, he excelled in over ten assessment subjects and passed smoothly.

This colonel is Zhang Wusong, the political commissar of the brigade.

Having engaged in political work for over 20 years, he always remembers his responsibilities and mission, is practical and responsible, and maintains a strict self-discipline, setting a good example for political officers in the new era. Over the years, the troops led by Zhang Wusong have successfully completed more than 20 major tasks, including live-fire exercises and combat readiness duty, with the morale of the officers and soldiers high and their ability to operate major national equipment continuously improving, writing a strong military answer with youth and blood.

"The heavier the task, the more severe the test, the more we must tighten the 'master switch' of thought."

"Why did you come to join the army?"

"To realize my childhood dream" "To defend my home and country"…

Under the blazing sun, after a high-intensity confrontation drill, a group of soldiers sat together, chatting enthusiastically.

At this moment, Zhang Wusong happened to pass by and joined the conversation. "No matter what your original intention for joining the army is, once you are in the troops, you must pay more attention to learning and arm your mind with theory."

"Commissar, what help has learning theory brought you?" a new soldier asked.

"If you learn theory well, your mind will be clearer, and it will be less likely for you to go astray." Zhang Wusong said candidly.

On ordinary days, Zhang Wusong closely monitors the real issues and thoughts of the officers and soldiers, acting as a "theoretical translator" for them. "I used to find theoretical study a bit dull and couldn't raise my interest, but under the influence of the commissar, I gradually changed." First Sergeant Ma Tianlong said that Zhang Wusong uses experiential, case-based, and situational methods for theoretical learning, transforming theoretical knowledge into "soldier language" that grassroots officers and soldiers can understand and accept. Now, under Zhang Wusong's influence, Ma Tianlong has become the political instructor of the company.

On the training ground, at duty points, and under the launchers, everywhere is a classroom. Zhang Wusong said: "The heavier the task, the more severe the test, the more we must tighten the 'master switch' of thought. Only by firmly occupying the ideological position can we always hold the launch position." As political education continues to deepen, Zhang Wusong insists on embedding ideological and political work into combat readiness and operations. He discusses faith using real combat cases, talks about responsibility and mission in relation to duty, breaks down big principles into digestible pieces, and speaks to the hearts of the officers and soldiers, inspiring them to bravely move forward on the journey of strengthening the military.

"Under the commissar's influence, everyone has begun to focus on studying and researching, gradually putting innovative theories into their minds, and their political literacy and party spirit have also unknowingly improved." Company instructor Yang Liu told reporters.

In recent years, the troops led by Zhang Wusong have been on combat readiness duty year-round, organizing live-fire exercises hundreds of times, with missile weapons always in a "fully drawn bow" state. The officers and soldiers respond to orders and act promptly, ensuring that major national equipment is firmly in the hands of loyal and reliable personnel.

"Not only do we need to learn theory, but we also need to understand combat, aiming to become 'experts in both fields', so that we can speak convincingly and act compellingly."

Not long ago, a post-95 company commander, Kang Yubang, became Zhang Wusong's "teacher."

In 2025, Zhang Wusong took over as the political commissar of the brigade where Kang Yubang served. Shortly after taking office, he took the initiative to learn from the officers and soldiers about the brigade's combat situation.

When studying and discussing with Kang Yubang, Zhang Wusong showed a "determined to get to the bottom of things" attitude: "What are the characteristics of the missiles equipped by the troops in combat operations?" "What are the key nodes in combat actions?"… He delved into each parameter and chart, asking in-depth questions for an entire morning, refusing to give up until he understood, leaving Kang Yubang overwhelmed with questions.

"The leader takes the lead in studying military strategies, motivating us to develop real skills and hard capabilities to win." Kang Yubang said.

This is not an isolated case. Wherever he takes office, Zhang Wusong always settles down to study combat plans and familiarize himself with combat processes. He has consulted over 60 "gold medal gunners," combat staff, and missile experts, mastering the professional knowledge of various missile types, and has been rated as a first-class individual in military training for seven consecutive years. By the end of 2025, after the main officer assessment organized by the higher authorities, Zhang Wusong stood out among many commanders.

"Whether political work can fully play its service and guarantee role is directly related to the hard combat skills of political officers. We political officers must not only learn theory but also understand combat, aiming to become 'experts in both fields', so that we can speak convincingly and act compellingly." Zhang Wusong said.

From brigade political commissar to brigade political commissar, Zhang Wusong always takes the lead in studying plans, assessing situations, and practicing command, serving as a guide for the officers and soldiers to refine their thoughts and becoming a pioneer in strengthening the military. Once, when a brigade leader performed poorly in a capability assessment organized by higher authorities, Zhang Wusong immediately led the brigade party members to deeply reflect on the shortcomings in combat readiness and formulated targeted solutions.

To adapt to future combat needs, Zhang Wusong and the brigade party committee members all shoulder multiple heavy responsibilities, organizing battlefield reconnaissance and expansion, prioritizing the acceleration of battlefield construction, and promoting battlefield expansion to provide reliable support for striking and defeating the enemy.

In the past two years, Zhang Wusong and the brigade party committee members have achieved a 100% pass rate in military capability qualification certification, all having undergone training through major tasks, establishing a clear orientation towards combat readiness and capability enhancement throughout the brigade. "In the future, when we go to the battlefield, if we want to be the ace card, we must first refine ourselves into a leading goose in combat readiness." he said.

"Doing good things well, doing practical things practically, and gathering every small matter together is a major matter for strengthening the military."

In the majestic mountains, a certain technical unit is stationed.

A few years ago, the barracks facilities here were old, and the accommodation conditions for family members visiting were average. Now, the camp is equipped with various facilities, the dormitories are clean and bright, and the overall appearance has been completely renewed.

"The political commissar always keeps the officers and soldiers in the mountains in mind." Soldier Wang Binglei said with emotion.

The change came from an on-site investigation.

That year, shortly after Zhang Wusong took office in the brigade, he conducted an in-depth investigation in this remote camp. He walked around the camp, inspecting the officers and soldiers' dormitories one by one, and after understanding the situation, he immediately organized the officers and soldiers to conduct special research and made great efforts to improve the camp conditions.

Zhang Wusong not only set requirements but also rolled up his sleeves to solve problems. He continuously supported the unit, from long-term planning and organizational construction to cadre training and logistical support, addressing each issue and promoting the unit's construction to new heights.

"Although we are in the deep mountains, we can still win championship medals in various competitions organized by the brigade and rank among the advanced." Unit instructor Wu Guoguo said.

All along, Zhang Wusong has always established and practiced a correct view of political achievements, focusing on the urgent and difficult needs of the grassroots, solving the bottlenecks and difficulties that restrict grassroots construction and affect combat effectiveness, and ensuring that the matters that gain the trust of the officers and soldiers are handled well one by one.

In March of this year, during an investigation, Zhang Wusong heard many heartfelt words: grassroots officers and soldiers are unfamiliar with various business departments in the organization, making it inconvenient to handle affairs. Zhang Wusong kept the problem in mind and immediately convened personnel for discussion and research. Subsequently, a service station for officers and soldiers was established next to the office building, where various matters can be handled in a one-stop manner, achieving the goal of "running the most only once."

He dares to take on "hot potatoes" and is willing to address "entangled old accounts." In nearly 10 years of service, he has resolved dozens of long-standing difficult issues, winning the heartfelt recognition of the officers and soldiers.

"Doing good things well, doing practical things practically, and gathering every small matter together is a major matter for strengthening the military." Zhang Wusong said.

While treating the officers and soldiers with warmth, he remains strict with himself. Zhang Wusong uses both words and actions to fill the deep mountain camp with integrity and righteousness. Now, Zhang Wusong leads the officers and soldiers to refine their thoughts, reorganize their teams, and align their steps, consciously transforming the political enthusiasm generated by political education into practical actions of loyal mission fulfillment.