In 1988, the Chinese People's Liberation Army restored the "military rank system", and since then, officers are officers, soldiers are soldiers, and official ranks and ranks are clear at a glance.
Because we have just experienced the "self-defense counterattack war against Vietnam" and the war at the front has not yet completely ended, many friends associate our army's restoration of the "military rank system" with this war, and thus start associations:
An army cannot do without ranks, and it is impossible to fight a war without ranks.
The typical basis for this conclusion comes from the "self-defense counterattack war against Vietnam" that is still fresh in everyone's memory.
Old** Self-defense counterattack against Vietnam.
The opinion is that in this war, the People's Liberation Army does not have rank identification symbols, and soldiers basically rely on "familiar faces" to identify their commanders.
Because there is no military rank, the "two pockets" and "four pockets" have become the only signs to distinguish the identities of officers and soldiers, and moreover, platoon commanders, army commanders, and other officers are all "four pockets", and it is impossible to distinguish between high and low ranks.
Therefore, in the event of an unexpected situation such as the death of a commander, the command relationship of the armed forces will be "chaotic" and it is very easy for confusion to occur, thus incurring unimaginable consequences.
So, is this view valid?
What exactly is the relationship between rank and command?
Could it be that military rank is a "panacea" to ensure the continuity and stability of command?
First of all, I think it is necessary to figure out one question - what is a military rank? What is the role of military ranks?
The PLA military rank system is an honor given by the state to military personnel. The criteria for promotion to military rank include comprehensive factors such as the position, seniority, contribution, and talent of the soldier.
This is the official standard definition of the "rank system".
Its role is also very clear: it straightens out the relationship between officers and officers; adjusted the ratio of officers; Enhance the sense of responsibility and honor of soldiers; improving the quality of officers; Strengthen the command, management, support, and coordination of the armed forces.
Second, the military rank is a military rank, and don't forget that there is also a position.
Old** PLA soldier in a Type 65 military uniform.
Everyone must not ignore the fact that soldiers have military ranks, from private to general and marshal; At the same time, there are also positions, ranging from the squad leader of the "head of the army" to the commander and commander of thousands of troops.
However, rank and position are two different concepts.
Military rank is mainly used to distinguish the rank of soldiers, in fact, for soldiers, military rank is more of a treatment, honor, it can accompany the soldier's life.
And the position is different, dispensable, up or down.
Even if you have a position, whether you are a military commander, a commander, a company commander, or a platoon commander, "you have to get off the train when you arrive at the station", the position cannot be accompanied for life, and in the end, you will either be discharged from the army, change jobs, or retire or leave.
Therefore, military rank is a "symbol" of the rank of a soldier, and only those who have a position may have authority.
However, there is a certain correspondence between the position and the rank:
For example, under normal circumstances, platoon officers will have the rank of second lieutenant and lieutenant, and regimental officers will have the rank of lieutenant colonel or colonel.
The actual situation is not quite the same, because for various reasons, there are often situations of "high rank and low rank" and "low rank and high position" in the military.
Therefore, if you do not hold a certain position, no matter how high the military rank, you may not be able to exercise command.
Third, is the superior and the subordinate, the commander and the commanded, and the rank deciding?
With regard to the relationship between superiors and subordinates, the regulations stipulate that officers and soldiers are subordinate to each other on the basis of their administrative positions and ranks, and regardless of whether they are directly subordinate or not, those with higher administrative positions are superiors.
At the same time, the regulations stipulate that when the administrative position is not known to each other, the higher rank is the superior.
About the Command Relationship:
The regulations stipulate that when a soldier loses contact with his superiors and cannot recover for a while, the relationship between the commander and the commanded shall be determined in the following order.
First of all, take the initiative to accept the command of the head of the friendly neighboring troops;
Front: Officers with four pockets Rear: Soldiers with two pockets.
Second, if it is impossible to contact friendly and neighboring troops, they should take the initiative to organize and have a high-ranking person take charge of the command.
Second, when it is difficult to distinguish between high and low positions, the person with a high rank in a non-professional and technical position is responsible for commanding.
Note that the statute places special emphasis on "non-professional and technical ranks".
In fact, this is easy to understand, no matter what, after all, it is a combat unit, and the chiefs will not give it to colonels and lieutenant colonels who are professional in singing, dancing, or skilled in handling scalpels.
Therefore, with regard to the command relationship, the position is the primary determining factor, and only when it is impossible to distinguish between the high and low positions, the relationship between superiors and subordinates will be determined according to the level of military rank, and it can only be "non-professional and technical ranks".
Fourth, who said that you can't command troops without a military rank?
You can't command the troops without a military rank", this statement is too far-fetched, not to mention the world's best teams, let's just say that our people's army, military rank is not a panacea.
Since the Nanchang Uprising, our party had its own armed forces, until 1955, when the whole army conferred titles on a large scale, our army was in a war environment where the enemy was strong and we were weak.
The constant wars, coupled with the lack of military spending, made it impossible for our army to implement the "rank system" at that time.
At the same time, it is not uncommon for the commanders of our army to be disrupted due to the war.
However, our army did not fall into chaos because it did not implement the "rank system," but left behind countless good stories about overcoming opponents.
Far away, let's talk about a short story that happened in the southwest border in 1979.
The protagonist of the story is a group of middle-class ** people wearing six-five military uniforms and no military rank identification.
They were ordered to attack a military stronghold of the Vietnamese army, and due to the brutality of the fighting, a commando team had dozens of members, and when they attacked all the way to the stronghold, all the officers of the "four pockets" fell on the way to the charge.
A PLA honor guard who does not wear a military rank insignia.
At this time, a soldier of the "two pockets" volunteered to stand up: "I am the deputy squad leader of the seventh squad, everyone listen to my command!" ”
The fighters of the assault team immediately stabilized their positions, and under the leadership of the temporary commander, they remained calm and unhurried, continued to attack, and conquered the fortress built by the French army on time that the Japanese army had not been able to break.
There are many examples of wars like this, whether it was during the Agrarian Revolutionary War, the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, the War of Liberation, or the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea.
From weak to strong, he finally seized the world, and even defeated the world's "number one military power", and it was such a group of middle-class people who had no military rank and "no distinction between officers and soldiers" who created miracles.
Once upon a time, the PLA's "no distinction between officers and soldiers" was widely criticized by some people, and the "two pockets" and "four pockets" were ridiculed.
These people may have forgotten that "unanimity of officers and men" is precisely one of the heirlooms of our army's "invincibility and invincibility."
Facts speak louder than words, if you are interested, you can read the history of the People's Liberation Army, which has the most authoritative and complete answers.
Fifth, in the era when there were no military ranks, what did our army rely on to ensure the smooth and continuous command system?
This is to talk about a magic weapon of our army - "* people system".
Stills from the movie "Fanghua" Unforgettable 65-style military uniform.
What is the "** person system", let's give an example.
In the self-defense counterattack against Vietnam, a heroic company was born, and they were the "Heroic Company of Defending Mount Tai" that was awarded the collective first-class merit.
Before the battle began, the company determined the number of cadres at all levels, and there was only one purpose - to ensure that the company would not lose command due to cadres.
At the company's military meeting, the company commander and instructor announced the list of first-class people at all levels to the officers and men of the company, and asked the commanders and fighters to have a clear idea and keep it firmly in mind.
* The human system "is well thought out, very detailed, and almost flawless."
For example, if **everyone is gone**, who will take over the command?
The practice of our army is to have a commander appointed by the higher authorities on a temporary basis, or to call on all combatants to volunteer themselves and take over the command on their own accord.
This heroic company repelled 12 Vietnamese charges, killed 291 enemies, and firmly held its position, standing still.
The company commander died, and the first ** person 1 platoon commander immediately took over the command; After the death of the 1st platoon commander, the 2nd platoon commander immediately took over the command, the 2nd platoon commander was wounded and lost combat effectiveness, and the deputy company commander who came to the position later took over the command ......
The whole company has always maintained an orderly and good state, and has not lost its combat effectiveness at all because of the commander's leadership, so it has won the honorary title of "Guarding Like Mount Tai Hero Company".
Some people may question that the above examples have limitations, because the "** person system" is established in a company, and it is a "preset ** plan".
If the combatants do not belong to a unit and there is no rank to identify, who will command the troops?
In fact, this problem is simpler: if it is a temporary coordinated operation, the leaders of each coordinating unit will report their duties on their own, and the person with the highest position will be responsible for commanding it.
In extreme circumstances such as the absence of officers, the soldiers were also called upon to volunteer and temporarily assume command duties.
The history of our army's conquests over several decades can prove that the "* man system" is an effective and excellent method for ensuring the continuity of command.
Even after the restoration of the military rank system, the "* person system" continued to be used.
Sixth, military rank is not omnipotent!
On the other hand, the old opponents of our army for many years, except for irregular armed personnel such as the Returning Home Regiment, the Kuomintang implemented the "military rank system" very early.
According to statistics, in its heyday, the Kuomintang had several thousand first-class "generals" and countless colonels and lieutenants.
According to some people, with such a huge and complete "military rank system", coupled with the absolute superiority in equipment, the Kuomintang army should be "invincible and invincible".
The fact is that their command system is often vulnerable and can collapse at the slightest touch, whether it is their "rank system" that is the result of other factors, "everyone on earth knows".
History can prove: military ranks are not omnipotent!
Stills from the movie "Fanghua" The classic 65-style military uniform.
It is known that from 1965 to 1988, the "rank system" of our army was interrupted for several decades.
So, since "military rank is not omnipotent", why did our army restore the "rank system" in 1988?
On this issue, the Regulations on the Ranks of Officers of the Chinese People's Liberation Army explain very clearly:
The implementation of the "military rank system" is the need for the Chinese People's Liberation Army to deepen reform and is a sign that the People's Liberation Army is moving toward modernization and regularization.
The "military rank system" will also boost the development and reform of our army and achieve the goal of strengthening the army by obeying the party's command, being able to win battles, having a good work style, and being a world-class army!