As night fell, the breeze in the Red River valley scented with moist soil, as if to wash away all dust. However, in the midst of this tranquil natural landscape, tension on the border is like a taut string that can be touched at any moment. Late one night in 1982, the camp of the 2nd Garrison Division was brightly lit and an emergency meeting was underway. Liu Zhijun, a former college student at a prestigious university and now a veteran on the battlefield, sat in the conference room with his eyes like a torch.
Outside the conference room, the sound of infantry patrolling and the occasional radio brought the tension in the barracks to a creep. At such a moment when calm and precise decision-making is required, Liu's military career and his educational background give him a unique perspective. From jungle battles in Laos to border clashes with Vietnam, every test of life and death has tempered his will and tactical judgment.
In the conference room, an electronic map clearly shows every important location of the Red River border defense line on the screen. As the commander of the 2nd Garrison Division, Liu Zhijun is discussing possible tactical adjustments with his staff team. Their task is not only to secure borders, but also to ensure a quick and effective response to emergencies. Liu Zhijun knows that any decision may directly affect the direction of the battle situation, and every order he gives is related to the life and death of countless comrades-in-arms.
At this moment, an urgent piece of information was sent to him, indicating that the enemy might be planning a large-scale infiltration operation. The officer in front of him must work out a comprehensive defensive strategy in a short period of time. At this critical juncture, how will Liu's dual university degree and his military prowess in a high-pressure environment help him navigate the situation and protect his homeland?
Reference: "Double College Student Officer, First Went to Laos to Fight, Then Fought Back Against Vietnam, and Walked with the Motherland" -- Based on historical events and the true record of Liu Zhijun's military career, this article depicts the story of how an officer used his academic background and military experience to make tactical decisions in the context of a tense war.
Liu Zhijun's early education and background
In China in the mid-twentieth century, university education was one of the few elite education pathways, especially in the local elite schools, where educational resources were more scarce and precious. It was against this backdrop that Liu Zhijun completed his first period of study, graduating from a prestigious local university. Known for its rigorous academic standards and exceptional teaching quality, the university has produced many alumni who will go on to make significant contributions in the fields of science, education, and technology. Liu Zhijun's education during this period not only covered profound professional knowledge, but also included extensive humanities and social sciences education, which enabled him to form a solid theoretical foundation and a broad vision.
However, with the end of the "special decade", Liu Zhijun entered the highest university to continue his studies, which was very rare in those days.
In the spring of 1970, the needs of the state and the fate of the individual were intertwined. The notice of graduation assignment arrived, and Liu Zhijun was assigned to a field unit, which marked that he was about to embark on a new path. At that time, there was an urgent need for soldiers with higher education backgrounds who could improve the overall quality of the force and meet complex military challenges.
Join the Army: The Transition from Student to Soldier
After joining the field army, Liu Zhijun's daily life and environment have undergone fundamental changes. From the quiet bookish smell of the campus to the strict discipline and extreme simplicity of the barracks, the transition was not an easy one for anyone. His unit is located in a remote mountainous area, the infrastructure is poor, most of the officers and soldiers of the company are from the countryside, and the level of education is generally not high, which is a new challenge for Liu Zhijun, who has just graduated from university.
On the first day he arrived at the unit, Liu Zhijun received basic military training, which included the study of a series of basic military skills such as queue training, use of firearms, and tactical movements. Although he struggled with the physical program at first due to the lack of physical training, he did not back down and worked harder to adapt and improve. The company's daily training was very rigorous, waking up at 5 a.m. every day for a morning run and physical training, followed by a full day of technical and tactical training.
In addition to training, Liu Zhijun is also actively involved in the company's daily management and cultural activities planning. Due to his high level of education, the company's leadership often put him in charge of writing training plans and organizing recreational activities to improve the morale and cohesion of officers and soldiers. Through these activities, Liu Zhijun has developed strong friendships with his comrades, who can sing together, discuss books or share their life experiences when they are not training.
Especially at the theatrical evenings held by the company, Liu Zhijun often served as the host or performed programs, and his wisdom and talent made him very popular among officers and soldiers. In these common activities, Liu Zhijun's sincerity and efforts have been recognized and respected by everyone. He not only helped other comrades-in-arms learn cultural knowledge, but also often helped solve various practical problems encountered in the company, such as repairing equipment and optimizing daily work processes.
First combat experience: Laos fought abroad
Liu Zhijun went to Laos with the 11th Army Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion to participate in the war, which was an important stage in his military career. The moment the order to go out was received, the entire camp was enveloped in a tense and serious atmosphere. Equipment inspections, weapon allocation, and tactical arrangements became routine. Liu Zhijun and his comrades-in-arms were told that they would go to a strategic position to defend and support, which was undoubtedly a new challenge for Liu Zhijun, who had just stepped from the training ground into actual combat.
In the days leading up to departure, Liu Zhijun was busy with various preparations. He participated in several pre-war briefings to learn more about the upcoming terrain, enemy situation, and mission requirements. Each soldier was asked to check his or her equipment to confirm that communications equipment, weapons and personal protective equipment were in the best condition. These preparations are not only a check of supplies, but also a morale boost.
Liu Zhijun and his troops were then airlifted to a makeshift base in Laos. The base is located deep in the jungle, the surrounding environment is complex and the line of sight is limited, which puts forward higher requirements for the deployment and operation of the anti-aircraft artillery battalion. Liu Zhijun was responsible for the arrangement and operation of a squad of anti-aircraft guns, which required accurate calculations and quick reaction capabilities.
During the deployment, Liu Zhijun and his team members constantly adjusted their positions to get the best shooting angle and cover. They dug trenches, built camouflage nets, and set up perimeter cordons. At night, they take turns to stand guard in case of a night attack by the enemy. Every alarm made the soldiers nervous, and Liu Zhijun also grew rapidly in this high-intensity environment, moving from theoretical knowledge to practical application.
Shortly after the battle began, Liu Zhijun's anti-aircraft artillery battalion received an order to support the infantry unit. As the enemy's firepower increased, Liu Zhijun and his comrades needed to accurately calculate the firing parameters to ensure effective coverage of the firepower. In several hours of fierce firefighting, the anti-aircraft guns operated by Liu Zhijun successfully intercepted several air targets and protected the safety of friendly forces.
At the height of the battle, Liu Zhijun personally commanded the adjustment of firepower to cope with the change in maneuver of the enemy army. Despite the fierce fire, he and his team showed great professionalism and courage. During this operation, he experienced for the first time the responsibilities and challenges of being an artilleryman.
As the battle ended, Liu Zhijun and his troops withdrew to the base. Although the battle was only a partial and short-lived conflict, it was a valuable experience for Liu Zhijun. He not only tested his skills and courage in actual combat, but also completed the transformation from a student to a warrior in the baptism of fire and blood.
Long-term Frontier Defense: The Years of the Red River Frontier Line
During the decade from 1978 to 1987, Liu Zhijun held key positions in the 2nd Garrison Division on the Red River frontline, which became the most critical and brilliant stage of his military career. The 2nd Garrison Division was stationed along the Red River on the border with Vietnam, an area with complex terrain that was shrouded in the shadow of war for many years. As an important force in the border line, the 2nd Garrison Division is tasked with monitoring and defending against any potential cross-border conflicts, as well as maintaining stability and security along the border.
Liu Zhijun's responsibilities mainly involve tactical command and day-to-day troop management. He is responsible for the planning and execution of border control tasks, which include the setting up of listening posts and patrol routes to ensure a rapid response to any illegal cross-border activities. Under his leadership, the unit has continuously strengthened night patrols and border surveillance, effectively improving the vigilance and response speed of border guards.
Due to the changeable terrain of the Red River border defense line, Liu Zhijun often needed to personally reconnoiter the terrain to better deploy manpower and material resources. Together with topographic experts and veterans, he reviewed maps and conducted field surveys to determine the most suitable locations for fortification. These locations are often strategically important, such as covering important transportation arteries or natural obstacles, which are conducive to building a defensive system.
During the most tense period of the military standoff, Liu Zhijun commanded the 2nd Garrison Division to deal with many border conflicts. In every conflict, he was able to quickly organize a troop response, not just defensive in nature, but also in a precise counterattack. In these operations, Liu Zhijun demonstrated his excellent tactical command ability, accurately dispatching artillery and infantry to work together to ensure the security of the border.
In addition to direct combat command, Liu Zhijun also paid great attention to the training and morale of his soldiers. He regularly organizes tactical training and simulated exercises to improve the adaptability and reaction speed of officers and men to various battlefield situations. He personally participated in the exercises, instructing the soldiers on how to quickly maneuver in difficult terrain and how to maintain a solid position in night battles.
During the protracted standoff with Vietnam, the facilities and equipment of the 2nd Garrison Division were also significantly improved. Liu Zhijun promoted a number of technology and equipment upgrades, including the introduction of more advanced communication equipment and night vision equipment, which greatly improved the effectiveness of night operations. In addition, he advocated for a better logistical support system to ensure that frontline troops receive timely supplies and medical support.
Post-retirement impact and evaluation
Liu Zhijun's dual university background was a rare educational advantage in the military at the time, especially among senior officers above the division level. This background not only provides him with a wealth of theoretical knowledge, but also gives him the ability to solve complex problems, enabling him to perform well and make decisions in a variety of high-pressure environments.
The military environment of the 1980s was challenging, and the changing international and regional situation made the role of the military commander extremely critical. With his educational background and rich practical experience, Liu Zhijun has excelled in handling border conflicts and planning tactical operations. These contributions of his superiors were highly praised by his superiors and were mentioned many times in important meetings and documents as a model for good officers.
Under his leadership, the 2nd Garrison Division performed especially well on the Red River border line. His in-depth understanding of tactics and precise execution enabled the division to effectively defend and respond to a variety of border challenges. Liu Zhijun has always been at the forefront of the army in the application of new technologies and tactics, and has promoted the improvement of the unit's overall combat capability. These practical experiences and successful cases have become important highlights in his career, and have also earned him the reputation of "capable generals" in the army.
After retiring, this period of Liu Zhijun's military history became part of his personal legend. His experiences and achievements have been widely disseminated and discussed, serving as a case study in military academy education and training to educate the next generation of soldiers. His dual university background, particularly at the strategic and tactical levels, is seen as a bridge between theoretical learning and practical experience.
"Walking with the Motherland"