In 1989, as a young soldier, I had just stepped through the barracks doors. At that time, I was full of infinite longing and yearning for the army, and my heart burned with a stream of blood, eager to make contributions in the barracks. I was assigned to a company with a glorious tradition, and my immediate supervisor was a veteran named Li Qiang.
Squad leader Li Qiang is a legendary figure in the company, he not only has excellent military skills, but also integrity, and is deeply respected by the soldiers. I was full of admiration for him and determined to be a soldier like him. However, squad leader Li Qiang was very strict with the recruits, and he always used the most demanding standards to train us, which made us recruits suffer.
I remember that on the first day I arrived at the company, squad leader Li Qiang gave us a dismissal. He made us carry heavy gear on our backs and do a 10km trail run. Many of the recruits were exhausted and out of breath, but I gritted my teeth and persevered. I know that if you want to be a good soldier, you must endure hardships and be tired.
In the following days, I received rigorous training from Li Qiang's squad leader. He taught us how to use various weapons, how to cooperate tactically, and how to survive in the wild. Under his teaching, I gradually grew into a qualified soldier. However, I also discovered a shortcoming of Li Qiang's squad leader, that is, he always likes to put on an official show, even in private, he always looks high.
I have complained about this to other veterans in private, but they told me that Li Qiang's squad leader is such a person, he is very strict with himself, and he is equally strict with his subordinates. They advised me not to care too much, as long as I did my job well, squad leader Li Qiang would naturally be impressed by me.
I followed the advice of the veterans and continued to train hard to improve my military skills. Gradually, I became the leader of the company, and squad leader Li Qiang began to look at me differently. He stopped putting on a show of me like he used to, and started treating me like a veteran, which made me very proud.
Time flies like a white horse, and in the blink of an eye, I spent several springs and autumns in the barracks. During this period, I have experienced countless tests and challenges, and I have also achieved a lot of achievements and honors. I grew from an ordinary soldier to an excellent non-commissioned officer, and finally was promoted to platoon commander.
However, just when my career was booming, squad leader Li Qiang received an order to change jobs. He was leaving the barracks and going back to work. I am happy for Li Qiang's squad leader, but at the same time, I am a little reluctant. After all, it was he who single-handedly trained me to become a qualified soldier.
On the day squad leader Li Qiang left the barracks, my comrades-in-arms and I held a simple farewell ceremony for him. We salute him and pay him the highest respect. With tears in his eyes, squad leader Li Qiang waved goodbye to us, and at that moment, I felt deep reluctance.
After Li Qiang's squad leader left, I took over his squad and became the new squad leader of the company. I continued to uphold his teachings, train my soldiers strictly, and be strict with myself. Under my leadership, the overall quality of the company has improved significantly, and I have been commended by my superiors for this.
However, just when my career was in full swing, I unexpectedly met Li Qiang, the squad leader, at a local event. He has transferred to work in the local government and has become a civil servant. I thought that after leaving the barracks, squad leader Li Qiang would put down his official position and become more approachable. However, what disappointed me is that he still likes to put on an official show and like to put on a high posture as before.
I tried to communicate with Li Qiang's squad leader, but he always looked like he was ignoring, which made me feel very embarrassed. I don't understand, why did squad leader Li Qiang become like this, did he forget that he was once a soldier and forgot the true colors of a soldier?
Although I was disappointed by the behavior of Li Qiang's squad leader, I did not give up my relationship with him. I know that he used to be an excellent soldier, and he must still retain the true character of a soldier in his bones. I decided to use my actions to influence him and make him regain his former self.
I began to take the initiative to contact squad leader Li Qiang and invite him to participate in some activities in the barracks, so that he could relive the life in the barracks. I also introduced to him some new changes and achievements in the barracks, so that he could feel the warmth and care of the barracks.
With my efforts, squad leader Li Qiang's attitude has changed somewhat. He began to take the initiative to communicate with me and ask me about the situation in the barracks. He even offered to visit the barracks regularly to visit his old comrades-in-arms, which touched me.
However, Li Qiang's squad leader's official frame has still not been completely put down. On some formal occasions, he still likes to put on a high-minded appearance, which gives me a headache. I know that it is very difficult to completely change a person's character. But I also know that as long as I don't give up, one day, squad leader Li Qiang will completely let go of his official frame and regain his former self.
I continued to work hard and worked hard to influence Li Qiang's squad leader. Under my influence, the soldiers of the company also began to respect Li Qiang's squad leader and learn from him. They know that squad leader Li Qiang used to be an excellent soldier, and he has the true character and spirit of a soldier.
I firmly believe that as long as we, the soldiers, can uphold the true qualities of the soldiers and inherit the spirit of the soldiers, our army will certainly be able to continue to grow and develop, and our country will certainly be able to prosper.
As the days passed, so did my position in the barracks. From platoon commander to company commander, then to battalion commander, and finally promoted to regiment commander. I led the troops, completed mission after mission, and won victory after victory. I am proud of the achievements of the troops, and I am proud of my efforts.
However, just when my career was in full swing, I received a news that shocked me very much: Li Qiang, the squad leader, passed away due to illness. I can't believe it's true, the squad leader Li Qiang, who once trained me strictly and used to fight side by side with me, left us like this.
I attended the memorial service for squad leader Li Qiang, and I felt deep grief when I looked at his familiar face. I remembered the days we had spent together, his strictness, his integrity, his official position. I suddenly understood that those so-called official frames were actually the true colors and spirit of squad leader Li Qiang as a soldier.
I bowed deeply to squad leader Li Qiang and paid him the highest respect. I vow to pass on the spirit of Li Qiang's squad leader and his true character as a soldier. I want all soldiers to know that no matter where we go, no matter what we do, we are a soldier, and we have to remain a soldier.
Since then, I have been more demanding of myself and training my soldiers more rigorously. I have led the troops, won one honor after another, and made my own contribution to the security and development of the country. I know that this is the best commemoration of squad leader Li Qiang and the best tribute to all soldiers.