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A recent photo of Zhao Wenjingrui. Photo by Jiao Zilai

These words are also what I really think. When I returned home during the winter vacation, my mother saw that I had become thinner and had many scars on my body, and tears suddenly flowed out. But when she heard me say, "I still have to write an application for border defense in the future," my mother wiped away her tears and looked at me and said, "No matter what you choose, I support you." At that moment, I became more determined to pursue my dream.

During this year's graduation season, I saw the border defense applications written by my seniors. I was so excited and moved that I also wrote my own border defense application. During that time, there were some voices on the Internet saying "I am afraid of hardship and unwilling to make sacrifices" and "I only want to stay in big cities and don't want to go to difficult areas." Someone asked me: Why did you, a girl, choose to go to such a difficult place?

In my opinion, this commitment and choice is not a whim, nor is it a casual discussion. At present, some people have some prejudice against the "post-00s". As a young person, especially a military student in the new era, I deeply feel that only by closely combining personal goals with the needs of the motherland can we better realize our personal values.

A few years ago, when I was still in high school, after learning about the advanced deeds of the heroic groups defending the country and guarding the border in the new era, I was moved to tears: "Some of them are about the same age as me, but they use their bodies as boundary markers to defend the beautiful rivers and mountains of the motherland. I want to be like them!" From then on, a seed of yearning to defend the country and guard the border was planted in my heart.

In 2022, I was admitted to the Army Border and Coastal Defense College, taking the first step towards realizing my dream. When I first entered the military academy, I found it difficult to adapt to the fast-paced military life and high-intensity military training. I remember that during a march during the new training, I saw one of my toenails was worn off, and tears immediately welled up in my eyes.

After the training, the training became more difficult and the military subjects became more challenging. Faced with the difficult subjects, I was a little discouraged and could only set the standard at the passing line.

The change happened during an education class. We watched precious videos of the frontline struggle. The heroic struggle of the border guards in the video deeply shocked me, and I was suddenly filled with the spirit of overcoming all difficulties.

"The campus is not like the frontier, and we cannot be flowers in a greenhouse." During the after-class discussion, I asked myself, I will also be marching on the border and coastal defense line of the motherland in the future. As a new platoon leader, can my ability and quality adapt to the needs of the position? Can I complete the mission and tasks entrusted by the Party and the people? A sense of urgency arises spontaneously.

Tempering starts with physical fitness. Only by strengthening the physical fitness foundation and maintaining good body functions can we better adapt to the harsh environment of border defense. Under the guidance and inspiration of the "steel nail" spirit of the college, "never rust, never retreat, never deviate, never loosen", I demanded more of myself, spent less time in the dormitory, and more time in the training ground and gymnasium. The running training gradually increased from 3,000 meters to 8,000 meters and 10,000 meters... Constantly struggling, my body has added scars, but it also made me lose my arrogance and add some heroism and courage.

The stars will not let down the roader. In the physical fitness assessment of the freshman semester, I achieved excellent results in all subjects, was rated as an excellent student with "four qualities" and won a commendation, and also served as a squad leader. With the help of the team cadres, I continue to expand and strengthen my abilities and qualities. Last year, I passed the selection and represented the Army in the popular science explanation competition of the People's Liberation Army and the Armed Police Force, and won the third prize.

"Have you ever worried about going to the frontier?" "No worries! No matter how hard it is to guard the border, someone has to guard it, and I am willing to be that person!" Not long ago, in the discussion on "New Era Struggle Outlook" organized by the college, I went on stage to share my feelings and experiences with everyone. My comrades-in-arms all resonated with me and expressed the same ideals and aspirations. One day in the future, when we patrol the border and coastal defense lines of our motherland, no matter how rugged the mountain roads are or how biting the sea breeze is, every step we take must be sonorous and powerful, and we will never retreat.

(Compiled by Niu Yun and People's Liberation Army Daily reporter Liu Min)

Liberation Army Daily WeChat release