Special Forces: From the very beginning, I can upgrade the entry

The crisp morning air bit at the soldiers’ faces as Captain Miao regarded Lin Yi with a gaze that seemed to pierce right through him.
“I can tell you’re different from that stubborn ox, Zhuang Yan. You’ve got your head screwed on straight,” Miao began, his voice carrying an unspoken weight. “You’ve got a strong sense of belonging here, in the army. More than that—you want to make something bigger out of it.”
Miao’s eyes narrowed thoughtfully. “But the Night Tiger Reconnaissance Company might be too small a pond for someone like you. Don’t forget, though, Night Tiger is one of the top spearhead units in the entire regiment, perhaps even the whole army.”
He paused, then continued, “In our military, there are strict requirements for promotions. For a non-commissioned officer to become a junior officer, they must attend an entry-level command school. Only under special circumstances can someone skip this step—like being selected for special forces training.”
At this, Lin Yi’s eyes lit up. Of course he understood. Rising through the ranks from private to non-commissioned officer was straightforward enough for exceptional soldiers. But moving beyond that—to sergeant or even to officer status—was another story entirely, each path strictly defined.
For a sergeant, advancing might mean attending a specialized NCO academy for intensive training before returning to the field. For an officer, the route required attending a military academy—such as the Army Officers’ Academy. A second-class merit award, like the one offered to the top soldier in the upcoming All-Army Competition, could be the key to accelerating this process. And if he passed the special forces selection afterward, the traditional pathway could be bypassed altogether.
Special forces operated under different rules, given their grueling demands and unique mission profiles. For them, it wasn’t unheard of to receive a commission before completing formal schooling.
“Captain,” Lin Yi ventured cautiously, “are you suggesting that I represent Night Tiger in the All-Army Competition this year?”
Miao shook his head, a hint of a smile playing at his lips. “No. To be precise, you’ll represent the entire 8th Regiment.”
He continued, “News of today’s events will reach the military district headquarters. They’re already selecting outstanding recruits for the competition. I want you to seize this chance.”
“Yes, sir!” Lin Yi responded sharply, a glimmer of ambition in his eyes.
Zheng Sanpao, standing nearby, looked utterly floored.
. Even Zheng himself had only ever participated as part of a team, never solo.
Chen Guotao, the first platoon leader, suddenly interjected. “Lin Yi, I heard you’ve been helping Xiwa study high school subjects lately. Mind telling us why?”
All eyes turned toward Lin Yi, curiosity palpable. Even Miao and Zheng Sanpao seemed intrigued.
“Of course,” Lin Yi replied smoothly. “The Gulf War in 1990 showed us the true face of modern, information-based warfare. Since then, our country has pursued aggressive military reforms, especially in composite forces.”
He continued, his voice calm and clear, “Our military has evolved from traditional ground combat to multidimensional, integrated strike capabilities. From single-force structures to multi-force, integrated units. We’ve moved from isolated, behind-enemy-lines operations to comprehensive, mobile warfare across all territories.”
“The traditional branches have transformed into composite units, incorporating over twenty specialized branches—artillery, aviation, missile troops, and special reconnaissance forces among them. This evolution has made our military more versatile and adaptive in complex combat environments.”
Lin Yi’s tone grew more intense. “I believe the pace of our military’s transformation will only accelerate. Soon, composite brigades and battalions will become the backbone of our military. These new units—heavy, light, airborne, mountain, amphibious—will integrate seamlessly into our combat systems, combining real-time intelligence, rapid adaptability, and multi-dimensional capabilities.”
He glanced at Miao and Chen Guotao, noting their thoughtful expressions.
“With these changes, the demands on our personnel will rise. Education might not be everything, but knowledge is crucial. In the past, the army was lenient about educational backgrounds—having just a middle school diploma was enough.”
“But not anymore. With modernization and information warfare becoming the norm, whether a soldier or a commander, everyone needs to be equipped with relevant skills and knowledge.”
His gaze sharpened. “I’m sure both of you have noticed how special forces selections are increasingly favoring candidates with a broader educational background.”
Captain Miao and Chen Guotao exchanged glances, clearly impressed. Lin Yi’s words resonated with them, aligning perfectly with the broader changes sweeping through the military.
Zheng Sanpao, however, looked uneasy. “Platoon Leader?” he muttered, almost pleadingly. “I only have a middle school education…”
Chen Guotao nodded sympathetically. “In special forces, aside from physical and combat assessments, there’s a written test too. Most of it’s based on high school-level subjects like physics and geography.”
Zheng’s face fell, his hopes visibly dimming.
Lin Yi stepped in, his voice steady and encouraging. “In our country, a self-study diploma holds the same legal weight as a full-time degree. It’s widely recognized for jobs, further education, and professional certifications.”
He explained, “Every January and July, you can register for the self-study exams online, pay the fee, and take the tests. Pass them, and you’ll receive a diploma. With a high school diploma, you could be recommended for advancement to senior sergeant and sent to an NCO academy for training.”
Zheng’s eyes brightened, a flicker of hope rekindling. “You really think it’s possible?”
“If Xiwa can do it, so can you,” Lin Yi replied confidently. He saw potential in Zheng Sanpao—potential that could make him a valuable ally in the special forces.
Zheng straightened, determination hardening his features. “Alright! I’ll do it!”
Miao and Chen Guotao shared a knowing look. Lin Yi wasn’t just thinking about himself—he was already building his team.