For a young Chinese college student five years ago, deciding to join the military would have taken a lot of courage.
五年前，对于中国的年轻大学生们而言，参军入伍需要很大的勇气。
But today, joining the military has become an increasingly popular choice for students. This is due to the demand for advanced talents in the military and new policies encouraging students to join the army.
然而时至今日，参军入伍日渐成为学生们的热门选择。这是因为军队对高新人才的渴求，以及鼓励学生参军的新政策的出台。
Zhou Chengchen, 24, a graduate student majoring in finance at the University of Nottingham Ningbo China, passed the physical checkup of the conscription process early this month.
24岁的周成晨（音译）就读于宁波诺丁汉大学金融专业，本月初他已顺利通过了征兵体检。
“I hope to strengthen both my body and mind through intense drills. Also, I’m not worried about resuming my studies if I leave,” he said. “I regard joining the army a good career path.”
他说：“我希望通过高强度训练来增强体魄。一旦离开学校后，我也不必为耽误学业而担忧。我把参军入伍当做一条不错的职业之路。”
Zhou is not the only student to have turned his eyes to military camps.
将目光投向军营的并非只有周成晨一人。
As modern warfare and military tactics involve increasingly complex technology and maneuvers, maintaining modern troops requires well-educated talents to operate complicated equipment.
由于现代战争与战术愈发地涉及到一些复杂技术以及军事演习，这样一来要保持现代军队的实力，就需要一批受过良好教育的人才来操控这些复杂的设备。
According to Beijing’s conscription office, compared with 2001 – the first year Beijing began to enroll university students in the army - the ratio of university recruits has risen from 0.1 percent to 60 percent.
北京市政府征兵办公室表示，与北京市首次征召在校大学生入伍的2001年相比，大学生士兵所占征集兵员比例已从0.1%上升至60%。
“A bachelor’s or higher degree can help you get through the application process. Your knowledge in a particular area may prove to be invaluable,” said Song Xiepeng, deputy director of the conscription office in Beijing.
北京市征兵办公室副主任宋协鹏表示：“拥有本科及以上学历可有助于你成功通过申请流程。具备特定领域的知识可能会变成无价之宝。”
For instance, according to Song, those studying languages can play a big role, as communication between the militaries of different countries is vital. Those studying telecommunications or electronics are also in demand, as both will be key areas of competition in the future.
宋协鹏举例说道，由于各国军队之间的交流至关重要，因此语言类专业的学生们便可以发挥很大的作用；而通讯或电子专业的学生也十分走俏，因为二者都将成为未来军事竞赛的关键领域。
Song suggested that students join the army after they finish the second year of their university course.
宋协鹏建议，学生可以完成大学二年级的学业后参军入伍。
“It is a worthwhile experience that broadens your horizon,” said Song. “This approach allows you more time to consider your career options and whether to join the army or not.”
宋协鹏说：“这是段可以开阔个人视野的宝贵经历。这种方式让你有充足的时间来考虑自己职业选择以及是否参军。”
Wang Hai, 19, a sophomore majoring in machinery electronics at Chongqing Vocational Institute of Engineering, was thrilled when the army came to his university especially to recruit students from his major.
19岁的王海（音译）是来自重庆工程职业学院机电专业的大二学生。当部队来到他的学校对机电专门实施特招时，他十分激动。
“My family supported my decision to join the army, which let my childhood dream come true,” Wang said.
“家人们支持我参军的决定，我童年的梦想最终成真。”王海说。
In order to attract high quality talents into the army, graduate recruits are put on an accelerated promotion and pay scheme.
为吸引更多的高素质人才入伍，大学生新兵们可以享受提前晋升以及薪酬制度。
According to a policy released by the State Council and the Central Military Commission in 2009, up to 24,000 yuan of a student’s tuition fees will be reimbursed once they join the army. Furthermore, graduate students may quickly be promoted to the rank of sergeant.
按照国务院、中央军委发布的2009年冬季征兵政策规定，一旦入伍最高可获得由国家补偿的2.4万元学费。此外，毕业生们可能很快就会晋升士官。
Students planning a military career may also receive additional benefits, such as financial assistance from local governments. For instance, in Chongqing’s Shapingba district, student recruits receive an in-service allowance of 350 yuan per month, which continues for two years after they retire from service.
那些计划开始军旅生涯的学生们还能获得额外的福利待遇，例如由当地政府提供的经济资助。比如，在重庆沙坪坝区，大学生新兵每月能得到350元军贴，直到退伍后这项紧贴仍将持续发放两年时间。
In Shanghai, university students can apply for a Shanghai hukou (household registration) after they leave and are given priority for civil service positions.
在上海，大学生退伍后可以申请本地户口，并且在申报公务员岗位是享受优先待遇。
Lai Jinliang, 29, served in the air force for seven years before being transferred to civilian work in Guangxi. “For the most part, being in the army is about learning new skills, discipline, motivation and other personal qualities through which I can improve myself,” Lai said.
29岁的赖静亮（音译）曾在空军当了7年的兵，后来专业到了广西某单位。“在很多情况下，参军意味着学习新技能、纪律、动力以及其他个人品质，并通过这些来提升自我。”赖静亮说道。