Exercises Modernization

An Army Training Base Closely Tracks Troop Talent Demands and Optimizes Training Organization Models

陆军某训练基地紧盯部队人才需求优化组训模式

PLA Daily (解放军报) 25 May 2026

Summary

An unnamed PLA Army training base has integrated UAV basic application—covering simulation, theory, and live-flight training—into its new recruit curriculum, using a civil-military instructor model to address what officer Dong Yang identifies as a persistent shortage of qualified UAV pilots (飞手) and long organic training cycles at grassroots units. The article documents a structural mismatch between recruit training pipelines and frontline UAV manpower demand, and records the base's institutional response: pushing UAV familiarization to the earliest point in a soldier's service rather than deferring it to unit-level training. This fits the broader PLA effort to embed 新域新质作战力量 concepts at the foundational training layer, extending that campaign into the recruit schoolhouse rather than limiting it to advanced or specialized courses.

Translation

An Army Training Base Closely Tracks Troop Talent Demands and Optimizes Training Organization Models — UAV Basic Application Enters New Recruit Classroom

PLA Daily News, reported by Liu Yu and Zhou Haojie: "Fine-adjust the roll angle, maintain a level attitude, avoid swaying left and right…" In early summer, inside the UAV specialist training room of an Army training base, several new recruits, under the guidance of their squad leader, practiced basic UAV operations using simulation software. This is a vivid example of the base closely tracking grassroots unit talent demands and optimizing the new recruit training model.

"Today, unmanned equipment plays an increasingly prominent role in training for war preparedness. We are moving with the tide, incorporating familiarization with UAVs and other new-domain, new-quality combat forces (新域新质作战力量) into the teaching plan, helping new recruits enhance their science and technology literacy and adapt to science and technology-based military training (科技练兵) from the very start of their service." Dong Yang, the officer responsible for the UAV instruction curriculum at the base, explained that previously their new recruit training was organized primarily around basic subjects, and the connection between professional skills instruction and grassroots unit demands was not sufficiently close. In recent years, the base has continuously optimized the new recruit training model, fully incorporating UAV basic application into the new recruit training system, helping new recruits learn and master UAV operating skills, and assisting grassroots units in resolving difficulties such as high demand for professional pilot (飞手) talent and long training cycles.

To ensure training quality and effectiveness, the base has coordinated military and civilian teaching resources and continuously refined and improved training plans: exploring and implementing a model of "focused theory instruction — simulation experience — live-flight training" to conduct tiered training organization; inviting experienced professional pilots to serve as instructors, providing new recruits with instruction and guidance grounded in training practice; and coordinating with local professional technical teams to accompany the unit throughout training for support, provide on-site instructional guidance, and promptly correct errors and deviations, helping new recruits thoroughly master knowledge points and build solid foundational skills.

"Gently advance the throttle — take off!" On the training ground, new recruit Lei Kaijie operated a UAV in a smooth ascent, passed through a series of different obstacles in sequence, and successfully completed his first live-flight training session. Witnessing this, base leadership stated that they will introduce a richer array of equipment and simulation software, continuously optimize the new recruit training plan, drive the integration of new-domain, new-quality combat force (新域新质作战力量) training throughout the entire new recruit training process, and deliver more talent to support troop combat effectiveness building.

Original Chinese

陆军某训练基地紧盯部队人才需求优化组训模式无人机基础应用进入新训课堂解放军报讯刘煜、周浩杰报道：“微调横滚角度、保持水平姿态、避免左右晃动……”初夏，陆军某训练基地无人机专修室内，数名新兵在班长指导下，利用模拟软件练习无人机基础操作。这是该基地紧盯基层部队人才需求，优化新兵训练模式的生动事例。 “如今，无人装备在练兵备战中的作用越来越突出，我们顺势而为，将熟悉无人机等新域新质作战力量纳入教学计划，帮助新兵在‘兵之初’提升科技素养、适应科技练兵。”该基地无人机教学课目负责人董洋介绍，以往他们组织新兵训练多以基础课目为主，专业技能教学与基层部队需求衔接不够紧密。近年来，该基地持续优化新兵训练模式，将无人机基础应用全面纳入新兵训练体系，帮助新兵学习掌握无人机操作技巧，助力基层部队破解专业飞手人才需求多、培训周期长等难题。为确保培训质效，该基地统筹军地教学资源，不断细化完善训练方案：探索推行“理论精讲—模拟体验—实飞训练”的模式，开展阶梯式组训；邀请经验丰富的专业飞手担任教员，结合练兵实践为新兵授课辅导；对接地方专业技术团队来队全程跟训保障、现场指导教学、及时纠偏纠错，帮助新兵吃透知识点、练好基本功。 “轻推油门，起飞！”训练场上，新兵雷凯杰操作无人机平稳升空，依次通过不同障碍，顺利完成首次实飞训练。看到这一幕，该基地领导表示，他们将引入更加丰富的装备和模拟软件，持续优化新训方案，推动新域新质作战力量训练融入新训全程，为部队战斗力建设输送更多人才。