China's military colleges have been ordered to carry out drug and
psychological tests when recruiting would-be military officials.
A set of new recruitment rules was released by the headquarters of China's
People's Liberation Army (PLA) on Sunday, affirming the military's high standard
in training officials.
The recruitment added urine test for drugs for the first time as an
increasing number of young Chinese are taking drugs and some find hard to quit,
said a publicity official with the army who did not give his name.
Meanwhile, applicants to the military colleges have to take a psychological
test, which includes a written exam and an interview, said Miao Danmin,
professor with the psychology research institute of the Forth PLA Medical
College.
Applicants for military strategy majors should finish 700 to 800 questions in
a one-hour written exam, while applicants for technology majors should finish
400 to 500, before being granted an interview, said Miao, whose institute
designed the whole psychological tests.
"The army has specific requirements for its officials with regard to
personality and mental health. The test will help teenagers make the right
decision," Miao said, advising the applicants not to be too nervous about the
exam.
"They might fail the test as they are not suitable for the military but they
can probably do better in other trades," Miao said.
According to the new rules, teens wearing fashionable tattoos will also be
barred from entering the military schools.
"Tattoos will tarnish the military's image, even the scars of removed
tattoos," said Li Chunming, a military health official with PLA's logistics
headquarters.
Li said only tattoos following the traditions of ethnic minorities can be
accepted if the figures are not too prominent in summer shorts.
He said another recruitment qualification change was that heavy snoring will
also be banned from military schools.
The new rules also made a few changes on the physical and health conditions
of the applicants.