How much does PLA soldier's individual equipment cost? (6)

Old soldier's new suit

Wang Fujian recently joined a "large-scale collaborative exercise" in Ningxia organized by a PLA Military Area Command (MAC), which is his farewell to the army.

For this time, Wang Fujian is sure that he would not be as awkward as when he was a recruit in that emergency muster. He will not have to worry about the rope of his big underpants which would loosen suddenly but could never be untied when he wants to answer the call of nature. Now the soldiers have put on more comfortable and breathable underpants which, above all, have the elastic cord.

He no longer has to worry that his knapsack which is packed in a hurry would abruptly break up during a rapid march. Though the new knapsack still has some way to go before it meets the body mechanics requirements, at least there are no a dozen of ropes which tie him like a zongzi (a traditional Chinese rice-pudding).

All he gets is 4 ropes, which are for the canteen, gas mask, gun belt and haversack respectively. At the bottom of the knapsack is the raincoat which not only prevents bedclothes getting wet, but also can be used as the chemical-proof suit.

At the outer side of Wang Fujian's knapsack are two pockets in which slippers and rubber shoes are put. On the two sides of the body are the haversack, canteen and gas mask.

The combat serviceable items are at the right side due to actual combat consideration, and fortunately Wang Fujian is not a lefty. The canteen has changed its appearance three times over the past 16 years, but still has no straw, which means soldiers still have to keep their heads up to drink water, and that gives away their positions more easily.

New camouflage clothing, new haversack, new helmet, new weapon, new ammunition carrier, new army boots... everything is new at the end of the army life, except for Wang Fujian himself.

For now, he is the oldest soldier in the company. The company commander in front of him who graduated from a military academy only four years ago may be considered as a "recruit", as compared with him who has served the army for 16 years.

Fully armed, Wang Fujian's whole body from the inside out is of the military quality and worth about 9,387 yuan (US$1525.39). He has to lead other 7 soldiers to keep up with the troop, because his helmet is not equipped with the micro radio equipment, speaker or earphone like that of an U.S. soldier.

There are no radio sets either. For the whole company, there are only two radio sets which are used by the company commander and political instructor to keep in touch with the higher authority. Up to this day, "communication basically relies on yelling", just like the situation 16 years ago, only that it is a childish recruit who yells this time.

Even an 80-yuan compass can not be found inside Wang Fujian's pocket. Only few people in the squad have such compass. The antitank grenade, which costs 380 yuan each, is not deployed on a large scale because it is used only in actual combats. In the command post behind him is the only one night-vision device, and he looks as if he has nothing on as a result of the optical effect.

There is still a long list of what he hasn't got: glare flashlight, night-vision device, wireless communication equipment, knee pad, elbow pad, exercise and training bag, bulletproof underpants, silencer, optical sight…