"You are a Korean officer!"
After studying Italian in Perugia International Studies University for 8 months, I got an "A" and transferred to the Italian Air Force War College (SGA). I remember that on the first day of reporting to SGA, I wore a camouflage uniform specially issued by the General Staff for people going abroad. When I walked into the dining room, many curious Italian officers began to guess my nationality and whispered, some said Japanese, others said Korean, because only officers from these two Asian countries had studied in SGA before. Then an Italian officer came up to me and said, "You are a Korean officer!" " "I didn't answer, just smiled, and another one came over and said," It must be from the Japanese Self-Defense Force. " I said to both of them, "You are all wrong. I am an Air Force Lieutenant Colonel from People's Republic of China (PRC). " After listening to my words, they both looked surprised. Indeed, in their view, it is inconceivable that officers who are socialist China can come to their Air Force colleges to participate in intermediate training, which is also the first time in the history of the Italian Air Force War College.
At that moment, I couldn't help but think of the request of the head of the headquarters and the teaching of the college leaders at the farewell party before going abroad. In front of foreign troops, I represent China soldiers and China Air Force. It was also at that moment that I felt the great responsibility on my shoulders. I silently told myself: we should strive for perfection in life and work! I want Italian soldiers studying in SGA and officers from other countries to know and understand the image of contemporary China Air Force officers from me.
Learning is like going through a "war"
Due to the short academic system and many contents, the training intensity of the Italian military academy during the school period is very strong. Classes begin at 7: 55 every morning and there are six classes in the morning. /kloc-I didn't have lunch until 0: 30. Lunch time is 45 minutes, there is no lunch break in the middle, and then there is afternoon class. Self-study is not arranged during normal class hours, and homework, preview and review must be completed in the evening or even on weekends. In the words of Italian officers, "studying at the Air Force War College is like going through a war". Domestic students all have this feeling, and it is conceivable that the study pressure and tension of international students. My feeling in SGA is that I don't have enough time, and my spirit is always in a state of tension. I am really sleepy at night. I use cold water, cool oil and essential oil, and I am used to drinking espresso. One day, the assistant military attache in Italy asked me: what is the first thing you want to do after returning home? I said, if possible, I will sleep for three days and nights.
Go through a "marathon" exam
SGA's intermediate training graduation examination is extremely strict, which is divided into two parts: comprehensive written examination and oral examination. The comprehensive written test includes the main contents learned and its comprehensive application, which lasts for 8 hours. At lunch, Italian soldiers bring bread and coffee to the classroom, and there is no specified time for eating. Candidates can eat whenever they want, but they can't leave their seats without a break. This is also the longest exam I have ever experienced. Take the comprehensive written test first, and those who fail the comprehensive written test will be eliminated, which means that all previous efforts are in vain and no longer take the oral test. The oral defense is led by the General Staff of the Italian Air Force and the Logistics Department of the Air Force, and the defense committee is composed of the presidents of the Air Force War College. Everyone gives a comprehensive reply to the basic quality, knowledge and application ability as well as the papers written. After the defense, each candidate only needs to wait for ten minutes. The defense committee will make a comprehensive evaluation result soon, and those who pass will be signed by the dean on the spot and issued a diploma. My comprehensive written test and oral test scores were 17.83 and17.33 respectively (the average score of six judges was 20 points), which was excellent among all foreign military officers and those who cared about their own country. The Committee expressed warm congratulations on the spot. Colonel Vera, head of the department, said, "I hope all future China officers will be as good as you." I replied, "They are better than me!"
Junbao helped us fight Confucianism.
The Italian Air Force War College adopts a combination of indoctrination and discussion in teaching. For basic theory and professional technology courses, it is basically taught by teachers and instilled by students. Military specialized courses are mainly seminar-style. In class, three or four teachers often speak on the podium at the same time, taking turns to answer students' questions according to their own expertise, which is somewhat similar to the form of "answering reporters' questions"; In academic discussions, everyone is equal regardless of rank, and students can ask questions, express their opinions and question teachers' opinions at any time. Sometimes, even teachers and students argue fiercely. For example, the NATO bombing of our embassy in Yugoslavia was discussed in class. At first, many people thought it was a "mistaken bombing" because the purpose was unclear, that is, why did Americans take such a big risk to bomb the embassy in China? At this time, I took the information extracted from the People's Liberation Army Daily as an argument and proved that this was a planned and premeditated military action with a large number of facts. In the face of the facts, everyone finally thought that the theory of "mistaken bombing" could not be established.
"China's army is a first-class army."
In SGA, Italian soldiers are well trained and their shirts are changed every day. In order to coordinate, I asked my wife to send five military shirts from China, and I asked myself to do better than them. When meeting with department leaders, take the initiative to salute or say hello according to the habits of China soldiers, and be polite to the staff. Slowly, I established a good image of a China soldier with my own practical actions, and won their respect for the China Air Force. A few days before I left SGA, people came and went in the dormitory, some sent souvenirs, exchanged gifts, some asked for a group photo, some asked me to leave my contact address and so on. , really reluctant. An old sergeant major who worked in SGA canteen for nearly 30 years insisted on inviting me to the bar for coffee, but I had to go. When drinking coffee, he said to me, "I have received officers from many countries in Europe, America and Africa here, and it was you who left an impression on me." I have reason to believe that China's army is absolutely first-class. "