The Third Company is also known as the "grassland party branch." Li Yusheng, then-deputy company commander, gathered 28 injured and sick soldiers and established a temporary party branch while traversing through the grassland during the Long March in autumn of 1935. The soldiers finally made it out of the grassland safely. And the "no one gets left behind" spirit has expanded into the peace time.

Soldiers make a solemn vow in front of the "soldiers pass grassland" statue. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Two soldiers transferred from the artillery regiment wanted to leave the company as they were finding the training difficult in 2013, and some suggested to the commander that the two "burdens" should be let go; however, the suggestion was unanimously opposed at the branch committee. "A soldier in Third Company for a day is its man for a lifetime." The company then specially designed a progress plan and created training packages for the two soldiers and assisted them in becoming the stars of the future.

Soldiers undergo training. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]