MEET THE MEN WHO GIVE NATION'S AIRCRAFT CARRIERS A CUTTING EDGE

Dedicated team ensures maritime forces, jet fighters ready for rapid deployment

Command Master Chief Petty Officer Zhou Xiaoyong recalled that 26 years ago when he made up his mind to enlist in the People's Liberation Army, his father strongly opposed the decision.

"He didn't want me to become a soldier," said the 45-year-old native of Hubei province.

"I had just graduated from a local vocational school at that time and since I learned skills to be used at hydropower plants, I was told by the school that I would be given a job at the water conservancy bureau of a neighboring county. That was a decent job in my hometown.