{"id":45399,"date":"2021-09-01T20:58:02","date_gmt":"2021-09-01T20:58:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/uncategorized\/2021\/09\/01\/the-army-wants-soldiers-to-get-smart-on-chinas-military-structure-and-tactics\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T03:32:44","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T03:32:44","slug":"the-army-wants-soldiers-to-get-smart-on-chinas-military-structure-and-tactics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/news\/your-army\/2021\/09\/01\/the-army-wants-soldiers-to-get-smart-on-chinas-military-structure-and-tactics\/","title":{"rendered":"The Army wants you to get smart on China\u2019s military structure and tactics"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Army released a brand-new comprehensive \u2014 and unclassified \u2014 assessment of China\u2019s military strategy, structure, capabilities and tactics in early August.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cChinese Tactics,\u201d the new Army Techniques Publication 7-100.3<\/a>, is part of a series of publications that aim to provide updated unclassified assessments of the tactics and capabilities utilized by potential U.S. adversaries in combat. The Army released a manual on North Korean tactics earlier last year, and Army officials have said there are similar guides forthcoming<\/a> that analyze Russia and Iran\u2019s tactics as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhile some of the material is also in other U.S. Government publications, these manuals are unique in the level of detail they provide,\u201d explained Jennifer Dunn, a senior Army Training and Doctrine Command intelligence analyst, in an article discussing the publications. \u201cThese assessments are based on the most up-to-date information available. Subject matter experts within the Department of Defense and intelligence communities have vetted them, ensuring their veracity and applicability to the greater Army training and intelligence community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 252-page document \u201cserves as a foundation for understanding how Chinese ground force think and act in tactical operations,\u201d its preface says. Army writers compiled it from intelligence products, translated Chinese military doctrine and other sources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

China\u2019s operational approach and capabilities<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The driving principle of China\u2019s warfighting philosophy is one of \u201cactive defense,\u201d the manual says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is \u201ca fundamentally defensive political and strategic stance,\u201d the authors explain, but one \u201cenabled \u2014 when required \u2014 by operational and tactical offense.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

People\u2019s Liberation Army thought has evolved in recent years to acknowledge that China \u201cmay have to become involved in local or regional conflicts in order to maintain the regional or international economic order, protect the CPC, or otherwise support Chinese economic or political interests.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A
A photo taken Jan. 4, 2021, shows Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) soldiers taking part in military training at Pamir Mountains in Kashgar, northwestern China’s Xinjiang region. (AFP via Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Chinese Armed Forces include the PLA, plus two paramilitary components: the People\u2019s Armed Police, responsible mainly for internal security, and the China Militia, a loosely-organized strategic reserve of \u201cpoorly trained and equipped part-time regional military units.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The publication explains that the PLA and China Militia have been downsizing somewhat for decades in pursuit of modernization \u2014 a \u201cquality over quantity\u201d approach \u2014 while not sacrificing the massive manpower advantage that drives PLA tactics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The report highlights China\u2019s missile and rocket capabilities, as well. The PLA even has a \u201cRocket Force\u201d as a branch of its military, described as \u201cthe largest missile force in the world, operating well over 1,000 short-range, medium-range, and intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) and over 300 long-range cruise missiles.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And when it comes to missiles and rockets, \u201cthere is not a U.S. equivalent to [the PLA\u2019s Rocket Force].\u201d Chinese planners think that those missiles, in addition to an emphasis on rocket artillery in the PLA ground force, can help make up for what the still-modernizing PLA Air Force lacks in both fixed-wing and rotary-wing close-air support capability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Force structure<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Amid recent reforms, the PLA Army has transitioned to a brigade-driven organization that has almost entirely eliminated its operational division and corps headquarters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Army assesses that the PLA\u2019s combined arms brigades are \u201csimilar in size, capability, and organization to the U.S. Army\u2019s brigade combat team.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt is entirely possible that [China] was influenced by BCT organization when designing the CA-BDE,\u201d the publication says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
A table comparing the capabilities of a Chinese combined arms brigade to a U.S. Brigade Combat Team. (Screenshot\/Army)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The maneuver component of the combined arms brigades varies depending on whether the unit is motorized, mechanized, or armored.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The PLA Marine Corps consists of six light brigades that are similar in structure to the PLA Army brigades, but they are considered to be more capable of expeditionary operations \u2014 or amphibious assault.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Airborne, air assault and spec ops<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The PLA Air Force has a rapid-response airborne corps intended to deploy \u201clight, strategically mobile ground forces that can provide a significant military presence anywhere in China in a very short period of time.\u201d The corps\u2019 maneuver assets includes six light brigades, a mechanized brigade, an air assault brigade and a special operations force brigade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Members of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) perform drills during a demonstration at an open day at the Shek Kong Barracks on June 30, 2018 in Hong Kong, Hong Kong. Hong Kong marked 21 years since its return to Chinese sovereignty from British rule on Sunday. (Anthony Kwan\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

That force includes two light brigades that could respond in a manner similar to the 82nd Airborne Division\u2019s Immediate Response Force, the manual says. But the PLA AF only has the assets to deploy two airborne light brigades at once, or half of a mechanized brigade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The PLA Army also has two air assault brigades, raising China\u2019s cross-branch total to three.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

China\u2019s special operations forces are utilized differently than their U.S. counterparts, the manual explains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[PLA] SOF brigade operations generally do not focus on training or interacting with foreign militaries; they instead focus on direct action\u2014deep reconnaissance and commando operations in support of group army operations,\u201d the document reads. \u201cSOF brigades are more similar to U.S. Army Ranger light infantry and long-range reconnaissance units than traditional [American] SOF.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

System and psychological warfare<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another key part of China\u2019s approach to fighting is \u201csystem warfare,\u201d the manual says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

System warfare is the act of targeting and disabling the enemy\u2019s capabilities \u2014 such as communications, information systems, or ISR \u2014 to create favorable conditions to isolate and overwhelm enemy ground units.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
People’s Liberation Army soldiers prepare for the arrival of China’s President Xi Jinping at the Shek Kong barracks in Hong Kong on June 30, 2017. \nXi arrived in Hong Kong on June 29 for a three-day visit to mark the 20th anniversary of the city’s handover from British to Chinese rule and to inaugurate new chief executive Carrie Lam on July 1. \/ AFP PHOTO \/ DALE DE LA REY (Photo credit should read DALE DE LA REY\/AFP\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

This system warfare approach nests well with the PLA\u2019s emphasis on psychological warfare, the publication explains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAn opponent may believe its position untenable by having vulnerable nodes of its systems rendered ineffective, rather than having the entire system destroyed,\u201d it says. \u201cAn opponent may view continued resistance as futile \u2014 not because of the direct threat of physical force \u2014 but because it has been deceived into thinking its situation is hopeless.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thus psychological operations, considered to be SOF territory in the U.S. Army\u2019s force structure, are a fundamental part of the PLA\u2019s overall approach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dunn, the TRADOC intelligence analyst involved in writing the manual, explained that understanding these capabilities and approaches is fundamental for Army leaders who want to be as prepared as possible to compete or fight against Chinese forces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[It is] essential for the Army, especially for the regionally aligned elements, to thoroughly understand the adversary they are most likely to encounter in future conflicts,\u201d she said, indicating that TRADOC is overhauling doctrine governing opposing forces at the Army\u2019s training centers to incorporate the material. \u201cFor the Army to remain ahead of its adversaries, training against a robust and realistic threat for task proficiency is essential.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A new Army publication highlights the capabilities and tactic’s of China’s armed forces.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":32906,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_yoast_wpseo_meta-robots-noindex":"","_yoast_wpseo_meta-robots-nofollow":"","_yoast_wpseo_canonical":"","_acf":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_category":70,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","_smg_distribution_targets":{"2":{"categories":["your-military","news","flashpoints","middle-column","home"],"primary_category":"your-military"},"4":{"categories":["middle-column","your-air-force","news","flashpoints"],"primary_category":"your-air-force"},"10":{"categories":["asia-pacific","global","the-americas","daily-news-roundup","newsletters"],"primary_category":"asia-pacific"}}},"categories":[100,8,23,92,12,25,70],"tags":[],"coauthors":[3376],"class_list":["post-45399","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-daily-news-roundup","category-flashpoints","category-home","category-left-column","category-news","category-newsletters","category-your-army"],"acf":{"subheadline":"","legacy_arc_id":"GYS7C7I3PNEWJPNCOESPHOB3YM","arc_canonical_url":"\/news\/your-army\/2021\/09\/01\/the-army-wants-soldiers-to-get-smart-on-chinas-military-structure-and-tactics\/","remove_feature_photo":false,"is_sponsored":false,"subtype":"","redirect_url":"","disable_inline_ads":false,"native_logo_pretext":"Presented By:"},"yoast_head":"\nThe Army wants you to get smart on China\u2019s military structure and tactics - Army Times<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"A new Army publication highlights the capabilities and tactic's of China's armed forces.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/news\/your-army\/2021\/09\/01\/the-army-wants-soldiers-to-get-smart-on-chinas-military-structure-and-tactics\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"The Army wants you to get smart on China\u2019s military structure and tactics\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"A new Army publication highlights the capabilities and tactic's of China's armed forces.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/news\/your-army\/2021\/09\/01\/the-army-wants-soldiers-to-get-smart-on-chinas-military-structure-and-tactics\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Army Times\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2021-09-01T20:58:02+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-08-08T03:32:44+00:00\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Davis Winkie\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Davis Winkie\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"6 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\n\t \"@context\": \"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\n\t \"@graph\": [\n\t {\n\t \"@type\": \"Article\",\n\t \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/armytimes\\\/news\\\/your-army\\\/2021\\\/09\\\/01\\\/the-army-wants-soldiers-to-get-smart-on-chinas-military-structure-and-tactics\\\/#article\",\n\t \"isPartOf\": {\n\t \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/armytimes\\\/news\\\/your-army\\\/2021\\\/09\\\/01\\\/the-army-wants-soldiers-to-get-smart-on-chinas-military-structure-and-tactics\\\/\"\n\t },\n\t \"author\": {\n\t \"name\": \"migration\",\n\t \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/armytimes\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/cc76c831bb37a926738c8391fca7a3b1\"\n\t },\n\t \"headline\": \"The Army wants you to get smart on China\u2019s military structure and tactics\",\n\t \"datePublished\": \"2021-09-01T20:58:02+00:00\",\n\t \"dateModified\": \"2026-08-08T03:32:44+00:00\",\n\t \"mainEntityOfPage\": {\n\t \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/armytimes\\\/news\\\/your-army\\\/2021\\\/09\\\/01\\\/the-army-wants-soldiers-to-get-smart-on-chinas-military-structure-and-tactics\\\/\"\n\t },\n\t \"wordCount\": 1231,\n\t \"commentCount\": 0,\n\t \"publisher\": {\n\t \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/armytimes\\\/#organization\"\n\t },\n\t \"image\": {\n\t \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/armytimes\\\/news\\\/your-army\\\/2021\\\/09\\\/01\\\/the-army-wants-soldiers-to-get-smart-on-chinas-military-structure-and-tactics\\\/#primaryimage\"\n\t },\n\t \"thumbnailUrl\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/08\\\/GettyImages-824401954.jpg.jpg\",\n\t \"articleSection\": [\n\t \"Daily News Roundup\",\n\t \"Flashpoints\",\n\t \"Home\",\n\t \"Left Column\",\n\t \"News\",\n\t \"Newsletters\",\n\t \"Your Army\"\n\t ],\n\t \"inLanguage\": \"en-US\",\n\t \"potentialAction\": [\n\t {\n\t \"@type\": \"CommentAction\",\n\t \"name\": \"Comment\",\n\t \"target\": [\n\t \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/armytimes\\\/news\\\/your-army\\\/2021\\\/09\\\/01\\\/the-army-wants-soldiers-to-get-smart-on-chinas-military-structure-and-tactics\\\/#respond\"\n\t ]\n\t }\n\t ]\n\t },\n\t {\n\t \"@type\": \"WebPage\",\n\t \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/armytimes\\\/news\\\/your-army\\\/2021\\\/09\\\/01\\\/the-army-wants-soldiers-to-get-smart-on-chinas-military-structure-and-tactics\\\/\",\n\t \"url\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/armytimes\\\/news\\\/your-army\\\/2021\\\/09\\\/01\\\/the-army-wants-soldiers-to-get-smart-on-chinas-military-structure-and-tactics\\\/\",\n\t \"name\": \"The Army wants you to get smart on China\u2019s military structure and tactics - Army Times\",\n\t \"isPartOf\": {\n\t \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/armytimes\\\/#website\"\n\t },\n\t \"primaryImageOfPage\": {\n\t \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/armytimes\\\/news\\\/your-army\\\/2021\\\/09\\\/01\\\/the-army-wants-soldiers-to-get-smart-on-chinas-military-structure-and-tactics\\\/#primaryimage\"\n\t },\n\t \"image\": {\n\t \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/armytimes\\\/news\\\/your-army\\\/2021\\\/09\\\/01\\\/the-army-wants-soldiers-to-get-smart-on-chinas-military-structure-and-tactics\\\/#primaryimage\"\n\t },\n\t \"thumbnailUrl\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/08\\\/GettyImages-824401954.jpg.jpg\",\n\t \"datePublished\": \"2021-09-01T20:58:02+00:00\",\n\t \"dateModified\": \"2026-08-08T03:32:44+00:00\",\n\t \"description\": \"A new Army publication highlights the capabilities and tactic's of China's armed forces.\",\n\t \"breadcrumb\": {\n\t \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/armytimes\\\/news\\\/your-army\\\/2021\\\/09\\\/01\\\/the-army-wants-soldiers-to-get-smart-on-chinas-military-structure-and-tactics\\\/#breadcrumb\"\n\t },\n\t \"inLanguage\": \"en-US\",\n\t \"potentialAction\": [\n\t {\n\t \"@type\": \"ReadAction\",\n\t \"target\": [\n\t \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/armytimes\\\/news\\\/your-army\\\/2021\\\/09\\\/01\\\/the-army-wants-soldiers-to-get-smart-on-chinas-military-structure-and-tactics\\\/\"\n\t ]\n\t }\n\t ]\n\t },\n\t {\n\t \"@type\": \"ImageObject\",\n\t \"inLanguage\": \"en-US\",\n\t \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/armytimes\\\/news\\\/your-army\\\/2021\\\/09\\\/01\\\/the-army-wants-soldiers-to-get-smart-on-chinas-military-structure-and-tactics\\\/#primaryimage\",\n\t \"url\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/08\\\/GettyImages-824401954.jpg.jpg\",\n\t \"contentUrl\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/08\\\/GettyImages-824401954.jpg.jpg\"\n\t },\n\t {\n\t \"@type\": \"BreadcrumbList\",\n\t \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/armytimes\\\/news\\\/your-army\\\/2021\\\/09\\\/01\\\/the-army-wants-soldiers-to-get-smart-on-chinas-military-structure-and-tactics\\\/#breadcrumb\",\n\t \"itemListElement\": [\n\t {\n\t \"@type\": \"ListItem\",\n\t \"position\": 1,\n\t \"name\": \"Home\",\n\t \"item\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/armytimes\\\/\",\n\t \"ad_zone\": \"home\"\n\t },\n\t {\n\t \"@type\": \"ListItem\",\n\t \"position\": 2,\n\t \"name\": \"Your Army\",\n\t \"item\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/armytimes\\\/news\\\/your-army\\\/\",\n\t \"ad_zone\": \"your-army\"\n\t },\n\t {\n\t \"@type\": \"ListItem\",\n\t \"position\": 3,\n\t \"name\": \"The Army wants you to get smart on China\u2019s military structure and tactics\"\n\t }\n\t ]\n\t },\n\t {\n\t \"@type\": \"WebSite\",\n\t \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/armytimes\\\/#website\",\n\t \"url\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/armytimes\\\/\",\n\t \"name\": \"Army Times\",\n\t \"description\": \"Independent News For Soldiers | Army Times\",\n\t \"publisher\": {\n\t \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/armytimes\\\/#organization\"\n\t },\n\t \"potentialAction\": [\n\t {\n\t \"@type\": \"SearchAction\",\n\t \"target\": {\n\t \"@type\": \"EntryPoint\",\n\t \"urlTemplate\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/armytimes\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"\n\t },\n\t \"query-input\": {\n\t \"@type\": \"PropertyValueSpecification\",\n\t \"valueRequired\": true,\n\t \"valueName\": \"search_term_string\"\n\t }\n\t }\n\t ],\n\t \"inLanguage\": \"en-US\"\n\t },\n\t {\n\t \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n\t \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/armytimes\\\/#organization\",\n\t \"name\": \"Army Times\",\n\t \"url\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/armytimes\\\/\",\n\t \"logo\": {\n\t \"@type\": \"ImageObject\",\n\t \"inLanguage\": \"en-US\",\n\t \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/armytimes\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\n\t \"url\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/06\\\/army-logo-white.png\",\n\t \"contentUrl\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/06\\\/army-logo-white.png\",\n\t \"caption\": \"Army Times\"\n\t },\n\t \"image\": {\n\t \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/armytimes\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"\n\t }\n\t },\n\t {\n\t \"@type\": \"Person\",\n\t \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/armytimes\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/cc76c831bb37a926738c8391fca7a3b1\",\n\t \"name\": \"migration\",\n\t \"image\": {\n\t \"@type\": \"ImageObject\",\n\t \"inLanguage\": \"en-US\",\n\t \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/9e8d47be443ce94ce7fc357677b5f9c70235bb1f59e7267a102a74af58c04f59?s=96&d=mm&r=gcf4cb6ee0ec29e49e7a963234e4340ec\",\n\t \"url\": \"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/9e8d47be443ce94ce7fc357677b5f9c70235bb1f59e7267a102a74af58c04f59?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\n\t \"contentUrl\": \"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/9e8d47be443ce94ce7fc357677b5f9c70235bb1f59e7267a102a74af58c04f59?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\n\t \"caption\": \"migration\"\n\t },\n\t \"url\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/armytimes\\\/author\\\/migration\\\/\"\n\t }\n\t ]\n\t}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"The Army wants you to get smart on China\u2019s military structure and tactics - Army Times","description":"A new Army publication highlights the capabilities and tactic's of China's armed forces.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/news\/your-army\/2021\/09\/01\/the-army-wants-soldiers-to-get-smart-on-chinas-military-structure-and-tactics\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"The Army wants you to get smart on China\u2019s military structure and tactics","og_description":"A new Army publication highlights the capabilities and tactic's of China's armed forces.","og_url":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/news\/your-army\/2021\/09\/01\/the-army-wants-soldiers-to-get-smart-on-chinas-military-structure-and-tactics\/","og_site_name":"Army Times","article_published_time":"2021-09-01T20:58:02+00:00","article_modified_time":"2026-08-08T03:32:44+00:00","author":"Davis Winkie","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Davis Winkie","Est. reading time":"6 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/news\/your-army\/2021\/09\/01\/the-army-wants-soldiers-to-get-smart-on-chinas-military-structure-and-tactics\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/news\/your-army\/2021\/09\/01\/the-army-wants-soldiers-to-get-smart-on-chinas-military-structure-and-tactics\/"},"author":{"name":"migration","@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/#\/schema\/person\/cc76c831bb37a926738c8391fca7a3b1"},"headline":"The Army wants you to get smart on China\u2019s military structure and tactics","datePublished":"2021-09-01T20:58:02+00:00","dateModified":"2026-08-08T03:32:44+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/news\/your-army\/2021\/09\/01\/the-army-wants-soldiers-to-get-smart-on-chinas-military-structure-and-tactics\/"},"wordCount":1231,"commentCount":0,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/news\/your-army\/2021\/09\/01\/the-army-wants-soldiers-to-get-smart-on-chinas-military-structure-and-tactics\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/GettyImages-824401954.jpg.jpg","articleSection":["Daily News Roundup","Flashpoints","Home","Left Column","News","Newsletters","Your Army"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/news\/your-army\/2021\/09\/01\/the-army-wants-soldiers-to-get-smart-on-chinas-military-structure-and-tactics\/#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/news\/your-army\/2021\/09\/01\/the-army-wants-soldiers-to-get-smart-on-chinas-military-structure-and-tactics\/","url":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/news\/your-army\/2021\/09\/01\/the-army-wants-soldiers-to-get-smart-on-chinas-military-structure-and-tactics\/","name":"The Army wants you to get smart on China\u2019s military structure and tactics - Army Times","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/news\/your-army\/2021\/09\/01\/the-army-wants-soldiers-to-get-smart-on-chinas-military-structure-and-tactics\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/news\/your-army\/2021\/09\/01\/the-army-wants-soldiers-to-get-smart-on-chinas-military-structure-and-tactics\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/GettyImages-824401954.jpg.jpg","datePublished":"2021-09-01T20:58:02+00:00","dateModified":"2026-08-08T03:32:44+00:00","description":"A new Army publication highlights the capabilities and tactic's of China's armed forces.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/news\/your-army\/2021\/09\/01\/the-army-wants-soldiers-to-get-smart-on-chinas-military-structure-and-tactics\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/news\/your-army\/2021\/09\/01\/the-army-wants-soldiers-to-get-smart-on-chinas-military-structure-and-tactics\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/news\/your-army\/2021\/09\/01\/the-army-wants-soldiers-to-get-smart-on-chinas-military-structure-and-tactics\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/GettyImages-824401954.jpg.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/GettyImages-824401954.jpg.jpg"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/news\/your-army\/2021\/09\/01\/the-army-wants-soldiers-to-get-smart-on-chinas-military-structure-and-tactics\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/","ad_zone":"home"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Your Army","item":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/news\/your-army\/","ad_zone":"your-army"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"The Army wants you to get smart on China\u2019s military structure and tactics"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/#website","url":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/","name":"Army Times","description":"Independent News For Soldiers | Army Times","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/#organization","name":"Army Times","url":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/army-logo-white.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/army-logo-white.png","caption":"Army Times"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"}},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/#\/schema\/person\/cc76c831bb37a926738c8391fca7a3b1","name":"migration","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/9e8d47be443ce94ce7fc357677b5f9c70235bb1f59e7267a102a74af58c04f59?s=96&d=mm&r=gcf4cb6ee0ec29e49e7a963234e4340ec","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/9e8d47be443ce94ce7fc357677b5f9c70235bb1f59e7267a102a74af58c04f59?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/9e8d47be443ce94ce7fc357677b5f9c70235bb1f59e7267a102a74af58c04f59?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"migration"},"url":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/author\/migration\/"}]}},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/GettyImages-824401954.jpg.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"distributor_meta":false,"distributor_terms":false,"distributor_media":false,"distributor_original_site_name":"Army Times","distributor_original_site_url":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes","push-errors":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45399","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=45399"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45399\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":45408,"href":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45399\/revisions\/45408"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=45399"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=45399"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=45399"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=45399"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}