If you leave the Chinese military, the government can make your life a living hell

[Clutch Cargo]

A new report shows how big of a deal quitting the military is in China, where even dropping out of the physically demanding recruit training can spell an end to normal life.

The official English-language news website of the People’s Liberation Army recently posted a story about a new recruit who decided to quit after only about a month of service.

Zhang Moukang, whose age is not given, enlisted in the army in September, but found himself “unable to adapt” to military life, according to China Military Online. He asked to quit in October, and “despite his troops’ patient exhortation, he persisted in dropping out” in November.

According to the report, the new recruit was then hit with eight punishments ranging from a two-year ban on travel to more than $US7,000 in fines and reimbursements. Here all eight of the punishments:

A two-year ban on foreign and domestic travel, buying real estate, going to college, and starting a business.
A lifetime ban on working for the government, even as a temporary staffer. This is a big deal since China’s communist government means that many jobs are government jobs.
His military status will be changed to “rejection of military service.”
A $US4,000 fine for leaving the military, in addition to paying back the government for the costs they incurred taking him on as a soldier and housing him, which amounts to $US3,750.
A cancellation of his preferential treatment as a serviceman.
A public shaming via TV, newspaper, and social media reports.

CNN reports that there have been a few dozen similar cases in recent years of soldiers in China being punished for leaving the military.

Read more at https://www.businessinsider.com/zhang-m ... RlJ5wbW.99