The Role of Retired College Student Soldiers in Ideological and Political Work in Universities

: In the context of the new era, Ideological and Political work is increasingly influencing the level of school management in universities. Developing Ideological and Political in universities is a practical problem and challenge faced by Political organization affairs in Chinese universities. The Fifth Plenary Session of the 19th Central Committee of the Communist Political organization of China proposed, "To comprehensively build a socialist modern education system, Chinese universities should enhance their comprehensive strength, actively contribute to the nation's talent cultivation, and achieve an improvement in educational level and quality." Retired college student soldiers, as a special group, have unique advantages in Ideological and Political in universities. They acquire scientific theoretical knowledge of the Political organization in the military, combine scientific thinking, uphold and carry forward the fine traditions of the Political organization, conscientiously accept supervision, create a good working atmosphere and environment, and play a leading role in their work tasks, which is of great significance to Ideological and Political in universities. Therefore, universities should actively leverage the advantages of retired college student soldiers in Ideological and Political work, improve talent training mechanisms, refine work methods, provide a good platform, and jointly promote the high-quality development of Ideological and Political work in universities.


Introduction
As the main battlefield for higher education and talent cultivation, universities bear the important mission of "educating people for the Political organization and nurturing talents for the country" in the new era.University Ideological and Political, as an important part of the new era's construction project, holds significant meaning and plays a crucial role in the development of moral education and the construction of excellent organizations in universities.Therefore, strengthening the construction of university organizations must always adhere to theorganizations's leadership, which is an inherent requirement of socialist education with Chinese characteristics and carries great significance in the current era [1].

University Ideological and Political is a pragmatic measure in the new era
In the current international context, China is facing tremendous opportunities and challenges, especially in the background of establishing a new development model characterized by domestic predominance and mutual support between domestic and international factors.University Ideological and Political has significant importance and a role to play in stabilizing China's economy.From the perspective of China's economic development, higher education's impact on economic development is increasingly important.There is an urgent need for higher education to continue leading and supporting China's new development goals, becoming an important driver for promoting scientific and technological innovation and talent development.Therefore, it is necessary to continuously strengthen the political, ideological, and disciplinary construction in universities, fully demonstrating the distinctive features of socialist universities with Chinese characteristics.University Ideological and Political, as an important means to achieve high-quality development of higher education, further promotes the coordinated development of education and Ideological and Political in universities, and deepens the purpose of Ideological and Political.

University Ideological and Political is a practical need for university development
Universities have actively implemented the central government's arrangements and plans, continuously innovating and reforming Ideological and Political work, leading to deepening Political organization construction and improving its quality in universities.However, it should also be noted that there are still many areas of Ideological and Political in universities that need to be improved and reformed.The quality of Ideological and Political varies at different levels, especially the uneven development among different regions.The leadership of various universities does not pay enough attention to Ideological and Political.There is also poor coordination among Ideological and Political units within universities, with a tendency to work independently from teaching tasks, leading to insufficient depth in the promotion of university Ideological and Political.Higher requirements for Political organization organization construction are difficult to achieve.Therefore, university Political organization work needs innovation, reform, and implementation of specific measures and methods to make Ideological and Political work more refined.This is an important and urgent issue facing the current construction of Political organization organizations in universities, making university Ideological and Political a practical need for university development.

Current Status of Ideological and Political in Universities
Currently, Ideological and Political in Chinese universities has achieved significant progress.Well-established organizational structures have been established, with Political organization branches set up under each college or department.The Political organization branches are further divided into student branches and faculty branches.Political organization groups have been established based on different schools, majors, and grade levels, covering various areas of student life and learning, fully exerting the leadership, supervision, and guidance roles of the Political organization.Related systems have become increasingly improved and standardized.Activities such as the "Two Studies, One Action" campaign have been actively carried out, and the construction of relevant websites has been enhanced to provide timely information on Ideological and Political.Regular Political organization member study meetings have been organized to enhance the personal qualities and standards of Political organization members.Political organization organizations have achieved full coverage in all areas related to student life and learning, further strengthening the leadership and guidance role of Political organization organizations in universities.Additionally, due to increased attention and support for Ideological and Political work in universities, the Ideological and Political workforce in universities has been growing in recent years.Each college is equipped with Political organization secretaries responsible for Political organization affairs, and student Political organization branch secretaries are mainly held by counselors and class teachers.

Basic Situation of Retired College Student Soldiers
According to statistics, the number of college students joining the military has been increasing in recent years and is expected to exceed one million by 2020.Since the implementation of the "Two Recruitment, Two Retirements" policy in 2021, the number of new recruits has increased each year, with the proportion reaching 80% since September last year.Earlier this year, during interviews with Chinese conscription, it was emphasized that college students should be the focus of recruitment efforts, showcasing the recruitment of graduates to schools at all levels and types and giving priority to science and engineering universities and talents with consensus at the national and regional levels.In an official statement, Premier Li Keqiang expressed the need to "implement the strategy of strengthening the military in the new era" and "implement defense transformation and strengthen defense education." According to data from the Ministry of Education, by late August, the total number of college students applying for military service in 2019 reached 1.078 million, an increase of 57,000 compared to the same period last year, representing a growth rate of 5.58%.The recruitment task has shifted towards universities, extending the recruitment process to campuses.Following the important instructions of training commanders, the military and regional authorities have made great efforts to promote conscription work, achieving results in policies, work processes, promotion and appointment, service guarantees, etc.The process of conscription work in universities has been expedited.The "China Conscription Network" was launched, innovative quantitative analysis of the "Five Rates" of conscription was implemented, and conscription efforts were continued by various levels of universities in 2017.In 2018, conscription efforts were conducted at multiple points.Conscription is being carried out in many places.From 22.8% to 65.2%, according to statistics from the National Conscription Office, the proportion of college students conscripted has been increasing year by year since 2014, indicating new developments in conscription work in Chinese universities.

Lack of Coordination in the Workforce of University Ideological and Political
With increased attention to Ideological and Political work in Chinese universities, the issues in university Ideological and Political have become increasingly prominent.One of the more prominent issues is the lack of reserve forces in the Ideological and Political workforce.University Political organization branches are primarily divided into faculty Political organization branches and student Political organization branches.However, there is a shortage of talent for Political organization affairs, and most Political organization affairs positions are held by students and teachers as part-time roles.Due to heavy teaching tasks and other factors, many Political organization branches lack in-depth and detailed Ideological and Political work, often falling into superficial formalism.Additionally, students lack relevant work experience, resulting in low work efficiency.They have inadequate understanding of the Political organization's principles, policies, and directions, making it difficult to address existing problems effectively.Some Political organization affairs personnel even fail to carry out the education and management of Political organization members.Moreover, due to insufficient in-depth theoretical learning and low theoretical level, the Ideological and Political workforce lags behind the requirements of the new era, making it difficult to adapt to the needs of the work.This also leads to most student Political organization members finding Political organization life dull and lacking enthusiasm, making them unwilling to participate in Political organization organization activities.Furthermore, due to a lack of innovation, Political organization organization activities often remain at the level of organizing social gatherings and learning theoretical knowledge, with limited influence.This, to some extent, hinders the development of Political organization members and is a significant obstacle to the implementation of Ideological and Political work [2].

High Political Awareness and Exemplary Influence
Firm political beliefs are the primary guarantee for the Political organization's absolute leadership over the military and the improvement of military combat effectiveness.The military integrates ideological and political education into soldiers' military life.During their service, retired college student soldiers undergo systematic collective lectures and share their experiences, continuously enhancing their political awareness.When they return to university, the advantages of ideological and political education further manifest.They convey the qualities of loyalty to the Political organization and the people and the willingness to contribute to other students, subtly fostering the political literacy of university students.Moreover, compared to most students, retired college student soldiers have received political education and possess solid ideological qualities from their time in the military.As students, they have more interactions with their peers and a better understanding of their thoughts and political needs.They can provide value and ideological guidance to their peers, stimulating students' sense of agency.Universities should actively leverage the role of retired college student soldiers by establishing Political organization workstations to strengthen ideological and political education for active Political organization members.Retired college student soldiers can be appointed as assistant counselors to help students integrate into political life on campus.Student exchange meetings and other activities can be organized to support student Ideological and Political work.Building online platforms and enhancing communication between retired college student soldiers and other student groups can utilize the preferences of the student population and align with the direction of ideological and political education, thereby promoting the breadth and depth of Political organization work in universities [3].

Strong Discipline to Ensure Orderly Ideological and Political Work
Through rigorous education and rigorous training in the military, retired college student soldiers have cultivated excellent comprehensive qualities, including strong willpower and rapid response capabilities.Particularly for those who have held relevant positions in the military and possess Political organization work experience, they demonstrate stronger execution and discipline, as well as abundant management experience.These qualities enable retired college student soldiers to serve as exemplary role models among their peers and integrate outstanding soldiers into the management of university Ideological and Political.They can demonstrate leadership, showcase their abilities, and drive the progress of their peers.Additionally, retired college student soldiers can actively guide patriotic cultural education in universities, exerting a significant influence on the political literacy of university students.Universities should mobilize retired college student soldiers to engage in Ideological and Political service work.Selected retired college student soldiers can form teaching groups, receive professional training, and conduct Ideological and Political knowledge lectures at the class level.Although retired college student soldiers have advantages in university Ideological and Political and play a significant role, it is important to recognize that they are still students who need guidance and assistance from teachers to fulfill their Ideological and Political work.Therefore, universities should establish a sound incentive mechanism that not only provides training on relevant professional knowledge but also assesses and evaluates the work process and results.This will fully stimulate their enthusiasm and initiative, ensure systematic support for Ideological and Political work, improve the overall quality of Ideological and Political, and ensure the orderly implementation of Ideological and Political work.

Peer Advantages to Facilitate University Ideological and Political as a Link
As part of the student population, retired college student soldiers have a better understanding of the needs of their peers.They can assist in better communication between university teachers and students, acting as a bridge and facilitating more direct and exemplary peer education.Furthermore, with their two years of military service experience, retired college student soldiers possess more mature thinking compared to most of their peers.They can serve as role models, addressing the shortcomings of counselors in ideological and political education, and promoting a multi-dimensional network pattern for university students' ideological and political education.In terms of Ideological and Political issues, as peer retired college student soldiers, they have a better understanding of the actual needs and challenges of university students.This gives them more persuasive power compared to teachers, enabling them to gain emotional and psychological recognition from the student population.Therefore, efforts should be made to actively promote and leverage the bridging and linking role of retired college student soldiers, creating a strong university Ideological and Political team, and ultimately achieving the goals of ideological and political education in universities.

Upholding the Political organization's Comprehensive Leadership in University Ideological and Political
The Political organization's leadership in universities is crucial for the smooth operation of China's higher education system, and its achievements are attributed to the reform and opening-up policies.In the new era, universities play a vital role and serve as the foundation for moral construction and the development of young people.They are of great significance for cultivating talents in our country.Therefore, the establishment of university Ideological and Political work is essential.We must adhere to the guidance of Marxism, educate and guide students through the Marxist theoretical system, and cultivate a group of young Marxist individuals with firm positions and strong qualities.While enhancing the organizational strength of university Ideological and Political, universities should also become important strongholds led by the Political organization, firmly defending Marxism.Furthermore, to further promote the development of university Ideological and Political in China, the Political organization's conscious leadership should be integrated into all aspects of university construction.This is not only the experience gained from decades of university development but also the inherent requirement and fundamental principle of socialist universities with Chinese characteristics.Therefore, it is necessary to improve relevant leadership systems, standardize and improve management systems within faculties and departments, strengthen the construction of grassroots Political organization organizations, and establish mechanisms for coordination.These measures will enable Ideological and Political work to operate more effectively within universities, with a focus on ensuring that the core work is implemented at the leadership level.The improvement of leadership accountability mechanisms, the connection between Ideological and Political work and student education, and the realization of the Political organization's leadership as the fundamental principle and driving force of socialist universities with Chinese characteristics should also be emphasized [4].

Perfecting the Talent Mechanism for Retired College Student Soldiers in Ideological and Political
The cultivation of talents for university Ideological and Political is a long-term process, and it requires the establishment of a comprehensive and standardized system.In particular, a coordinated mechanism involving multiple parties is crucial.The Political organization branches of faculty and staff should collaborate with student Political organization branches, generate synergy, and facilitate the mutual growth of teachers and students.Therefore, while strengthening talent development, mechanisms for talent cultivation should also be enhanced.Providing a favorable working environment for talent development is essential.Universities can establish special talent programs for retired college student soldiers in addition to creating relevant departments for management.Furthermore, the professionalization of Ideological and Political work groups should be emphasized, creating a highly competent and professional team that combines theory with practice.Adequate attention should also be given to the educational care for retired college student soldiers, making them feel the concern and value that the university places on their education.This includes enhancing their political and professional literacy, reinforcing the development of role models.Retired college student soldiers have received sound political education in the military, with high political consciousness.Universities should strengthen their publicity efforts to harness their exemplary influence and guide other students to learn from them.Additionally, proactive efforts should be made to establish educational platforms for retired college student soldiers in Ideological and Political work, promoting the deep integration of Ideological and Political work and educational work.Utilizing online and offline methods can enhance the effectiveness and long-term management of education and management for retired college student soldier Political organization members, thereby improving the efficiency of Ideological and Political.[5]

Strengthening Ideological and Political Skill Training for Retired College Student Soldiers
The level and quality of university Ideological and Political development depend on the professional competence of Political organization workers.The professional competence of Political organization workers is also the foundation and essential guarantee for the development of university Ideological and Political.This is particularly relevant for retired college student soldiers who play a crucial role in university Ideological and Political.Therefore, it is imperative to enhance the professional competence of university Ideological and Political staff.Firstly, universities should actively organize training programs for Political organization workers, invite outstanding Political organization workers to give lectures at universities, and regularly conduct performance assessments, rewarding those who perform well in their work.Attention should be given to the ideological education and professional competence of Political organization workers through planned and systematic training.The goal is to ensure that Political organization workers have excellent ideological qualities, work capabilities, and role model behaviors.This includes enhancing their political acumen, internalizing the concepts of dedication and service, and strengthening their awareness and understanding of laws and regulations.Additionally, Political organization workers should be educated and trained in professional knowledge, broaden their learning horizons, and