Xu Shasha [West China City Daily]

Xu Shasha, a young college student who became the first female soldier from Southwest China's Sichuan Province to serve on the Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning, spoke to reporters recently to share her experiences of army life.

Xu, 23, wanted to be a soldier since her childhood. As a young girl, she loved watching military dramas on TV.

She saw the recruitment poster on campus in 2015 whilst she was still a freshman at Leshan Normal University in Sichuan and immediately filled in an application form.

Though surprised by her decision, her father still gave her the consent.

"Since you have a dream, just work hard to achieve it and exercise your independence," said Xu's father, who also had a dream of being a soldier in his younger days.

Her mom and dad's support strengthened Xu's determination to follow her dream. She cut her long hair short and got herself ready for enrollment.

"I felt a bit reluctant the moment my hair was chopped off," Xu recalled.

However, she soon adapted herself to life as a recruit after taking part in training successfully.

She never cried for pain or exhaustion after she climbed over nets, fired live rounds or practiced military fighting skills.

"Everyone praised me for my good aim in shooting training at the time," Xu said proudly.

Frustration, however, arrived quickly. She once took 21 minutes to complete a three-kilometer running course and finished as the last one in the whole team. She sat on the track and cried.

She felt particularly stressed whenever running was mentioned during that time.

In order to achieve the target within a maximum of 17 minutes as required, Xu ran more than five kilometers each day with her teeth clenched. And to maintain her energy, she would eat a few more steamed bread in the cafeteria.

As it turned out, she was able to complete a three-kilometer run in just 14 minutes, and meanwhile she gained 10 pounds in a few months for it.

"Xu is hard-working and she is very serious in training," said Xue Meng, Xu's comrade-in-arms.

Xu Shasha raises a national flag on the Liaoning. [West China City Daily]

At the end of the recruits' training, the aircraft carrier Liaoning came to pick candidates. Xu successfully passed the preliminary interview.

She knew she had to do more work to get the precious opportunity. Therefore, in the following training and assessment, Xu redoubled her efforts to participate.

Finally, Xu became the only female soldier from Sichuan who was assigned to the Liaoning.

Standing on the deck of the ship for the first time, Xu was shocked by what she saw: it was so huge that some soldiers would even get lost making their way around.

As a signal soldier, in addition to the study of professional knowledge, signal flags waving, maintenance of aircraft carriers, the most rewarding thing Xu does every day is to raise the national flag on the ship.

"I felt so proud! Every time the flag rises, I feel a high respect for our country," said Xu.

Xu was officially discharged from the army on September 1, 2017. She returned to her college to continue her study the same year.

Back on the familiar campus, Xu's attitude has changed, "My life as a soldier in these two years has really changed me. My mentality has matured a lot and my vision has been broadened."