[9][better source needed] These registered citizens automatically become reserves and are required to attend short training sessions periodically before age 22.
[10] For those who entered PLA as conscripts, if they fulfilled their service obligation can stay in the military as volunteer soldiers for a total of 16 years.
[1][3] In practice, mandatory military service has not been implemented since 1949 as the People's Liberation Army has been able to recruit sufficient numbers voluntarily.
[5] Those who voluntarily join the force are still counted as "conscripts" in the PLA but are provided with personal allowances, family subsidies, and post-service employment support.
If the "conscripts" choose to stay in the force after two years of service, they can become a non-commissioned officer (NCO), with a higher, regular salary.
According to research conducted by Taiwanese Ministry of Defense, the revised languages help to clarify that current PLA members are all voluntarily joined, while the "hybrid force" designation maintains the flexibility for the future implementation of the "compulsory military service" when needed.
[14][15] However, without formal legislation to codify or regulate the system, complex political dynamics, such as the Land Reform Movement, led to instances of violence between militia members and civilians that were not brought to justice.
[18] On July 30, 1955, the Second Session of the First National People's Congress passed China's first Military Service Law, and the PLA began implementing the conscription system.
During this period, except for a few units that retained a very small number of voluntary soldiers, the entire military essentially operated under a uniform obligated conscription system.