When finding a job is tough, why not join the army? For the first time since 1990, the PLA has started enlisting in summer and is seeking to attract college students with favorable policies aimed especially at them.

求职难，为何不去从军?自1990年以来，中国人民解放军今年首次实行夏季征兵，并开出专享优惠政策吸引更多的大学生来入伍。

Mou Mingbing from the Ministry of National Defense told Xinhua News Agency that previously the traditional enlisting season was winter, when many college graduates with much needed expertise would miss the opportunity to enlist.

来自国防部的牟明兵(音译)在接受新华社采访时表示，由于以往都是冬季征兵，许多急缺型专业人才就错失了入伍的机会。

“We changed the enlisting season in order to attract more talents to the country’s defense cause,” said Mou last month.

“我们调整了征兵的时节，就是为了吸引更多的人才来投身国防事业。”牟明兵在上个月接受采访时说。

Gong Fangbin, a professor at the National Defence University, thinks enlisting is a good choice in the current job market.

来自国防大学的龚方斌(音译)教授认为，在当前的就业环境下，入伍是个不错的选择。

“The global financial recession offers the PLA a chance to attract much needed university talents,” said Gong.

“全球金融?；慷犹峁┝艘淮我毙栊痛笱瞬诺幕帷?rdquo;龚方斌说。

According to Gong, a number of new favorable policies aimed at college students will boost their confidence in joining the army and offer them an attractive reward after completing service.

龚方斌表示，一系列大学生征兵优惠政策将会激发他们参军的信心，并在退伍后为他们提供了丰厚福利。

Financial support: Students who return to university after service can have their tuition fees waived or reduced. According to PLA administration, for an enrolled student to join the army, there are about 130,000 yuan stipend, bonus and subsidy paid after their service.

经济支持：退伍返校的大学生可以享受学费减免的待遇。据部队管理部门透露，入伍的在校大学生在退伍后，将获得总计约13万元的奖学金、奖金以及补贴。

Graduate school: Retired soldiers can earn extra points in the graduate school entrance exam within three years of their retirement. Those with a bachelor’s degree who gain a second-grade badge of honor during service can enroll into graduate school without sitting the exam.

考研：退伍军人在退伍三年内考研可获得额外加分。获得学士学位的学生在服役期间如立二等功，可免试读研。

Continue to study: Students who are still enrolled at university can join the army without losing their academic credits. This means after completing service they can continue their studies from where they left off.

继续上学：在校大学生参军，学分仍保留。这就意味着，他们退伍后可继续返校完成学业。

Hukou: Graduates from colleges in Beijing who are enlisted in the capital will get a Beijing hukou if, after their retirement from the army, they are hired by an entity of any kind registered in Beijing.

户口：在京服役的北京各高校毕业生退伍后，在在京注册的企事业单位任职的，可获得北京户口。