NANJING, May 2 (Xinhua) -- Despite wearing an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) suit weighing more than 20 kg, Qi Huali's hands remained steady. With utmost precision, he carefully pierced a tiny hole in the corner of an explosive initiation device, and inserted a speculum to inspect its inner mechanisms.
After scrupulous observation and analysis, Qi discovered no fewer than 10 distinct types of explosive initiators within the 30-centimeter-long box. The interior revealed a bewildering array of intricate wiring and a diverse assortment of triggering mechanisms, each posing a unique challenge and requiring utmost caution.
It took over an hour of intense concentration for Qi to successfully map out the intricate circuit diagram and safely discharge the explosive. During this time, due to the bulky explosion-proof suit, the only way he could rest was to lie on his stomach on the ground.
Qi passed this rigorous test in 2021, making him a senior EOD technician of first level. This honor is only bestowed upon officers and soldiers with excellent professional skills in the armed forces.
Currently, as a Master Sergeant second class, Qi instructs candidate non-commissioned officers at a military unit in east China.
Qi's journey in the military was a rough ride. When he joined the army at 19 in 2003, he was a reluctant recruit. As he described it, he was dragged into the army by his family.
As a new recruit, Qi struggled to adjust to military life. However, his perseverance and dedication soon set him apart from his peers. What he lacked in physical strength and skill, he made up for by training extra hard.
The role of an EOD technician demands unparalleled meticulousness, seriousness, and exceptional technical and psychological qualities. A mere slip of attention could be fatal. Qi aptly describes his profession as "working with death in my arms."
Becoming a full-fledged EOD technician typically requires six to eight years of rigorous training and actual combat experience. To become competent in this dangerous yet demanding job, Qi trains diligently day after day in his heavy protective suit, practicing tasks like threading needles and picking up beans with chopsticks, honing his skills to perfection.
After each training session, Qi's entire body would be soaked in sweat. Wearing the quilt-thick suit in the humid and hot climate leads to eczema flare-ups, yet he perseveres without complaint.
Qi's fellow soldiers often use the words "meticulous," "dedicated," and "inquisitive" to describe him. During training, Qi, a thinker at heart despite his humble background, successfully refined a tool for excavating unexploded ordnance, earning a patent for his innovation.
To address the issue of electrically initiated explosive devices in his work, he studied to acquire an electrical certificate. After becoming an instructor in 2023, he further expanded his qualifications by obtaining a psychologist certificate to better fulfill his duties.
"I deeply admire and am inspired by Qi. No matter where I am or what position I hold in the future, Qi will always motivate me to bravely face and overcome any difficulties that come my way," said Li Yongchun, a second-year conscript who once worked as Qi's assistant in an EOD task.
The numerous EOD technicians instructed by Qi now serve in various positions, both within and beyond the military camp. Now, the once reluctant recruit never gives it a thought to leave the military. "Everything I have is owed to the army, and it is my desire to contribute all my strength to repay the military," Qi said. ■
