Are we really training PLA SF soldiers?

[Archer1440]

If true, very concerning.

https://www.vermilionchina.com/p/the...tCnGetuSMLuxZc

[TGS]

If true, very concerning.

https://www.vermilionchina.com/p/the...tCnGetuSMLuxZc

When you say, "We", keep in mind this was open enrollment training on the private market.

This is not an instance of the US government training PLA troops, if that's what you meant by "we".

[Default.mp3]

When you say, "We", keep in mind this was open enrollment training on the private market.

This is not an instance of the US government training PLA troops, if that's what you meant by "we".

Beyond that, I haven't seen anything that suggests it was anything more than basic open enrollment courses that are teaching things that you could pick up from the Magpul Dynamics DVDs, let alone the plethora of YouTube weapons manipulations videos. As best I can tell, guy's not rolling in to some closed enrollment CQB course with a bunch of guys he knows and has trained with extensively to learn the nuances of small unit CQB tactics that PLA SOF wouldn't already know.

[TheRoland]

I think this is explained a little deceptively. The guy was in the US for high school. I'm out of my lane but the idea that the PRC sent a "special forces" soldier to play "Hello, Fellow Kids" for 4 years as a cover to "steal" open enrollment tactical training sounds ridiculous.

Based on the speed at which Zhang transitioned from student in the US, to small team training, to training units himself, it is almost certain that Zhang was a PLA soldier prior to entering the United States.

It's unfortunate that an exchange student so into guns and tactics decided to leave the US and take it back to an adversary. But I don't think it's "almost certain" that this was some grand plan. Isn't it more likely that he leveraged his interest into a job opportunity? Especially considering he's posted literally everything on social media...

[Archer1440]

When you say, "We", keep in mind this was open enrollment training on the private market.

This is not an instance of the US government training PLA troops, if that's what you meant by "we".

In this context the “we” is “our” community of firearms and training participants and instructors. ITAR, anyone?

[TGS]

Beyond that, I haven't seen anything that suggests it was anything more than basic open enrollment courses that are teaching things that you could pick up from the Magpul Dynamics DVDs, let alone the plethora of YouTube weapons manipulations videos. As best I can tell, guy's not rolling in to some closed enrollment CQB course with a bunch of guys he knows and has trained with extensively to learn the nuances of small unit CQB tactics that PLA SOF wouldn't already know.

Yeah, very good points.

To add to that, this article is pure trash. It basically assumes everything to make its end point that this is an instance of PLA SF, or that he is instructing people. The author literally just made that shit up out of nowhere because of some context-less pictures.

PLA SOF is composed of pubescent teenage boys that haven't even finished school yet. Got it. Thanks for the great intel tip, Vermillion.

Isn't it more likely that he leveraged his interest into a job opportunity? Especially considering he's posted literally everything on social media...

My guess is he is a budding social media influencer or possibly an actor that was/is being used in some capacity for a PR campaign.

Unless it's Xi's grand plan of PLA SOF being run by teenage kids and telling everyone else in the PLA what's up.

[Wake27]

This is kind of stupid in a few ways IMO. Is training one dude that big of a deal? Not really. I've got tons of time in classes with current and former SOF, doesn't mean I'm a super soldier that's suddenly force multiplying the whole DOD. At the same time though, its equally stupid that this happened, obviously several times. I've only ever had citizenship verified buy one trainer if I remember right, and its not the worst idea for instructors to know who they're training. Either way, I don't think I've ever taken an oorah photo like some of those posted, so maybe that's a clue. It is another win for Ronin Tactics, so that's cool.

[TGS]

This is kind of stupid in a few ways IMO. Is training one dude that big of a deal? Not really. I've got tons of time in classes with current and former SOF, doesn't mean I'm a super soldier that's suddenly force multiplying the whole DOD. At the same time though, its equally stupid that this happened, obviously several times. I've only ever had citizenship verified buy one trainer if I remember right, and its not the worst idea for instructors to know who they're training. Either way, I don't think I've ever taken an oorah photo like some of those posted, so maybe that's a clue. It is another win for Ronin Tactics, so that's cool.

How did the instructor verify citizenship?

P.S. citizenship is not required to purchase/participate in firearms training.

[Trooper224]

You can buy a guitar, but that doesn’t make you a musician.

Paraphrasing the late Jeff Cooper.

[ragnar_d]

In this context the “we” is “our” community of firearms and training participants and instructors. ITAR, anyone?

This is the first thing I thought of. Maybe it's just 15+ years of compliance and ITAR training, but this seems like it would qualify as an export/transfer to a non-approved party. As there are people here who are much more well versed in such things, is there a way that ITAR/EAR rolls in as a factor to something like this? I've worked with companies that were foreign owned and worked with items on the USML and other controlled things. We were always mindful of compliance on that and I was always very conscientious about running things through our compliance officer/legal even through there was a TAA in place.

Does training like this constitute an export even though it's not technical data, but could be?