This groundbreaking book offers the first in-depth, large-scale study of People's Liberation Army veterans and military families. Neil Diamant's penetrating examination of the treatment of PLA veterans in China opens a distinctive window onto Chinese patriotism, citizenship, and legitimacy. Using recently declassified archival documents and employing a comparative perspective, the book provides an unprecedented look at the 'everyday interactions' among veterans, military families, state officials, and ordinary citizens as they attempted to secure urban residence, jobs, spouses, medical care, and respect as patriots.