Six schools in Sichuan recruit national defense students. They are: Sichuan University, Southwest Jiaotong University, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu University of Information Technology, xihua university and Southwest University of Political Science and Law. National defense students refer to reserve officers who are recruited by the army from fresh high school graduates (including those who meet the requirements of walking) and selected and trained from college students according to the needs of army building.

National defense students have the dual identities of ordinary college students and reserve military (police) officers. Most of the institutions that recruit national defense students are national key universities. The teaching facilities and teachers in these local colleges are higher than those in military schools, and national defense students can receive quality education here. After signing an agreement with the relevant military units, national defense students can also enjoy national defense scholarships provided by the military during their school days. National defense students will join the army as officers after graduation.

In addition to completing the required study in colleges and universities, national defense students should also receive military and political training organized by the army and colleges and universities. Military and political training includes military and political theory courses, daily training and intensive holiday training. Military and political training is included in the teaching content of colleges and universities, and credits are calculated as compulsory courses or compulsory courses for national defense students. The military and political training results of national defense students are recorded in the student achievement files, and they must meet the prescribed standards and requirements when they graduate.