Is there anything special about the monitor's epaulettes?

Nothing special. Monitor and platoon leader do not need epaulettes, but epaulettes represent ranks. Generally, non-commissioned officers can be squad leaders. Generally speaking, when the monitor is a non-commissioned officer, the monitor is not an officer!

China's military rank regulations:

(After 1995) The ranks of officers are divided into the following three grades and ten grades:

General officers: general, lieutenant general and major general;

China People's Liberation Army epaulettes (5 pieces)

University officials: senior colonel, colonel, lieutenant colonel and major;

Captain: Captain, captain and second lieutenant. [6]

The epaulettes corresponding to the ranks of officers are:

Captain: one bar and one star, second lieutenant; Two stars in a bar, lieutenant; Three-star bar, captain.

School: two poles and one star, major; Bipolar binary star, Lieutenant Colonel; Two stars, colonel; Two squares and four stars, senior colonel.

General: golden olive branch plus a Venus, Major General; Golden olive branch plus two Venus, Lieutenant General; Golden olive branch and three Venus, Admiral.