How did boot camp change you?

Question

People say BCT brainwashes you, that you lose sensitivity and an ability to connect to people. It breaks you down so that you can kill someone. Is that true? How did boot camp change you?

Answer 1

great answer before me... explains why he can't answer this one lol.

Went thru Basic (Boot Camp) a long time ago, mostly what I remember is that when I got sick with a sore throat/cruds, it was easier to smoke menthol cigarettes. It don't break you down tho, it's a physical and mental conditioning program. Physically because you need to be at a certain fitness level to properly do your job, whatever it may be. Mentally because they want you to obey orders given to you.

Answer 2

That's typical liberal hogwash. It does NOT brainwash you. The point of the drill instructors breaking you down is to get you to stop thinking of yourself all the time and to start realizing that you're part of a team. That's why they shave your head and put you in a uniform that everyone else wears. That's why they make you feel worthless as an individual. They want you to learn how to put your personal feelings on hold and work with people from very different backgrounds and cultures, whether you like them or not. If anything, it enhances your ability to connect to other people because you become united for a common cause, and that cause is to complete the mission -- whatever the mission may be. The people who do well in basic training are those who help others, foster teamwork, and have the maturity to know that they're no better than anyone else there. Yes, everyone there is an individual (and still will be when they leave) but the idea is to believe in a cause that's bigger than just you.

Answer 3

As a newly graduated Marine, you have a new mission in life.
Getting into Maggie's pink panties was no longer the most important thing in life. You absolutely had the greatest respect in the world for the USMC, and you were part of it. You were part of the team. You survived boot camp and went on to graduate and to become a US marine. Not everyone could say that, many platoon members washed out and were sent home with their tail between their legs.

You do not lose sensitivity necessarily, but your perspective changes. You identify less with the people you knew before boot camp, and more with the Marines around you. After all, you now have a lot more in common with fellow Marines, than you do with Ms. pink panties.

If you pay attention during training, you learn many ways to hurt or kill your adversaries, and some of that training includes doing it with bare hands. At times, boot camp is pretty intense, but you truly do come out with a lot of self discipline, knowledge, and military training, second to none!

Answer 4

The main thing about boot camp when I went in (1996) was they tried to get us to perform under pressure. Allthe screaming and negative stuff is to DESENSITIZE you to it. There may come a time (war,emergency, or the Base commander is coming to inspect) when supervisor will have to bark orders and you need to obey without being offended. Its no place to worry about being politically correct. Thats the problem nowadays. So many punk kids who think they are hard (of course i was like that also)......Once you join the service...its time to buck up and be a man (or woman for those females out there).

As far as connecting with people that is kind of true. No first names and the haircut makes you feel "expendable" however, after your 3rd week teamwork comes into play and you will begin to get closer to your bunkmates. I can't say I remember anyone from basic training other than through memories or the year book. I never saw any of them after we left for our tech schools.

Killing someone is not taught at basic...thats in other training courses depending on what you'll do. M16 is just a shooting course.

Basic only changed me by giving me a sense of pride and taught me to respect authority.

Answer 5

BCT didn't brainwash me. You spend like 8-14 wks. there not 8-14 yrs. The only thing BCT changed was the muscles in my abs. I left BCT with a 12 pack.

Answer 6

I met the person who would become, and is, my best friend, and has been for 32 years.

I learned that I had a flagrant disregard for authority, especially when that "authority" is dumber than a brick...and my letter of apology to bricks will be forthcoming. However, when I'm being paid well to put up with stupidity, I can...and do.

Frankly, bootcamp teaches you to dress alike and put your gear away according to the rules; take orders from people because of their rank and not because of any actual leadership ability on their part; and take orders without question.

As far as brainwashing...that would imply the people in charge were capable of it...not when I was in.

If you go into Special Forces / Seal training, then you'll see more of the disconnect happen....although not usually within their own. You have to the "right" type for Special Forces / Seal. I think it's less the training, than it was in you to begin with.

Answer 7

It can use techniques that a lot of people don't really understand & feel isn't right. However I wish that everyone in this country had to go through it at least once like they do in other countries.

For myself, it didn't break me & it didn't have any negative lasting effects like your supposition suggests. It made me grow up, mature, learn to be a responsible person, and to be someone that others could depend on. BC taught me to Do The Right Thing, even when it hurts & especially then.

It also drove home the notion of cause & effect, while teaching me priciples like duty and honor & they gave me the skills to do the job I was assigned to do.

Boot camp changed me for the better & I'm grateful.

Answer 8

In BCT people that were already weak or had "issues" might have had some of the problems you describe. Most of us just came out a little more confident and in better shape.
A person does not need to be broken down to become capable of killing someone. I have three children and would, without hesitation, use whatever force I deemed necessary to protect them.

Answer 9

Well, it really depends what branch you join. I joined the Navy in Nov of 99 and I had the time of my life in boot camp. I'd go back in a heartbeat. I was the fittest I had ever been in my entire life after wards. They don't brainwash you, its more physical training and a lot of classroom study teaching you all about the Navy. I guess it all depends on how mentally stable you are before you go.

Answer 10

Bull... Basic teaches you that all are one and the same. The one's who don't like it are those who have always relied on being part of a certain group to shore up their self worth. Strip that away and make it what you do is most important, many can't handle that. Basic brings out the best in people and is something that will make you a better, brighter person that can cut through the crap of peoples insecurities.