Question for NCO's from former soldier?

Question

Now that I'm out, and can't be "smoked" for asking this question. Why in the hell all the abuse in the Army? I mean I can understand P.T and training, and mental discipline, but I went through the last so called "Hardcore" bootcamp in '99 and only 30 made it past basic training out of 60 guys. It just seamed alot of that crap was uneccesary. I remember this guy that joined our unit, and he was small and they fuked with him majorly, I can't figure out why. They tortured him so much, that he lost control of his facial movements, and had slurred speach. They also made him carry 175lbs. on his back when he only weighed 130. Is it because on the outside you would get your asses kicked real bad, that in the military because you have rank and troops to back you up, you take it out on who you want? It was like never ending. It didn't make me tougher one bit. If anything I was more broken down after my 5 years than when I signed up. Wouldn't you want everyone to be in super shape?

Answer 1

The reason they did that to him believe this or not was to save his life. They have to "weed-out" the less physicaly and phycologicaly fit to insure survival of the unit. I am a combat-veteran, from many years ago. and believe me, if you thought that your training was tough, you surely would not make it in a combat situation. It's not just the physicaly fit, but the phycologicaly fit as well. If they succeed in "Breaking" someone either way, They have done their job well. And probably saved countless lives. Can you imagine being in a fox-hole, getting a leg-blown-off, and having to rely on the guy with facial twitches, who cannot lift 175 lbs. to carry your 220 lb. wounded body back to the rear for medevac? It aint happening, and your both dead. I know it's a harsh world living the life of a soldier believe me! But if they pampered everyone and catered to all their need's, where would our military be? If they have you do something, it's only because it has been done before you, and they want to make sure that you can make the standard. If you can do that, Then you might have a chance of surviving a combat situation. If a bullet has your name on it, you are not going to make it chances are. They want to make sure the guy next to you is not going to ball-up in a fetal position and cry his eyes out when it happens. That he will be able to get you to the rear, or that he can continue the mission without losing it. It takes a certain type to fight war's man, they just make sure they have the right ones for the job. It's been that way forever, and it's nothing personal. That being said, if you were "Broken-Down" as you put it just after 5 years, i can tell you this, you were in the wrong buisness. And it does not make you weak what-so-ever! you just were not soldier material, and that is all. You should still hold your head high for defending our nation for the 5 years you did! God-Bless you for that! I felt qualified to answer your question seeing I have 20 years in the Special Forces, (retired now), And have heard the same question many times over the years. I have been giving this answer the whole time. Hope it help's you. 1st. Sgt., 7th Special Forces, (Ret.) Vietnam, "67"-"70"

Answer 2

Maybe the Boy scouts would have been a better calling for you.
What do you think happens in comabat ? Do you think you get breaks for a meal and a nap ? Do you think you can retrieve your dead buddie's body and carry it back with you while still carrying your crap ? The training is about survival in the worst of times so that you know what to do when the ---- hits the fan.
If you didn't get in better condition than you were a slacker and didn't put forth the effort to improve - shame on you and you would not survive.
Let's be real about this - some people are meant to serve and others are not. Thank you for your service and it sounds like you made the right decision to get out at your e.a.s.

Answer 3

That might have been BCT back then, but not now. Now, they are way too easy on them. They can't be given any stress. It's part of the reason there's a decline in the quality of the soldier. It's just too easy now. Most of these guys now barely respect the Drill Sergeant. You can't call them girls or sissies or even cuss at them. At least back then, you knew you buddy was going to be able to carry his load. You knew he had your back. Now all these guys think it's all about them. They truly believe in "An Army of One". They think they're that one. Nobody should be picked on or singled out, but they need to be alot tougher than they are. Look at the rank they leave BCT with now. Back in the day, you didn't see your first stripe til you got to your first duty station. Now they leave as PFC's and SPC's alot of times. Yes, it was rough back then, but you were ready for the battles ahead of you. These Drill Sergeants now have their hands full trying to train these guys. My hubby is a Drill on the same post he did his BCT at 18 years ago. Things have definitely changed and not all for the better.

EDIT: "O", I suggest you thank a soldier for your freedom to spew such ignorance instead of bashing him. Just where do you think you'd be without all the military personel that have died to protect you and your rights and your freedoms. Show some respect and don't hide behind a computer insulting people unless you know facts about what's going on in the world, which obviously you don't.

"Perry N", maybe you should show the DS some respect for what they do. I think that attitude is ridiculous and stupid. You call yourself an NCO. You should be ashamed. DS are the way they are because they're trained to be that way so they can train the new recruits to SURVIVE. Until you've walked in their shoes, don't judge. Not everyone that's a DS volunteered....many are selected. And there's NO honor in purposely failing, especially when what you do can be what keeps a young recruit alive.

Answer 4

Yeah I hear ya. My dad was a marine DI for 14 years. I have 3 sisters and 2 brothers. We are pretty close in age as I look back on especially my teenage years living with that man I am suprised none of us killed him. I can remember at the age of 8 gettin woke up at 4 in the morning by an ugly mean face shouting at the top of his lungs get your lazy azzes up! We had to have our beds made perfect, I had to learn to spit shine his boots march in line and say the ranks in order in ten seconds or no breakfast. By 10 I could take his M1 apart clean it put it back together quicker then most people could say rifle. None of us could ever do anything right no matter our grades or when we excelled in sports. He was always inventing new jobs for us to minimize our social lives.It was hard to have any self confidense. I never went into the service not because I was afraid of fighting, but because I was afraid I'd turn out like him. Happy to say I didn't nor any of us. Anyway I can see where you are coming from and I thank you for serving. Unfortunatley because of this barbaric world we live in the military is needed and we have the best bar none. I guess I'd live that life over again and take his **** if it meant perserving our freedom to have an eqaual chance to live our lives as we want. (within the bounds of the laws of course) I just wish we could do it with out any #&*##* DI's!!

Answer 5

NCO's should train, motivate and discipline enlisted soldiers.
Do all of them use correct techniques...perhaps not, or perhaps it was not a technique you liked to be used on you.
"Hardcore" bootcamp.....try 12 weeks during the Vietnam era, and they did slam you up against the wall lockers also...ok, so now I can be bounced up against a wall locker and shake it off!
They gave a guy 175 lbs to carry on his back!!!!!! Hell a full combat ruck in SF for a 10 day operations weighs about 68 lbs!
Ok, you didn't like it, that is why the military isn't for everyone, but maybe you should of said....Hummm when I become a NCO, I will motivate my team, squad, etc., in this way. Or when I become a NCO I can lead my men without threatening them?

So, I thank you for serving your country, and wish you the best of luck in your civilian career.

Answer 6

They had hardcore bootcamp in '99? I went through US Marine Corps bootcamp in 1990. We had a high dropout rate started with 120+ and ended up graduating with around 60. They werent even allowed to swear when I went through. They said God Dang and stuff like that. It wasnt as hard as I thought, but I come from a family of Marines where I knew what to expect.

Vince

Answer 7

Unfortunate but one hears of such things. Probably it has more to do with the training or commanding officers' individual mindsets than the institution of Military. The stress of the confined and disciplined atmosphere is known to cause sadistic tendencies in some of the officers and men in authority. May be time to think of 'humanizing" the Military. It is an universal concern.

Answer 8

Pity you didnt leave in a body bag you piece of shi.t. Going on that killing thousands of Iraqis is justified. They were never at war with America. America attacked them because Americas own government organised for 2 planes to fly into the twin towers & a missile hit the pentagon, yes it was a missile not a plane. You may think your real macho because you have killed little kids & babies but trust me mate you will meet your maker. I predict that you will live out the rest of your life feeling as empty & depressed as you do at the moment. If i was you I would get it over with & blow your head off. You know it makes sense d.ickhead!!!!!!!

Answer 9

Hey - I am in right now (E-5) and I can tell you, that if what you are saying is true, this NCO was a sh*t-bag. #1 mission is to take care of soldiers and to see that the mission is accomplished. How is that taking care of soldiers? What mission did he accomplish? none.

therefore - said NCO is a Sh*t-bag

Also - I hate drill sergeants and whenever I see one, or one with that stupid patch on his uniform, I start giving them a hard time. i.e. acting like I have no idea what is going on. Oh, believe me, they get theirs.

Answer 10

I was in the Army. The truth is the Army is $hit. F-the army.