Stress card? Who needs a stress card?

Question

Just read about a Army Basic Training Stress card. I've heard about them. But I've never seen one or met anyone who admitted ever having one in basic training.

Did anyone in here actually have a stress card when YOU were in basic training?? If so, what basic training post were you at?

Not heard of them, or knew a guy who knew a guy.

Answer 1

Im retired Army, the stress card has turned into an urban legend, that was a test in basic training over a decade ago and it was never put into use. there is no stress card, soldiers don't go on a time out or take a break. basic training is very intense, no physical contact in a derogatory manner is allowed, no "cussing" is allowed, but let me tell you, I never had to cuss to get a Soldier to understand when I meant business.

Answer 2

Stress cards... When I first heard of this I was working in Iraq as a DoD contractor. I am an former army officer from 1975-1979. Most of the other guys I worked with were retired Army or former Army....most having going out within the last 5 years. These are the guy who told me about these cards.

Some one told me they were pink; if true, gee what a surprise. But I have also heard that they were yellow......yeah, well..

I just find it incredulous especially since the vast majority of soldier will serve in Iraq or Afghanistan.

Answer 3

Never seen or met anyone who actually got any. I think it was a concept that was thought about, but not actually used. I know that my Drill Sergeants talked about them, but we didn't have any, it was used in put-downs, like "do you need your mommy? or maybe a stress card?"

I went through in '98, and no one I met in my 8 years in the service admitted to having them, but as to the above poster, the "myth" started soon after Clinton took office, it was widely believed that it was one of his ideas to make basic easier on new soldiers.

Answer 4

I don't know of anyone, but I have a comment - I think the concept is kinda funny, in a way. I mean, training is supposed to make a soldier ready for WAR, combat, the possibility of killing and/or dying. Can you imagine someone over in Iraq or Afghanistan yelling out to the enemy in a firefight, "HEY! STOP! I HAVE MY STRESS CARD, AND I'M NOT AFRAID TO USE IT! I NEED A TIME OUT!" hmmmmmmmm.....

Answer 5

A stress card? LMAO well I hope they know that it isn't gonna work when they get sent over to Iraq, oh shi* I can see it now, anyone carrying it gets caught and being interrogated will rip out their stress card and ask if they can go see their Capt's , we are in trouble lmao. I'm thinking if they need a stress card they aren't needing to be in the service, talk about your high stress occupations Geeesh!!!

Answer 6

I know they passed out this plastic card that you put your thumb on the square - and it's supposed to tell if you're stressed by your thumb tempreture. I think that was a joke though.

Answer 7

not when i went in 87 but I've heard the navy has then and they cant even yell at you no more . i can see not yelling. i retired navy . in boot camp i learned nothing when they yelled at me . but this new generation cant handle nothing. when they show the stress card you get to visit thr chaplian . but if you show the card it shows weakness so the rest of youre company is going to give you hell for showing weakness. boot camp now is like summercamp.

Answer 8

i bet they come in handy when your fighting a winless war. I bet thats how they deal with daily stress of worrying about getting blowned up by a roadside bomb.

Answer 9

not when i went to boot, but my brother-in-law just graduated and he said they had them when he went through

Answer 10

do wat'?