If a drill instructor?

Question

says something about your mother and your mother is dead how do you go about that?

Answer 1

I will consider it as an insult to me. But its better for you to ignore it, don't retaliate. According to the most intelligent Prophet, " Father forgive them for they do not know what they are doing."

Answer 2

Boot Camp is a lot about the physical training... but the training schedule, the way recruits are treated, the way they move recruits from one place to another... It's all for the mental side of boot camp. it's all for a purpose.. If all they do is teach you how to work out, they've not created a team... a brotherhood... the sense of which will be imprinted on your DNA by the time you leave boot camp. To do that, they have to effect your mind and your emotions... they grab at whatever straw they think they can use to make that change... because it's their job.. and because they know that having the "brotherhood" mindset will save your life at some point in the future.

And so... If you can keep in mind that NOTHING the DI's say to recruits is personal... it sounds personal.. it feels like they know you inside and out... But it's about the changing of your mindset... Then perhaps it will be easier for you to "suck it up" as some here have suggested.

You'll have to make the call... but I would recommend NOT saying anything about your mom being dead... I can sort of hear it in my head...

He says, Does your mom wear combat boots??
You say, No, Drill Instructor!
He says, Why not?
You say, This recruit's mother is deceased.

His JOB is to make your mental attitude stronger than any emotional stuff you may be feeling... he's going to do that by digging at you where you're the weakest... so now he's got his button to push throughout the remainder of boot camp...

And, for recruits... boot camp quickly becomes ALL about flying under the radar... doing whatever you can to NOT draw attention to yourself... or set yourself apart from the other recruits.

Answer 3

You don't respond. Drill instructors say everything they can to break you. It is part of there mental stratagies. Just pretend it does not effect you. They are trying to get you prepared mentally as well.

Answer 4

You don't do a thing. Deal with it. Drill Instructors play a game. That's all it is.
If it really offends you, ask to speak with him or her in private, and tell them your mother is dead, and he'll most likely make sure not to do it again.
That's how my T.I. was.
When someone in my flight had a LEGITIMATE reason to be offended about something he said, he made sure not to offend that person again.

Answer 5

You suck it up, but in reality this should never be an issue. Unless they said something like your mother isn't here to take care of you. That is a true statement. Words will never kill you and real life will be a lot harder on you that your DI will ever be to you.

Answer 6

Go about what? If you can't handle a drill instructor saying disparaging remarks about your dead mother, how can we give you a security clearance or trust you with life and death decisions? There's no room for panseys!

Answer 7

they used to call us maggots a lot but i don't know about mother jokes. When I got to basic they had us fill out forms about stuff like that so they would know and could avoid anything to awkward. They don't really hate you there they just act that way they want to brake you down to build you up.

Answer 8

well if its a drill instructor u suck it up although it is sad cuz u talk back and then you will be on the ground doing 100 pushups

Answer 9

You could say, Sir, with all due respect, Pvt. Jones's mother has passed away, Sir! The ball will be in his court, at this point. Chances are he will not make reference to your mother, again.

Give the DI the benefit of the doubt. He is not aware that your mother is deceased, so for you to react to his ill timed reference, will not serve you well. You need him to be somewhat on your side, if you expect to survive boot camp.

Answer 10

In BOOT you keep your mouth shut unless asked a question. What would YOU do? Punch the DI out?
Grow up!