What if you refuse to obey a drill instructor?

Question

Aside from the obvious, what happens if he tells you to do push-ups, but you don't do those either?

How disobedient can one be?

If they can't physically hit you, couldn't you just run your mouth all day?

I was just watching "Stripes" and it really made me think...

Thanks to all the people who actually replied without aseptic and most simplistically indurate intent (i.e. "you are too weak to handle the military!")

thanks, i wasn't thinking about signing up

should've posted this in the movies forum

Sorry, James M, I did not mean to offend such sensitive ears with a mundane question of this nature

Next time I will keep you in mind before asking anything ever again.

Answer 1

Yea, let me know when you get out of traction.

Answer 2

Refuse To Obey

Answer 3

You would be charged with Article 92 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, Disobeying a direct order or regulation. If the the Commander was nice he would then choose non-judicial punishment issue you an Article 15 and have you dishonorably discharged from the Military. If your Commander was not nice he would have you actually Charged with Article 92 and recommend Court Martial where you would go to Jail and then be dishonorably discharged.

Answer 4

Under the UCMJ you can be tried on several charges, insubordination, failure to obey a non-commissioned officer etc....

Depending on the mood of the convening authority, you can be discharge or brought before a general court martial. If found guilty you can spend serious time in jail. There is no parole for federal/military offenses.

Is being a smart ass really worth that much trouble?

Answer 5

Correct the drills technically cannot hit you, key word technically. kinda like you technically cannot speed. Also, the Drills cannot Make you push if you refuse...BUT everyone else in your platoon can keep pushing. When everyone else is following the lawfull orders of a Drill and you punk out they pay for it and later that night so will you. Go watch FULL METAL JACKET....have fun PVT. Pyle.

Answer 6

You can not be disobedient at all. You are under the Uniform Code of Military Justice. You can be brought to a court martial, non-judicial punishment and/or a bad conduct discharge.
Really wouldn't advise going this way.

Answer 7

In the Marines when I was in, it was nothing to be sucker punched in the gut by a DI while standing at attention. I seen many a recruit being assaulted including yours truly.

They had a favorite torture exercise called bouncing: Assume the squatting position, hands behind your head and start bouncing until your legs were on fire. If you stop in pain the DI will give you more pain by kicking you until you started bouncing again.

BTDT

Wasn't my idea of serving my country.

Answer 8

Well, how can I put this. "THANK YOU RECRUIT JONES. FOR MAKING OUR LIVES HELL!"
"FOOTLOCKERS DUMP EM READY MOVE!"
-or-
"2 SHEETS AND A BLANKET READY MOVE!"
-or-
"FRONT RACK POST ONLINE READY MOVE"
-or-
"MATTRESSES IN THE RAIN ROOM READY MOVE"
-or-
"Oh, You wanna be an individual huh? GET ON MY QUARTERDECK!"

They can think of many many games to keep you and everybody else occupied. Of course there's also nothing illegal about you running into his fist either. It's just happens sometimes you know? Recruits don't watch where they're going.

Edit: Like the guy under me says, if you cause other recruits to play these games you WILL fear lights out, cause that's when the justice mice come out to play and either scribble your name into 3-4 slots on the firewatch list or visit your rack personally.

Answer 9

Sure they can't touch you, but they will make everyone else in your unit do the work because you wont. Then, at night, all of those people will beat the **** out of you! And if you tell on those people, they will beat the **** out of you again.

Basic training is meant to teach you what you need, including teamwork. If you go against the grain, everyone else suffers. Eventually it comes back to you.

Answer 10

Yeah, they can make you do pushups, run, side straddle hops and all that, but if you refuse to do that, they can hit you where it really hurts....your wallet.

An article 15 can take pay from you, now i dont know who is truly ok with giving up money, but most soldiers don't want to give up what little pay we get. And yes, this was a stupid question.

Answer 11

In extreme cases, you can be tried by court martial. Then it's whatever the sentence is. Other than that, you can earn yourself a dishonorable discharge, or any number of non-judicial punishments.