Posted on 10/10/2006 5:50:58 PM PDT by neverdem
Associated Press
WASHINGTON — Hollywood may have to tone down its portrayal of the military's screaming, in-your-face boot camp drill sergeant. In today's Army, shouting is out and a calmer approach to molding young minds is in, says the head of Pentagon personnel. The Army says it has reduced by nearly 7 percent the number of recruits who wash out in the first six to 12 months of military life.
"Part of it is changing the nature of how it treats people in basic training," David S. Chu, undersecretary for personnel and readiness, said Tuesday.
That means "less shouting at everyone, in essence, which some of you may remember from an earlier generation as being the modus operandi," he said.
The changes started about a year ago, as defense officials looked for ways to make drillmasters more effective, said Lt. Col. Mike Jones, head of Army National Guard recruiting.
He said the old way was to "talk loud, talk often, get their attention" _ shock treatment to teach discipline and mold the newly recruited civilian into a soldier.
But trainers found today's generation responded better to instructors who took "a more counseling" type role, Jones said, using strong tactics when needed but keeping them the exception instead of the rule.
The approach has had two positive results, he said: It has lowered attrition among those who go through training each year and has eased one of the greatest fears of recruits _ their fear over whether they can make it through basic training.
Other changes aimed at improving graduation rates include such things as letting recruits with injuries or minor medical problems remain in the service, heal, and then go back to training. Before, an injury would have meant discharge, training officials said.
Numbers differ from service to service and depend on what the recruit is being trained for. Those training to be Navy SEALS or other special forces may wash out at the rate of 70 percent. Those training to be truck drivers may have an 80 percent graduation rate.
But Chu said that across all services, generally, some two-thirds of recruits finish their enlistment period _ typically three or four years.
Of the third who don't make it, half bomb out in the first six to 12 months, Chu said, adding that the attrition rate is better than most private sector firms.
Keeping a balance in the number flushed out of the service is important. Too many dropouts and you lose people you really want to keep. Too few dropouts, and you are keeping people you should have let go, Chu said.
Both the military and police academies are moving away from harder-edged approaches to training, he said.
"However much it may be satisfying from the shouter's perspective, it really isn't the best way to shape young people for the future," Chu said.
He made the comments as he announced that all active duty services had met their recruiting goals for the budget year ended Sept. 30. The Marine Corps Reserve met its goal and the Air Force Reserve exceeded its goal, but they were exceptions among guard and reserve forces, some of which have seen "heavy use" due to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, Chu said.
On the Net:
Army Training and Doctrine Command
Why don't they just issue them a dress and be done with it.
Great. Richard Simmons reporting for Drill Instructor duty sir!
LOL!
I hate it when tradition fades. I'm confident that no matter how soft they may be when they come out of basic, the NCO's at their first duty station will turn them into soldiers. I remember how we used to scoff and joke about the new privates and the latest boot camp rumors, but in the end we were soldiers all.
this thread is gonna get ugly.
"you are no longer turds. you are now maggots!"
Gimmee 20!
Out of the 12 Drill Sergeants our company had at Ft. Benning, only one EVER got out of control, and when he realized the problem he immediately corrected the problem and probably saved the kid's life.
I don't understand WHY they would mess with something that has been WORKING JUST FINE.
How much longer until we become like the progressive European countries and allow pony tails?
Because for the most part they are motivated, patriotic volunteers
Filter out the homosexual addicts, drug addicts, criminals, and terrorist surrogates and you have a force that simply needs to be trained and led.
`Oooh, get her. Whoops!
I got your number duckie, you couldn't afford me dear 2,3.
I'll scratch your eyes out!
Don't come the Brigadier bit with us dear,
we all know where you've been,
you military fairy, 2,3.
1,2,3,4,5,6,7 Whoops, don't look now girls
the major just minced in with the jolly colour sergeant.
2,3! Oooh.';
If the Dem's have control of the military, the Marine Corps Hymn will be "Kumbaya"
You still need to find out if they can perform under duress.
Adjusting to today's soft couch potato kids who have little mental or emotional resilience.
I kinda doubt it.
We don't want most Marines singing anyway :)
I don't think that will ever happen.
A pony tail would play hell with getting your pro-mask on.
The Euros might not care, but we do.
I have to say as an ex-military man, I don't necessarily think that the abusive language and in-your-face screaming was effective in building a soldier. My DI rarely raised his voice. His cold disapproving tone when you screwed up was enough... that, and cleaning the head until 3am.
Discipline is needed, but not insults and yelling.
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