Nope it sure isn't. I was appauled when I heard this about a year ago from an Army buddy. He even said the DI's can't touch them anymore and that the trainees can and will write up a DI for "infringement". Bring back the good ol days when a 1/3rd of your platoon washed out the first couple days.
Did your "army buddy" have "Drill Instructors" at the same "Boot Camp" that WyattEarp is referring too?
lol
DIs have not been allowed to put hands on recruit since 78-79. I went through Ft. Jackson in 1980. But 10 minutes in the front-lean-rest postition will have you wishing that the DI had popped you one instead. This all a bunch of crap. My daughter went through basicin 2003. No stress cards were present at Ft. Leonardwood, either.
I'm sure if they ever did come out with "stress cards", an on-the-ball DI would simply tell the recruit to do push-up or sit-ups while they "composed themselves." If it were me, I'd give them a full hour to do so, while standing ramrod straight at the position of attention.
Why? What a waste of resources. This military is different than what was drafted or even joined in the VOLAR army times.