Re: Re: Re: Re: Armed Forces


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Posted by Leland on September 02, 2003 at 16:08:42:

In Reply to: Re: Re: Re: Armed Forces posted by jim (been there) on September 01, 2003 at 23:41:33:

Been there too --

"Cruelty" is a very harsh word, and I think it's wholly inappropriate. It might have applied in some circumstances way back when, but even Marine boot camp is still not impossible.

Drill instructors yell & scream in a recruit's face because it's simply not safe to create a stressful environment by setting off grenades in the squadbay. They don't want to kill off potentially outstanding Marines.

Physical training (PT) is tough, of course, but it's designed to strengthen, not destroy. Marines, for example, spend eight weeks running around with a lot of PT, then two weeks at the range while the body rebuilds itself, then another two weeks "in the field" when the body is at its strongest.

Even "incentive training", "IT", is there to strengthen the mind and the body. Pushups, running in place, mountain climbers, jumping jacks, Godzillas (make a pile of sand, then kick it down, while roaring like a giant lizard), and other.. ahem.. motivational activities can be viewed as high-level aerobic exercises. Mentally speaking, all a recruit has to do is tell himself that he won't quit. If he can do that, then he'll be fine.

Boot camp is not just to teach regulations and wear & care of the uniform. The armed forces are in the business of warfighting. That's serious stuff, and there's only so much that they can teach without actually blowing anybody up.


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