Low Recruit Discipline Prompts Army to Redesign Basic Training

[Dame]

'A SENSE OF ENTITLEMENT'

"What leaders have observed in general is they believe that there is too much of a sense of entitlement, questioning of lawful orders, not listening to instruction, too much of a buddy mentality with NCOs and officers and a lot of tardiness being late to formation and duties," Frost said. "These are trends that they see as increasing that they think are part of the discipline aspect that is missing and that they would like to see in the trainees that become soldiers that come to them as their first unit of assignment."

Now I'm no expert but based on the image they include with the article, they have some pretty basic issues just wearing the same shoes and staying in step.

Low Recruit Discipline Prompts Army to Redesign Basic Training

 

[Marauder06]

The shoes thing might be because they either haven't been fitted for boots yet, or they're about to do some "uniform PT." Even in the active force we sometimes train in uniform but in tennis shoes.

The out of step thing? Unless they're at "route step" yeah I've got nothing.

 

[Teufel]

Sometimes duffelblog articles write themselves.

 

[DocIllinois]

This could also be a combined formation of PT profiles being marched off to some shitty detail while everyone else works out.

The out of step thing could indicate that they're in an early and awkward phase of Basic or in Reception, and Private First Squad, Fourth One Back is about to get some Drill reinforcement to pay attention to her step. Fifth One Back has already spotted the mistake.


"By early summer, new recruits will go through Army BCT that's designed to instill strict discipline and esprit de corps by placing a new emphasis in drill and ceremony, inspections, pride in military history while increasing the focus on critical training such as physical fitness, marksmanship, communications and battlefield first aid skills."

This is an excellent description of my Basic circa 1993, so in truth its nothing revolutionary we're talking here. Perhaps BCT goes through cycles of change/ reset that match the cycles of war/ reset that the military goes through.

 

[DA SWO]

1st guy glaring at the camera, LOL.

 

[Gunz]

In a society that promotes trigger warnings, safe spaces, sensitivity seminars, inclusivity, diversity and assorted other touchy-feely bullshit, of course its going to effect the military and discipline in the ranks.

This is not Sparta. Unfortunately.

 

[policemedic]

The problem is obvious. The Drill Sergeant is not Infantry.

 

[Grunt]

Boot Camp is there to break the individual down from their selfish, entitled selves into an effective member of a team.

If there is a breakdown in that chain, it's because of a failure on the part of the command. Recruits don't get to have their individual wants. If they do, they should leave after being kicked out.

It's the Army's house...you play by their rules or leave.

At least that's how it happens in the house of Agoge....

 

[Topkick]

In a society that promotes trigger warnings, safe spaces, sensitivity seminars, inclusivity, diversity and assorted other touchy-feely bullshit, of course its going to effect the military and discipline in the ranks.

This is not Sparta. Unfortunately.

We can reflect and say how it was "back in the day" but I don't see it going back. You may be able to tighten up their shot group a little but political correctness and social experimentation has changed the game and I dont think you can go back to the "good ole days."

 

[Devildoc]

We can reflect and say how it was "back in the day" but I don't see it going back. You may be able to tighten up their shot group a little but political correctness and social experimentation has changed the game and I dont think you can go back to the "good ole days."

Kinda agree. Instead of making society conform to military standards we have to make military standards conform to society. It's a different society now and if they want to meet quotas the military needs to do something different.

 

[Topkick]

The problem is obvious. The Drill Sergeant is not Infantry.

Your post does bring up one issue. The Drill Sergeant has apparently excepted substandard performance from some recruits in this example. Today's Jr NCOs are part of this "entitled" generation and they are the ones who are tasked with enforcing the standards. If you want higher standards, start with fixing and supporting the NCO Corps. I'll climb down off my 1SG soapbox now.X-D

 

[policemedic]

Your post does bring up one issue. The Drill Sergeant has apparently excepted substandard performance from some recruits in this example. Today's Jr NCOs are part of this "entitled" generation and they are the ones who are tasked with enforcing the standards. If you want higher standards, start with fixing and supporting the NCO Corps. I'll climb down off my 1SG soapbox now.X-D

My post was obviously in jest, but you’re not wrong. That picture is a snapshot in time and we haven’t got the context to say exactly what’s going on. It would be unfair to blame the DS for what we see when a second before the picture was taken he may have bellowed our corrections or these kids literally just got their uniforms and think “march” is a month.

You’re spot on about the NCO Corps, though. A strong NCO Corps is the backbone of the Army and it’s worth putting in the effort to ensure that our high ethical, training and performance standards are upheld at all levels of leadership.

 

[Gunz]

Boot Camp is there to break the individual down from their selfish, entitled selves into an effective member of a team.

If there is a breakdown in that chain, it's because of a failure on the part of the command. Recruits don't get to have their individual wants. If they do, they should leave after being kicked out.

It's the Army's house...you play by their rules or leave.

At least that's how it happens in the house of Agoge....

I hope this doesn't start happening in the Corps...or maybe it has.

 

[CDG]

I hope this doesn't start happening in the Corps...or maybe it has.

I work with a handful of Marines right now, and they all lament the same thing.

 

[Marine0311]

I work with a handful of Marines right now, and they all lament the same thing.

How so?

 

[CDG]

How so?

They say NCOs aren't allowed to be NCOs. Kids run crying to the PL, Gunny, SGM, etc, and then it's the NCOs who get crushed. Remedial PT is treated as hazing.

 

[Ooh-Rah]

They say NCOs aren't allowed to be NCOs. Kids run crying to the PL, Gunny, SGM, etc, and then it's the NCOs who get crushed. Remedial PT is treated as hazing.

I kinda wish I didn’t read that.

 

[CDG]

I kinda wish I didn’t read that.

A lot of them say it's driving good dudes out after 1 or 2 enlistments.

 

[Florida173]

Bring back wall to wall counseling

 

[Poccington]

I hope this doesn't start happening in the Corps...or maybe it has.

It's happening all over the globe mate.

Recruits have too much power these days, be it British, Irish, American troops... The pendulum has swung way too far in the favour of Recruits and it has an adverse effect on discipline that is plain to see.