I once belonged to a judo club run by Japanese Imperial veterans (in the 1960’s). They could be pretty brutal but a Caucasian black belt told me that the treatment was fairly typical of the Kodokan where he acquired his black belt. I learned to appreciate the interest the sensei’s took in the young “round eyes” when I realized they just wanted to make us strong. Of course, that kind of thing can be taken too far, like when trainees are killed in boot camp.
You weren’t 8 years old though, neither are the people in boot camp. Although I’d say if people are regularly dying in boot camp, you’re doing it wrong.