Posted on 06/28/2005 6:03:43 AM PDT by cll
Wait a second. I went through Reception Station Fort Dix in '83. We got there after midnight also. All the yelling we got was from other trainees when we entered the barracks and disrupted their sleep. Next day we were hand-held by a very nice E-4 to get our shots, uniforms, haircuts, etc. It wasn't too bad at all. They even gave us sodas and ice cream at the mess hall. I kept saying to myself, this boot camp stuff is easy.
Until the cattle wagons arrived. They stuffed us, well, like cattle with our duffle bags still attached to our backs. The same E-4 waving us goodbye with a smile. Then the doors opened when we got to our actual training unit. It reminds me of that scene in what's-its-name movie of fresh russian soldiers arriving by cattle car at Stalingrad...
"changed from running in boots during PT to running in sneakers."
Really? Are we really wearing sneakers? This is not just an exaggerated joke?
AND...this reporter should be satified that the Army initiated an investigation that led to convictions. What more do they want? Cash settlements where sissies and their families don't need to work for the rest of their lives?
They were clearly off base with that behavior.
Can't train them?
Screw it, break them so your incompetence is forever hidden.
Far lass than they would get in a war zone!
82nd ABN 1/508th BN Bco
"fury from the sky"
When you're on welfare, you have to go get your check.
It's unconfirmed for a reason.
Our drop zones weren't too bad, either.
Jump School at Benning during the summer never did seem like a good time to me.
I'm not kidding. Running shoes, running shorts...the works.
In most BT companies there was always a platoon of the injured, and the wash-outs. The DI's called them openly "Jerry's Kids".
A marching cadence, which the DI's led us with as we marched past a female company went like this: "They say that in the Army the women are mighty fine...they're short fat and ugly and march like Frankenstein".
And yes, boot camp is now integrated also.
This was instituted during slick willie.
They also determined that the packs were too heavy for the 'girls' so they bring them up to the front in a truck instead.
All standards are lower for 'girls' and now it seems we're to lower the standards for the boys too.
Heaven help us.
Sounds like my brother's experience at Camp LeJeune (sp?)
"The Company Commander lined us up at attention, walked up to the young man and brought his heel down on the bridge of his foot breaking it.....The guy processed out that week and we started winning competitions....."
Your company commander sounds like a real wimp. The Rooskies take new recruits and beat them mercilessly. Dropkicks to the face and chest aren't uncommon. It's not unusual for recruits to die from the abuse during basic but I'm sure it just makes the survivors tough. After all, look at what a great army they have. Your commmander should have pistol-whipped the guy and then broken his digits one by one. That would have really showed what a real leader he was.
507th PIR Cherry Jumper. Became an aviator after that (UH-1, UH-60, C-12).
After that it was Air Assault School. Motto: "Too scared too jump, too lazy to walk, Chocking Chickens, Hooah!"
Agree. Never during my 8 1/2 years did I ever lay a hand on my soldiers.
If I really needed to give one of my subordinates "a positive learning experience", I'd let myself get creative, like "go down to the motor pool and get a bucket of steam, and clean that jeep's engine".
As a platoon leader, I had the nukeular option. The trooper had a choice: he could shape up and continue to enjoy the benefits of being stationed on an Air Force Base (Hahn), or he could get transferred in 48 hours to our sister battalion at the 1st Infantry Division.
With very few exceptions, the young men would straighten up.
The above quote from a "new" recruit mix in one "AP" -- The Associated Quislings" -- & add the recent drumbeat of that same AP announcing recruiting goals are not being met & y'know what it spells, my friend?
*Shill*
...Americans are painfully stupid.
This comes down to a question of discipline, not the "discipline" the DIs or the Company Commander thought that they would instill in the recruits, but the lack of discipline the DIs and the Company Commander showed by making up their own rules instead of following established policy and orders.
Exactly, It is amazing how many people think we need to abuse people to make an army. These rules have been around for TWENTY years. I think the results speak for themselves. If a DI can't follow them kick 'em out. Rule breakers are no example for the new recruits.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.