p,
Oh, it's not new at all.
I went through basic training in 1989, and none of the cadre laid a hand on a recruit beyond what was essential for training purposes. No foul language, no sexual language, etc.
Plenty of shouting though. And the bit another poster wrote about the cleaning rod upside the helmet was familiar.
But yeah, by and large drill instructors are skilled enough at their jobs that they can bring the best out of their trainees without having to beat them up.
I learned that you really had to start worrying when the DI stopped yelling. Usually a creative group punishment -- err motivation -- followed (1977).