[misterrob]

A kick in the ass is warranted know and then as is a good ass ripping. I never said that doesn't play a role. Plenty of ways to inspire leadership and performance without screaming all the time either.

[fr_freak]

Plenty of ways to inspire leadership and performance without screaming all the time either.

The US military isn't just about self-actualization, you know. Its primary function is combat. Combat is extremely stressful. In fact, just the initial mobilizations in preparation for combat can be extremely stressful. Basic training gets you used to being in an extremely stressful environment while still forcing yourself to perform. That is its main purpose. The truth is that even in peacetime, the life of a combat soldier will be very hard at times, and you need to be accustomed to dealingwith that. Wussifying Basic training (more than it already has been wussified) simply leaves soldiers unprepared for reality once they hit the streets of Iraq or Afghanistan.