I have to say as an ex-military man, I don't necessarily think that the abusive language and in-your-face screaming was effective in building a soldier. My DI rarely raised his voice. His cold disapproving tone when you screwed up was enough... that, and cleaning the head until 3am.
Discipline is needed, but not insults and yelling.
Your are exactly right. I remember went I went through basic training that my platoon DS rarely raised his voice - yet he was without a doubt the most respected DS in the entire company. On the other hand, our company had other DS that screamed and yelled just about all the time. While it was jarring at first, it got old really quick. It didn't take too long for people to start laughing at those DS behind their back; they became something of a joke. That could never be said for my platoon's DS. He did raise his voice very often, but when he did he would put the fear of God into you.
I agree. The best DI and the best NONCOM I knew in the army never once raised their voices except to be heard over the din.
Using fear to motivate people to perform is highly inefficient. Real leaders know this and don't waste their time or energy on it.
I take this exact approach in coaching little league. I NEVER chastize a player for making a mistake. I make sure they know what they did, and how to fix it. They either get it or they don't. Me screaming at them is not going to change that, either way.
Making people afraid to make mistakes is a sure fire way to make a lot of mistakes happen.
Exactly, our TO (training officer) never yelled at us, but that didn't mean we weren't somewhat afraid of him, or that we didn't come out of the training respecting him. Many even wanted to go into the same career field as he was in. Missile operations. Which was part of the point, as not many folks really want to sit in a hole. But, at least at the time, we needed folks who would, and do it absolutely correctly.
"Discipline is needed, but not insults and yelling."
There is no 'one size fits all' method of developing people. What works for one will not work for all. I submit that insults and yelling will be dismissed by some as chaff (that's what I did) but is effective for most.
Ever go thru SERE school? There was no kumbaya in SERE school.
I agree.
In fact, in the movie the D.I. I do not think Jack Webb did much yelling.
I remember him getting in people's faces.
It is the pressure, the knowledge that something is going to be done right the first time, that is needed to prepare them for military life, not yelling or cursing.