I was in the US Army from 1965 to 1986. Very seldom did officers drill the troops, the closest they came was when we’d have a pass in review parade. The only people I heard use “attention” were young officers and very young NCOs.
We seldom saw officers in Basic, they were only involved if major disciplinary action was needed.
Then I don’t know how you got confused about officers and calling people to attention, but my experience was different from yours, I would have laughed at you for yelling tin huts at me.