Current Events > Does military boot camp actually build character?

(+) Yeah! (+)

Doe being screamed at and being treated like an animal actually let you preform in high stress situations?

Idk about the character part, but I would like to join a good weight loss program.
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Depends on if you think unquestioning, instantaneous obedience is character or not?
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If I didn't join the military at 18 right out of high school, i'm sure i'd be in jail by now. I was a complete fuck up with a bad attitude and it set my ass straight, taught me respect, got me in shape, and helped me with my confidence. It changed my life, the experience as a whole wasn't entirely positive, but i'd do it again in a second.

It helped me get a good job in the long run, and I thrive under pressure.

It may be entirely different for other people as mentioned, but yeah it did nothing but good things for me.

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Boot camp isn't about being screamed at and being treated like an animal really. Well, there is a lot of shouting but it's to help you overcome inhibitions about stress and detractors and complete your assignments while dealing with that.

In my experience though it can help bring out certain aspects in people but in general people don't leave with a greater understanding of what they're doing or why. IE, they leave there like it was just an obstacle to going on to a job they have a contract for.
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If by "build character" you mean "remove any individual identity", then yes.

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Garioshi posted...

If by "build character" you mean "remove any individual identity", then yes.

This is entirely false.

People come out of there with similar short haircuts and walking in step and whatever but otherwise it doesn't "remove individual identity".
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Yes
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Slayerblade11 posted...

Doe being screamed at

I've heard they don't do that anymore.

Garioshi posted...

If by "build character" you mean "remove any individual identity", then yes.

This isnt true

And yes. And you get screamed at for red phase which is 3 weeks. The rest of my 16 weeks were fun and easygoing
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Zikten posted...

Slayerblade11 posted...

Doe being screamed at

I've heard they don't do that anymore.

Depends on which boot camp you go to. It's a huge part of the Marine Corps boot camp experience. In the Navy it's been toned down for years, they will shout a little bit but then correct you, they don't have four people jump in your face and scream at you.
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Let's all take a step back and truly analyze what the phrase "builds character" means
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Hexenherz posted...

Zikten posted...

Slayerblade11 posted...

Doe being screamed at

I've heard they don't do that anymore.

Depends on which boot camp you go to. It's a huge part of the Marine Corps boot camp experience. In the Navy it's been toned down for years, they will shout a little bit but then correct you, they don't have four people jump in your face and scream at you.

I guess I was thinking of Army cause my dad was in that. he retired a very long time ago, but even back then like in the early 90's he claimed they had stopped doing it. he was an officer

Officer schools and enlisted schools are different, and I don't have as much experience with Army to be honest.

I still think shouting is tolerated. What's not tolerated is any sort of physical abuse of any kind. In the Navy, touching is absolutely prohibited unless it's explicitly to stop an unsafe situation.
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Garioshi posted...

If by "build character" you mean "remove any individual identity", then yes.

The identity you show up to boot camp with will be the same one you leave with.

The point of removing individuality while youre there is to encourage teamwork and unit cohesion. Its no longer about you, its about the mission and the guy to your left and right.

In USMC boot camp recruits arent even allowed to speak in the 1st person.

The yelling and tearing shit up is supposed to teach you to better handle tense situations.

Boot shining, bed making, cleaning you weapon and other shit teaches attention to detail.
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It can refine character traits and break bad character traits, if you let it.

But they're not going to outright break you, at least anymore.

But unless you straight quit or threaten self harm, you literally can't fail the basics anymore. Like they will legit just push you through for the actual Army/Navy/Marine/AF units to sort you out or get rid of you.

Zikten posted...

Slayerblade11 posted...

Doe being screamed at

I've heard they don't do that anymore.

I havent been screamed at in quite a while thank goodness 0_0
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MachineJaipur posted...

It can refine character traits and break bad character traits, if you let it.

But they're not going to outright break you, at least anymore.

But unless you straight quit or threaten self harm, you literally can't fail the basics anymore. Like they will legit just push you through for the actual Army/Navy/Marine/AF units to sort you out or get rid of you.

Worked with several guys who got booted out or convinced out for bullshit reasons.

Like serve some ping pong time and it's like "we don't need you anymore".
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PrettyBoyFloyd posted...

Worked with several guys who got booted out or convinced out for bulls*** reasons.

Like serve some ping pong time and it's like "we don't need you anymore".

Most people I've served with, and that got out, get out because the military isn't quite what they were expecting.

At least in the current administrations time, the branches are usually trying to keep people in AND add numbers.

Now some people are just ill fit for the demands of the military, either physically or mentally, and get adminned out for the "we don't need your services anymore" reasons

MachineJaipur posted...

PrettyBoyFloyd posted...

Worked with several guys who got booted out or convinced out for bulls*** reasons.

Like serve some ping pong time and it's like "we don't need you anymore".

Most people I've served with, and that got out, get out because the military isn't quite what they were expecting.

At least in the current administrations time, the branches are usually trying to keep people in AND add numbers.

Now some people are just ill fit for the demands of the military, either physically or mentally, and get adminned out for the "we don't need your services anymore" reasons

Usually the ones I knew it was because of weight and health.

I never got specific about why though.

I mean do guys and gals just quit staying fit after boot camp ?
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MachineJaipur posted...

PrettyBoyFloyd posted...

Worked with several guys who got booted out or convinced out for bulls*** reasons.

Like serve some ping pong time and it's like "we don't need you anymore".

Most people I've served with, and that got out, get out because the military isn't quite what they were expecting.

At least in the current administrations time, the branches are usually trying to keep people in AND add numbers.

Now some people are just ill fit for the demands of the military, either physically or mentally, and get adminned out for the "we don't need your services anymore" reasons

Many people I know who went in also wanted to get out as soon as possible. I dont understand what its so different now compared to the past. I come from a military family but I didnt join because I dont think its for me.
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It teaches you how to put up with bullshit, which you'll experience quite a bit if you want to make a career out of it. It took me about 3 weeks to get used to all of the yelling and hustle, some guys took longer, some never seemed phased by it.
And no, you don't lose your identity. All you lose is some hair on your head.
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PrettyBoyFloyd posted...

MachineJaipur posted...

PrettyBoyFloyd posted...

Worked with several guys who got booted out or convinced out for bulls*** reasons.

Like serve some ping pong time and it's like "we don't need you anymore".

Most people I've served with, and that got out, get out because the military isn't quite what they were expecting.

At least in the current administrations time, the branches are usually trying to keep people in AND add numbers.

Now some people are just ill fit for the demands of the military, either physically or mentally, and get adminned out for the "we don't need your services anymore" reasons

I mean do guys and gals just quit staying fit after boot camp ?

Basically yes. In some branches it's easier to get away with not working out every day (especially Air Force and Navy), so it's easier to slip away from the basic standards which aren't even that high to begin with. And then if the command doesn't enforce the physical readiness program that you have to go on if you fail, then you kinda slip through the cracks.

I'm sure people used to fail intentionally just to get kicked out early - it is an administrative discharge, you lose some but not all of your benefits and it doesn't ruin your prospects at getting a federal job afterwards so it's not the worst thing possible if you're ready to move on. But the Navy stopped automatically processing people out early for PT test failures so that doesn't work out well any more >_>. Plus it's illegal to intentionally do it but of course they'd have to *prove* that you did it on purpose.
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It's funny to see people who've never been to bootcamp talk about what they think bootcamp does.

They don't treat you like animals, they treat you like what most of the recruits there are: overgrown children. And they don't strip you of any individual personality.

It is designed to enhance certain qualities. Like teaching you to function during times of stress, to pay attention to details, and to follow the proper instructions.
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what do people mean by "build character"? it seems meaningless to me, and therefore unfalsifiable
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If you're a punk on the wrong side of the tracks with no hope or one of the guys on r/neet I could see this being very beneficial. If you're already a responsible adult, then forget it.

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PrettyBoyFloyd posted...

I mean do guys and gals just quit staying fit after boot camp ?

unless you're in an infantry or combat arms job, it is exceedingly easy to be rather unfit while in the service.

So, yeah, they quit working out.

The_Scarecrow posted...

Many people I know who went in also wanted to get out as soon as possible. I dont understand what its so different now compared to the past. I come from a military family but I didnt join because I dont think its for me.

I think a lot of it is, you just didn't hear about a lot of it. The Internet offers a microphone to any John, Dick, or Harry so they can vent their feelings on the military, especially if they're getting out. Also, military in general is high tempo and you don't carry a lot of dead baggage so people who get in then out after a couple years don't usually get talked about. There's millions of people who have been in and out of the service over the years so it isn't surprising you don't hear about stuff from the past.

MachineJaipur posted...

PrettyBoyFloyd posted...

I mean do guys and gals just quit staying fit after boot camp ?

unless you're in an infantry or combat arms job, it is exceedingly easy to be rather unfit while in the service.

So, yeah, they quit working out.

Yea this one guy was a truck driver and another was a mechanic.

Not battlefield grunts or leathernecks.

He drives trucks for my company because he has a good CDL.

But he's defiantly on the thick side.

Not obese but thick.

He'd die from a stroke if he worked in the plant.

They have us moving like buttered pigs somedays.
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MabusIncarnate posted...

If I didn't join the military at 18 right out of high school, i'm sure i'd be in jail by now. I was a complete fuck up with a bad attitude and it set my ass straight, taught me respect, got me in shape, and helped me with my confidence. It changed my life, the experience as a whole wasn't entirely positive, but i'd do it again in a second.

It helped me get a good job in the long run, and I thrive under pressure.

It may be entirely different for other people as mentioned, but yeah it did nothing but good things for me.

First and foremost, thank you for your service. Second, I was the same way. The military showed me how to stay cool in a stressful situation. Plus like you, the training, and education helps.
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Back when I went to basic training, it was all male and drill sergeants weren't politically correct. It was the real experience. Now males go to basic training with females and drill sergeants are politically correct, and it's soft. So back in the day, it was actually tough and built character.
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Things have softened up significantly since my days in basic training. Especially now that more and more woman are joining. But when I joined for me it was a real shock as I didn't realize how pampered, immature and ignorant I really was. I was playing catch up from there on out, and felt probabaly a decade behind everyone in this regard.

I didn't even know the differance between frabic softener or detergent, and used just the former throughout most of basic till someone finally told me.
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Prismsblade posted...

I didn't even know the differance between frabic softener or detergent, and used just the former throughout most of basic till someone finally told me.

Wtf?

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Many people who go to boot camp need to "grow up", but to what extent do you give credit to boot camp versus any other thing that removes someone from their parent's home?
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we have mandatory conscription here, and the year i spent in the army was the best year of my life, both in terms of how much i grew as a person and how much fun i had on a day to day basis

Pepys Monster posted...

Back when I went to basic training, it was all male and drill sergeants weren't politically correct. It was the real experience. Now males go to basic training with females and drill sergeants are politically correct, and it's soft. So back in the day, it was actually tough and built character.

AMEN!!! This "new" Army basic training is bullshit!!!
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@Pepys Monster posted...

Back when I went to basic training, it was all male and drill sergeants weren't politically correct. It was the real experience. Now males go to basic training with females and drill sergeants are politically correct, and it's soft. So back in the day, it was actually tough and built character.

While this is true to a degree, the reason for the shift was the new internet age made it a lot harder to keep abuse(s) hush hush.

Also they're moving to a more professional (read: corporate-esque) force.

Used to, units would have hazing rituals (some were extremely perverted/sexual and way fucked up). Now they've managed to move the whole force away from that old mindset. In exchange, though, they've taken away a lot of power and ability to toughen and "break" people so they're ready for the horrors of war.

We had to move on from the old ways, but i don' think this new way preps us for a real force on force conflict.

Pepys Monster posted...

Back when I went to basic training, it was all male and drill sergeants weren't politically correct. It was the real experience. Now males go to basic training with females and drill sergeants are politically correct, and it's soft. So back in the day, it was actually tough and built character.

I went to basic in 2001 at Fort Sill, OK and it was one of two male-only training facilities besides Ft. Benning. The other three if I remember correctly were Knox, Jackson, and Leonard Wood that were co-ed and known for being much softer as far as training difficulty. Ft. Jackson had the reputation of being called "Relaxin' Jackson" because it was comparatively easier going and more PC than the rest.

I don't know how much has changed in 18 years, but they cursed at us, insulted us, shoved us, called the heavier privates (I was one of them) fat fuck, lard ass, etc. I'd imagine it's a lot different now.

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Yea I got sent to a correctional boot camp and it changed my life for the better. They screamed at us, smoked us, had to run everywhere. They could beak you with their smokies (hit you with the hard brim of their hat) we had to mow the grass with our fingers and shovel snow with our hands.

It got me in the best shape of my life, taught me some good lessons about teamwork, and showed me what im really capable of. Working a regular job has never seemed as bad, compared to what they put us through. I would go back in a heartbeat. When you complete the program, they let you out of jail/prison earlier. And lots of guys Still would quit, they dropped liked flies. I was meaner then and I liked watching guys quit. It was also fun watching someone get smoked.

I always wondered how people would be able to compare the different boot camp locations. Like, you don't travel between them, and you don't go through boot more than once, so what's the deal?
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Soggy_Pocket posted...

I always wondered how people would be able to compare the different boot camp locations. Like, you don't travel between them, and you don't go through boot more than once, so what's the deal?

Pretty easy, you just talk about how hard or easy the TIs/DIs/RDCs were, how hard the workouts were, etc., and you start to realize quickly enough that there are some differences. Even between individual divisions/training units there can be vastly different training styles.
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MabusIncarnate posted...

Pepys Monster posted...

Back when I went to basic training, it was all male and drill sergeants weren't politically correct. It was the real experience. Now males go to basic training with females and drill sergeants are politically correct, and it's soft. So back in the day, it was actually tough and built character.

I went to basic in 2001 at Fort Sill, OK and it was one of two male-only training facilities besides Ft. Benning. The other three if I remember correctly were Knox, Jackson, and Leonard Wood that were co-ed and known for being much softer as far as training difficulty. Ft. Jackson had the reputation of being called "Relaxin' Jackson" because it was comparatively easier going and more PC than the rest.

I don't know how much has changed in 18 years, but they cursed at us, insulted us, shoved us, called the heavier privates (I was one of them) fat fuck, lard ass, etc. I'd imagine it's a lot different now.

I went through Great Lakes RTC in an integrated division.

It sure seemed like the integrated divisions had it easier than the all-male divisions. It does seem true that adding women makes things softer over all.
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Fat and thinking about joining boot camp?

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