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From: stanwyck@ihuxr.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.politics
Subject: Re: Natl Film Board's "War" on basic training
Message-ID: <699@ihuxr.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 11-Oct-83 10:08:17 EDT
Article-I.D.: ihuxr.699
Posted: Tue Oct 11 10:08:17 1983
Date-Received: Thu, 13-Oct-83 01:13:23 EDT
References: <2447@utcsrgv.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Bell Labs, Naperville, Il
Lines: 27

Re:  (something like....) recruits should be told they will have their
			  personalities fundamentally changed.


	I have seen the very thing (personality changes) mentioned in a few
	individuals, primarily in one branch of the service.  I served for
	four years, all but 3 months of it on all-service bases.

	For the most part, the only cases of personality change I saw were
	from the Marine Corps basic program.  The Army, Navy, and especially
	the Air Force run very different basic programs.  The USAF runs
	what is essentially a 6-week classroom course.  It does very little
	to instill any type of instant response to command, or other activity
	associated with combat type training.  And why should it?  Most
	USAF recruits end up in behind-the-desk jobs, or mechanic positions.
	Definately not on the front lines.

	However, I also see the reasoning behind the Marine Corps basic.
	If for some reason I were in a combat situation (altho I haven't the
	slightest idea how you could get me there) I would want those around me
	to be super-efficient fighting machines, not problem ponderers.
	I would want them to respond instantly to command, even if it were
	of a suicidal nature.  (In war games, it is often the practice to
	sacrifice the few to save the many.)

                Don Stanwyck            ihnp4!ihuxr!stanwyck