New Basic Training Hardens 'Softer Generation'

[Schwer_Punkt_91]

New Basic Training Hardens 'Softer Generation'

From NPR site: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/stor ... =124923602

The U.S. Army is overhauling its basic training program for the first time in 30 years. The military says the change is necessary to keep pace with the new realities of war in Iraq and Afghanistan, but that's not the only reason. Part of the shift is intended to train a new generation of soldiers whose experience with fighting is usually limited to video games.

Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling tells NPR's Scott Simon the military is learning how to mold recruits from the millennial generation. They're "advanced in terms of their use of technology, and maybe not as advanced in their physical capabilities or ability to go into a fight. So we're taking that into consideration as well in doing this holistic review."

You might expect a doctor to use the word holistic more than a military man, but that may reflect a troubling trend that Hertling says the Army's been watching very closely.

"We are seeing a decline across the board in America," he says. "This isn't a decline in our recruits; this is a decline in our American society in terms of their physical capacity. It's just a softer generation.

"But we can't afford to accept that," Hertling says. "We've got to train soldiers to climb the peaks of Afghanistan."

It's not just a fitness issue, either. "We certainly have a generation that is not as disciplined when they enter the military."

"Whereas they might have what they believe is a form of courage or discipline, it's not what we expect of a soldier in very tense and difficult situations," Hertling says.

In some ways, that means basic training needs to get — well, more basic. The new regimen spends even more time on how to fight.

"It's including things like the use of weapons, knives, bayonets, sticks — even the rifle can be used as a weapon without shooting it," Hertling says. Hand-to-hand skills like kicking, punching and holds are preparing recruits for close combat, which, he notes, are the kinds of situations the military is expecting to "be in for a very long time."

They may need to spend more time toughening up, but Hertling says, today's recruits also bring skills and an attitude that the military's not seen before.

"They're different. They have a technology edge. I think they're smarter than any generation we've ever had before," he says. "They certainly ask a lot more difficult questions."

They have loyalty, Hertling says, but he thinks the most important thing about this generation is that they want to change the world. "They want to contribute to something that's bigger than themselves."

"I think they're magnificent."

[dismount]

as if the army wasnt soft enough, they already lack the discipline that a soldier nees in combat and garrison. they should go back to being able to put hands on you when you f*** up. If you get your ass kicked enough times you dont do it anymore and you do what you are told to do.

[steyraug223]

The navy is doing a similar thing, working on re-vamping training and talking about a introduction of a martial arts program. We will see what happens, because I will be the first to say that my generation sucks!

[sX Subzero]

I read this article to on yahoo
Aint video games great! and fast food and anything else that makes you out of shape and weak haha  :lol:

[HavHav]

Basic was soft when I went through 2.5 years ago. It's glorified fat camp. People don't take it seriously. Even at graduation of AIT people played like it was a joke.

Basic being soft or not, if you are weak hearted, your soul will be crushed if you get to a combat unit. They play by different roles. I'm sure the other .mil guys on here can chime in on smokings of new joes.

[Sergeant First Class Keenan]

I swear to god - we just had a soldier come from AIT 10 DAYS ago, and failed her APFT. Part of the problem is the fact that they only need to get 50% across the board during BCT to graduate.

At least with the Guard they have to make H/W or tape and pass an intial entry PT test to even ship to BCT.

Kids are fatter, and lazier these days!

[AZCW_Andrew]

I swear to god - we just had a soldier come from AIT 10 DAYS ago, and failed her APFT. Part of the problem is the fact that they only need to get 50% across the board during BCT to graduate.

At least with the Guard they have to make H/W or tape and pass an intial entry PT test to even ship to BCT.

Kids are fatter, and lazier these days!

Aren't the requirements like, really easy? Something like 2 miles in 15 minutes, 10 or 20 pullups, 10 or 20 pushups and like 60 situps.

[dismount]

I was infantry for 8 years and some of the people i have had while i was in would make you wonder how we do so well in a war. I went to iraq 3 times and saw the chain of command break down and grown men cry casue they had to pull and extra hour of guard. what are these people going to do when or if they have to kill someone, cause it is not the easiest thing in the world to have to do, I know, I speak from personal expierence. the us military is weak and needs a reality check.

[AZCW_Andrew]

I was infantry for 8 years and some of the people i have had while i was in would make you wonder how we do so well in a war. I went to iraq 3 times and saw the chain of command break down and grown men cry casue they had to pull and extra hour of guard. what are these people going to do when or if they have to kill someone, cause it is not the easiest thing in the world to have to do, I know, I speak from personal expierence. the us military is weak and needs a reality check.

FWIW, More people killed themselves in Jan of 09 in the Army than in both OEF and OIF combined, at least, that is what I heard.... :cry:

[carbon14c]

FWIW, More people killed themselves in Jan of 09 in the Army than in both OEF and OIF combined, at least, that is what I heard.... :cry:

gah.. thats so heartbreaking.. :[


i went through rotc in high school, and watched most of my friends join the army. one of them ended up in the air force..

the past few months have made me strongly reconsider joining. but i would want to try for more then just infantry... dont laugh, but i was looking at the 75th rangers...

if you dont pass ranger school, do you just retain your primary MOS? i was actually planning to go down to the rec office today, lol

[dismount]

first of all it is not "just infantry" it is a HARD life and hard work, but if you dont pass ranger school you will stay in the ranger batt until you pass and if you never pass then you still keep the 11B mos you just get moved to a light unit like 10th mountain, 82nd, 173rd, or 101st. Again it is not "just infantry" you have to know alot and alot is expected of you.

[carbon14c]

first of all it is not "just infantry" it is a HARD life and hard work, but if you dont pass ranger school you will stay in the ranger batt until you pass and if you never pass then you still keep the 11B mos you just get moved to a light unit like 10th mountain, 82nd, 173rd, or 101st. Again it is not "just infantry" you have to know alot and alot is expected of you.

oh no no no, i was not trying to demean that in any way at all.. that came out tottaly wrong. i know its not *just* infantry.. :X

but thanks for shedding some light on that

[Schwer_Punkt_91]

When I went through Army Basic in 1990 they were on the verge of phasing out the actual physical "contact" the drills could/did make with trainees.  I still saw Drill Sgts. get in recriuts faces and shove some of us around.  I even saw a drill smack a kid to the ground (deservedly so) on the pistol range.  Within a few months, I was in Iraq.  Would I have been able to handle myself the way I did if they were soft on me?  Probably not.  Do I think the Army has gotten weak in it's training?  Yes.  Is it too late?  Absolutely not.  Do we really think we can remain a superpower with the base force of the Army being trained in such a way?  Not in my humble opinion.

The time has come and thank god...

Keenan -- Come on man!  

[Sergeant First Class Keenan]

Just so you know, there is no Ranger training slots for intial entry right now.

[HavHav]

Just so you know, there is no Ranger training slots for intial entry right now.

Any idea if that will change come October? A good friend just went 68W Option 40, and he enlisted in February. I kick myself for not taking the Option 40 on a daily basis.