Not allowed to address IET Privates by their rank.

I was always under the impression addressing anyone by anything other than their rank was disrespectful. I agree with your statement I don't think that we should adjust tradition and years of customs for a perception like this.

If I don't see a name / rank the title is Soldier.

I think MAJ Ballinger hit the nail on the head, the training should be hard, you should get your feelings hurt, no one cares if your feelings are hurt when the bullets start flying.

I think the problem is we sometimes forget that no matter what your job is in the Army it's is till the same - "Shoot, Move and Communicate" - "Kill the Enemy"

Good Point SSG Bryant. When I was in WLC, they called you SGT. I was a SPC (P) at the time, but it did sound demeaning in way. But it didn't bother me. Its just a rank. Soldiers now-a-days don't have tough skin.

Frankly, I think this will or already is contributing to the suicide issue. Resilience is not something that can be briefed via a powerpoint slide. It is a defense mechanism generated in response to stress... our youth face the some of the most stress free lives on the planet. The realities and rigors of the martial lifestyle and suddenly reality and totality of the UCMJ find some of them fully unprepared.

The basic training experience presents perhaps one of the only opportunities to subject a human brain to the kind of stress necessary to build this quality in a way with the least risk of trauma.. Why? Because it is EXPECTED! Every one of us EXPECTED MORE! We were, in fact, PREPARED FOR IT! We can be placed under intense stress while still at the back of our minds we know the real mortal danger is inattention.

Any point past the IMT environment will damage the soldier because of the perceived 'wrongness' of it. Resentment will build, trauma will be inflicted. Our forefathers created the indoctrination experience for a reason.

My favorite title was "STUMP"
Stupid Trainee Under Military Protection

I would love to say I'm gonna use that one, but I guess I would be breaking the rules.....(so I won't say it..cough, cough). Haha, STUMP. That is hilarious. I really would like to know when the term ass-clown became popular. I remember the first time a NCO called me ass-clown, I couldn't hold back my laughter!

SSG (Join to see) From my experience I believe these are created with the single purpose of getting you to giggle - which insures a more more personal and enriching gig.

Oh believe me, the effect of the cause was not worth the giggle. You guys ever get the "Why are you eye !@#$% me PRAHVET!?!?!, you !@#$%^ my wife PRAHVET?" So vulgar and enriching were the days of the BDU; "helps build character" they said.