Compare the initial training you recieved to what is being trained now.
John,
Their hands are tied by the fact they are no longer allowed to yell and put hands on when needed, and if the PVT doesn't want to do what they are told or supposed to be doing or have a grudge against the DS for enforcing standards, they just make a false claim as has been proven approximately 75%+ of the time from statistics.
I have had peers and subordinate NCOs that have come off the trail describe how things such as NBC training, First-Aid training, BRM and others have either been watered-down or eliminated altogether. Weapons/vehicle recognition is no longer taught in basic, how to use field phones or run wire is no longer taught, grenade training is no longer taught, land nav or map reading is no longer taught at some locations or is given a few hours of instructions with no follow up. I could go on all day about other things that are neither taught or what remains has been watered down, such as FA, ruck marches, etc.
The D & C that I saw from the Soldiers showing up for AIT when I was an operations NCO as yourself in an AIT Co and BN were almost non-existent and when the Soldiers were asked to demonstrate or explain how to do it, they didn't have a clue or stated they never had learned it, some could have been BS, but I tended to believe many when I saw how many couldn't even do basic things for CTT training.
Robert,
From what I have seen or heard they are being taught things more related to technology which may help them utilized some of the equipment they may see in combat/deployments or even some units, but with the removal of many of the basic survival and tactical skills and knowledge that many of us that came in before 2000 were taught then all that tech skills won't save your life in hand to hand combat or close combat situations.
I disagree for a few reasons: There is nothing prohibiting a Drill Sergeant from yelling at a Soldier. And for what reason, other than to protect life/limb/eyesight, do you need to put your hands on a Soldier? They're in the infancy of there military service - the end state of their training is to introduce a subject and be tested to show they comprehend what was taught, not become an SME.
With regard to the training that is no longer taught - some of your statements are incorrect. CBRN is still taught, just not to the extent that is was over a decade ago. Partially due to funding and partially due to lack of necessity. First Aid (now Tactical Combat Casualty Care) is still taught, but some TTPs have changed because previous methods were proven ineffective. Map Reading and Land Navigation hasn't changed much - but Soldiers in the MP Reriment are taught advanced skills (in AIT) using modern technology. BRM (statistically) has improved and added Advanced Rifle Marksmansip to introduce Soldiers to the equipment that they could potentially use at their gaining unit. Hand grenade traing is still conducted. Foot marches are still conducted.
Your statement regarding technology related skills is correct. Basic combat skills are also taught. But it's practically a null argument. The skills that were taught 10-20 years ago have either been improved or proven irrelevant. Modern warfare is asymetric, not linear. Those that refuse to adapt to the COE also become irrelevent.
Now, I won't disagree that Soldiers of today are much different than those of other (previous) generations in many ways. However, the Soldiers of today are what we, as Noncommissioned Officers, make them. The generating force is comprised of a wide range of people with varying experiences. But the biggest issue with the Soldiers of today is the NCOs that teach them - it's not the training that's mandated by TRADOC and DA to be taught.
For those that have AKO access - type "BCT POI" in to the search block. There you'll find all of the current lesson plans and training support packages that support the training conducted in BCT.