I completely agree with SSG Davis! "There are 2 types of Soldiers... smart ones and strong ones." NCO's are the backbone of the Army. They get the job done! As such if they have been tasked with training Soldiers they should have the discretion to dole out "IPT" (Incentive Physical Training).
Furthermore, I have never been downrange, but I understand and accept that it is often a matter of life and death.
By not allowing the "good old smoke session" are we as an Army preparing Soldiers for the potential harsh realities that they may one day face?
If attempts have been made to make a Soldier "smart" through training and education and those attempts have failed then by all means they should be made "strong" Soldiers. Maybe that is the jolt they need to get "smart."
And in making that Soldier "strong" we are probably saving many Soldiers lives!
believe that the environment that we are trying to instill is to give Soldiers,
regardless of rank or any discriminatory aspects, the utmost respect and trust.
Of course this may be taken advantage of but as Leaders, we need to hold them
accountable for their actions. This is how we mold and Soldiers into future leaders.
Just because we do not “smoke” does not mean we cannot find another
disciplinary method to correct the deficiency.
We just have to be crafty and give them something to think about.
Smoking them will just give them a motive to not do it again but if we educate
them, give them a reason to correct it, and not correct it in the form of hazing
we can get more from the Soldiers.
All I can really say about it is this: When I was a private, when I got smoked, or had to do "corrective training" it was painful and I never did it again. You are either going to wise up, or you'll end up really strong" my NCO told me. Today, I am very fit and a much wiser Soldier. I think the method speaks for itself