College Graduates, when you enter basic, what are your thoughts on somebody yelling at you instead of actually training you?

PVT William Bresch — Thu, 28 Jul 2016 14:57:26 -0400

Response by MGySgt James Forward made Jul 28 at 2016 2:59 PM

MGySgt James Forward — Thu, 28 Jul 2016 14:59:41 -0400

you always get yelled at first, you get broken and then your training commences. Obedience to orders. Does not matter if you are a college grad or not, everyone gets the whole 9 years. Semper Fi.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 28 at 2016 3:17 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 Jul 2016 15:17:21 -0400

I think you need more applicable tags, such as college, higher education, degree, cadet, ROTC, etc.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 28 at 2016 3:17 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 Jul 2016 15:17:47 -0400

Getting yelled at is part of the training. Learning to obey orders as part of a team is what makes for a strong military.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 28 at 2016 3:48 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 Jul 2016 15:48:52 -0400

Hi, Private Bresch.

Ah, Basic. Good times. Yelling is part of the training. It enables you to perform in stressful situations, and is independent of education, race, color or religion.

Response by SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA made Jul 28 at 2016 3:49 PM

SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA — Thu, 28 Jul 2016 15:49:04 -0400

I reckon the yelling is a part of the training, after a manner of speaking.

I certainly got dumber in OSUT. I went from assimilating and reorganizing vast quantities of information to produce a coherent argument to being required to execute simple tasks without thinking. Thinking was practically discouraged, but then when you do something without thinking you get yelled at...

Response by SFC J Fullerton made Jul 28 at 2016 4:40 PM

SFC J Fullerton — Thu, 28 Jul 2016 16:40:14 -0400

A college grad that joins the military not knowing they are going to get yelled at didn't get any smarter in college.

Response by SSG Stephan Pendarvis made Jul 28 at 2016 4:49 PM

SSG Stephan Pendarvis — Thu, 28 Jul 2016 16:49:30 -0400

This should be good.....(wait...let me pop some popcorn first)

Response by SGT Jerrold Pesz made Jul 28 at 2016 5:04 PM

SGT Jerrold Pesz — Thu, 28 Jul 2016 17:04:16 -0400

People who yell at me are wasting their time. I just tune them out. Fortunately other than being part of a group that was being yelled at I was never subjected to yelling or mistreatment. There were always enough fuck-ups around that if you did your best and performed well you pretty well got left alone.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 28 at 2016 5:05 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 Jul 2016 17:05:20 -0400

What the hell does college have to do with getting yelled at during basic training???

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 28 at 2016 7:03 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 Jul 2016 19:03:00 -0400

I don't understand the connection between being a college graduate and being yelled at. It is all apart of the training to break you and build you back up. I would figure someone with a higher education would figure that out...

Response by SPC Terry Martin made Jul 29 at 2016 10:28 AM

SPC Terry Martin — Fri, 29 Jul 2016 10:28:20 -0400

I don't agree with the "yelling" all the time! "Locking Heels" and talking in someone's face for correction, guidance and direction are fine and builds character as do push up and jumping jacks for discipline.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 29 at 2016 11:06 AM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 29 Jul 2016 11:06:53 -0400

I was a 36 year-old man, and was a Corrections Officer prior to enlisting. I had worked in a prison where the people in the prison actually had murdered, raped, stole, sold drugs, etc. So a guy in a hat didn't really intimidate me. Also, my Dad is a retired LTC, and I grew up hearing stories from Vietnam Vets who had recently returned from Vietnam. Not much intimidates me these days.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 29 at 2016 1:55 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 29 Jul 2016 13:55:12 -0400

The yelling IS training. Here's the thing that most people have failed to understand for years:

1. Yelling induced higher stress levels. Soldiers, by their very nature, have to be able to operate under stressful environments. So they are going to get yelled at, screamed at, intimidated and belittled. Because it makes you nervous. It gets you shook up. And THAT is where the test of willpower and motivation comes in. The yelling is ENTIRELY based upon training you at an individual level.

2. Yelling, name-calling, threats, belittling, intimidating, etc. is designed to tear you down. Because in order to build something up to a stronger level, you HAVE to tear it down first. The sole purpose in tearing you down to your barest bones, is to reshape you into the Army image and mindset. Because it is that mindset that will keep you alive when the metal meets the meat.

3. Resiliency is one of a Soldier's greatest tools. The ability to take the most brutal, horrific, arduous, and hellish situations, shrug it off, sack up, and drive on. So if we tell you you're worthless, we yell at you for existing, we are harsh with you whether you're right or wrong, it instinctively teaches you to build up the resilience to it and move forward. Which makes it much easier later in life, especially in your career to take the hard times and push through it.

So college education or not, it makes no difference. We are going to yell at you and convince you that you are worthless because when we reshape you, we show you that you are more valuable than you ever imagined. Because you are stronger, smarter, faster, and now you have the ability to perform under stress, shrug off the hard times, and recognize the importance of what you bring to the table.

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Jul 29 at 2016 2:44 PM

SGT Dave Tracy — Fri, 29 Jul 2016 14:44:36 -0400

I went to Ft. Benning at age 36, and was older than my drill sergeants. I had 1 AA degree from a local community college and two (count 'em 2!) Bachelors degrees from an accredited university. I had worked in the private sector for many years before, during and after college; blue collar and white collar. In fact, prior to enlisting I worked for a 5 person, 1/2 billion dollar (That's billion, with a "B"!) real estate development finance company and had responsibility for tens of millions of dollars worth of loans and property, which included contracting and overseeing several builders on dozens of projects. It all came to a crashing end during the Great Recession, and I chose to fulfill an earlier dream of joining the military.

Did my education, work experience, life experience, or age have any bearing on how I felt about being "yelled at" at OSUT (Basic Training)? Not at all. And just who is to say being "yelled at" has nothing to do with ARMY training?

Response by SPC James Harsh made Jul 30 at 2016 8:37 PM

SPC James Harsh — Sat, 30 Jul 2016 20:37:30 -0400

TOW the Line! It's not as much as solely having to deal with yelling as it is being owned. First encounter was a shark attack as I'm sure many others can relate. I think it's because there's nowhere to go when you get to basic and having to deal with getting singled out or causing the entire platoon to get smoked adds to the effect they have. How many non-service people say they would laugh is because they have no idea, inmates probably get it easier than initial phasing.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 30 at 2016 9:37 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 30 Jul 2016 21:37:08 -0400

Everyone's the same in basic training. That is the point. Education, socio economic stauts, race, religion etc doesn't matter. That is the way it needs to be to get the job done. The whole keep your mouth shut and do exactly what you are told to do comes into play. A big problem with today's kids is that quite a few of them have a problem with that. If the college grad goes into basic with an attitude thinking they are so much smarter than everyone else they will be in for a rude awakening. They also need to remember there are a lot of college educated enlisted folks these days. Some (not all) O's would do well to remeber that part too.

Response by SFC Everett Oliver made Jul 30 at 2016 10:01 PM

SFC Everett Oliver — Sat, 30 Jul 2016 22:01:11 -0400

As many have touched on, the yelling instills that instant obedience to an order in a stressful situation. That training and reaction can save lives. At least that's what I've always thought.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Jul 31 at 2016 12:03 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Sun, 31 Jul 2016 12:03:43 -0400

I was a law school graduate when I enlisted in 1966. Fortunately for me, I learned a lesson very early, at the Reception Center, that stood me in good stead. We were treated like idiots and it offended me until I looked around and discovered that I was among idiots. In fact, I was one of them. Yes, I was educated, but school doesn't teach common sense. All that yelling had a purpose and I learned from it.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 31 at 2016 12:11 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 31 Jul 2016 12:11:36 -0400

Part of the necessary stress needed to think under pressure.

Response by LCpl Don Reitmeyer, III made Jul 31 at 2016 1:07 PM

LCpl Don Reitmeyer, III — Sun, 31 Jul 2016 13:07:29 -0400

I told them if I wanted screamed at rather than trained I'd have stayed at home with my alcoholic father who worked me like a mule. That was 3rd Batt. @ Parris Island about the 2nd month. Things got better quick. The whole damn barracks heard me bitching and I used alot of you and Me. I had my game on and got up and ready before the lights came on. I just got sick of the idiot's bitching rather than teaching us something...0351 ~ Subic Bay Marine

Response by 1stLt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 31 at 2016 2:22 PM

1stLt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 31 Jul 2016 14:22:29 -0400

Pretty sure this guy is trolling!!!

Response by SrA Edward Vong made Jul 31 at 2016 3:59 PM

SrA Edward Vong — Sun, 31 Jul 2016 15:59:14 -0400

The first thing that comes to me is, why would a college graduate enlist? Become an officer.

(Nothing against guys that choose to enlist of course)

Response by CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 31 at 2016 4:18 PM

CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 31 Jul 2016 16:18:47 -0400

My thoughts were... This is the Army. People are going to yell at me. As a Soldier that's the least of our worries

Response by SSG Jeremy Sharp made Jul 31 at 2016 8:19 PM

SSG Jeremy Sharp — Sun, 31 Jul 2016 20:19:33 -0400

One of the best experiences of my life! The yelling and screaming are to condition the trainee to react under fire and high stress of a combat environment. When instructed to lay suppressive fire at your left limiting stake to save your life, combat leaders do not have the time to take fifteen minutes to explain the reasoning behind the order or to intellectually address your concerns about the volume and rate of fire coming from the enemies crew served weapon and how, as an educated person, you cannot understand the sound judgement or benefit of conducting a flanking maneuver. I am a college graduate and have met many over the years who were less intelligent than most high school graduates or GED recipients. Education has little to do with the training concept or even the success of mission. Unity of command, technical and tactical proficiency of leadership coupled with motivation and esprit de corps can overcome the greatest of odds in duty performance and mission accomplishment during armed conflict. If you can't take someone yelling at you then god help you if you ever come under fire.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 31 at 2016 10:04 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 31 Jul 2016 22:04:03 -0400

The "yelling" is a manner that is intended to train you to deal with adversity. You can either suck it up and drive on or quit. Those who do the former will fair better in combat than those who elect for the latter. That is for the betterment of the team and mission.

Response by CW4 Scott Kjendlie made Aug 1 at 2016 12:44 AM

CW4 Scott Kjendlie — Mon, 01 Aug 2016 00:44:36 -0400

What makes you think that the yelling is not part of the training? Maybe after all that college the trainee still does not realize that the goal for one is to provide an opportunity to perform in a stressful situation, and for two to break down the individual to build up them into the team? Do you think they would coddle you, or treat you better with that college degree?

Response by CPT Chris Loomis made Aug 1 at 2016 1:39 AM

CPT Chris Loomis — Mon, 01 Aug 2016 01:39:35 -0400

I'm a firm believer in the education of the "Basic Soldier Lesson".... Which is "always do what you are told immediately and keep your big fat mouth shut."

I never took any class in college that taught me that.

(Strictly my opinion: If some college grad know it all is so thin skinned that they cannot handle a loud assertive motivating conversation then they either need to be yelled out more so that they build up a great tolerance. Then, after some time if they still can't cut the mustard and continue to whine then they should be issued their "punk ass kit" or given chaptered out.)

Response by SFC Giancarlo Rici made Aug 1 at 2016 2:11 AM

SFC Giancarlo Rici — Mon, 01 Aug 2016 02:11:27 -0400

Yes... The yelling is park of the training... The yelling induces stress... Which most young men and woman have no clue what that is. This is training! Love your bias view in asking the question.

Response by TSgt Melissa Post made Aug 1 at 2016 3:40 AM

TSgt Melissa Post — Mon, 01 Aug 2016 03:40:10 -0400

That is actual training. stress training. If you can't handle the heat of an instructor yelling at you, how are you going to handle bullets flying toward you and explosions in front of you? how are you going to handle officers demanding deadlines that look unreasonable, but really aren't? Regardless of whether or not you are a college graduate, if you cannot deal with people yelling at you then perhaps you should not be in the military... just my opinion there.

Response by Capt Michael Greene made Aug 1 at 2016 5:15 AM

Capt Michael Greene — Mon, 01 Aug 2016 05:15:55 -0400

Nearly everyone agrees that basic instructors yell to create stress, and do so to acclimate you to performing under fire. But I'd like to address a related issue outside of basic. Too many EMs and NCOs yell, curse and belittle junior EMs when a level-heading informational briefing or a buy-in approach would be best. I saw too many dicks just being dicks, pretending to be DIs. That is counterproductive to building a strong 21st century force.

College grads in boot? I know--different strokes. But the officer specialties are very diverse. Some officer jobs are very hands on and don't manage or lead or do paperwork desk jobs for many years. I regret spending 10 years enlisted before my officer time. It literally cost me a million bucks. My first enlisted position was really fun and exciting, but I did it next to a Lt who was making twice as much to do the same job. Plus, as I discovered 10 years later, the O'Club at Cubi Point was really very nice.

Response by A1C Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 1 at 2016 7:36 AM

A1C Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 Aug 2016 07:36:15 -0400

I for one am thankful for the "yelling" that took place during basic training. I am thankful that the experiences we go through helps to groom out the entitled, self righteous attitudes that come along with some. (although some unfortunately continued after with these) College experience has nothing to do with your experience in basic training, rotc or AIT. Plus, yelling should be the least of anybody's problems... What is the worst case scenario here? You get your feelings hurt? In training you don't and shouldn't have feelings. There are far worse things that you may encounter in real world military than yelling. Is a POW seated at a table with coffee and snacks to have a soft spoken conversation? If someone is offended by yelling during training, I would hope they would realize the military is not the best option. IMO harden up and realize what does not kill you indeed always makes you stronger.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 1 at 2016 7:43 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 Aug 2016 07:43:52 -0400

I enlisted while I was in college. When I got to basic at Fort Benning (11B) OSUT it was interesting. There were individuals who thought it was the worst thing in the world. They hated their Drill SGTs. For me, it was like HS football to-a-days. The DSgts were coaches. Nothing more.

While the training was strenuous, I endured the mental aspect a lot better than others. I'd say nearly 1/3 my platoon was comprised of college students enlisting in the guard after 9/11. Despite the non college PVTs and the DSGTs doing their best to divide us by trying to make it seem as if the college students would somehow be inferior, we pretty much lead our platoon in everything from the APFT to shooting, etc. Not saying that college students make better Soldiers by any stretch of the imagination, just my observation. Though that might have to do with discipline and that college students already are disciplined to learn, and soak things up. Who knows.

All I know is that for some, basic was the worst time of their life. I had no issues other than the August Georgia heat.

Response by SGT Alejandro Sarandrea made Aug 1 at 2016 1:46 PM

SGT Alejandro Sarandrea — Mon, 01 Aug 2016 13:46:00 -0400

That is training. It's not the type of learning that comes out of a book. The lesson is: "calm under pressure."

Response by CPT Dion Francis made Aug 1 at 2016 2:31 PM

CPT Dion Francis — Mon, 01 Aug 2016 14:31:35 -0400

Your thoughts probably are "I should have got some degree besides 'Independent Studies' ". LOL

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 1 at 2016 11:29 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 Aug 2016 23:29:35 -0400

I looked at it as mental training for a high stress job. All the yelling is "stress inoculation" as a former classmate said.

Response by Sgt John Steinmeier made Aug 2 at 2016 9:21 AM

Sgt John Steinmeier — Tue, 02 Aug 2016 09:21:39 -0400

Wait...I thought screaming in someone's face was training.

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Aug 2 at 2016 9:36 AM

Cpl Justin Goolsby — Tue, 02 Aug 2016 09:36:49 -0400

I had no issue with it because I wanted to become a Marine, so I would endure any hardship. After all, they weren't just yelling at you, every little thing was done to shape you into their cookie cutter mold. Whether it was to move faster, hold your rifle a specific way, or scream louder, every bit of their corrections served a specific purpose. You might not recognize it right away, but when you think back to your time in basic, you'll see the crazy things they do actually have a sense of logic and order behind them.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 2 at 2016 8:32 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 02 Aug 2016 20:32:34 -0400

PVT William Bresch We all have to pay our dues and pay our respect. Too many young people today hold their parents hostage. We may not always agree here, but we DO have each other's backs. Respect. Being conferred that (college or not), a degree get one respect. Many of the tops here earned that. They covered for each other and you will too. I was at Eglin and there was a Capt who would help the guys out, and the other a dumbass, brown nosing capt, that everyone hated. You know the first one to be shot in the back, while be the brow-nosing. Both are Captains.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 6 at 2016 1:34 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 06 Aug 2016 13:34:23 -0400

They are training you to be a soldier! College teaches and the Army trains. You have to get that mindset first.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Aug 6 at 2016 1:50 PM

MCPO Roger Collins — Sat, 06 Aug 2016 13:50:01 -0400

Refer to Clint Eastwood's latest statement on millenials.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 6 at 2016 6:00 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 06 Aug 2016 18:00:57 -0400

Your learning believe me you are.

Response by SGT Aaron Tollman made Aug 7 at 2016 7:05 PM

SGT Aaron Tollman — Sun, 07 Aug 2016 19:05:29 -0400

If a recruit cannot handle being yelled at, then how can they handle bullets and bombs targeted at them? Yelling provokes the recruit; how the recruit handles that provocation and stress is intimately related to how well a soldier handles combat. Those that cannot handle it are hopefully weeded out before they ever get to this first duty station. In theory (and often in practice), this saves lives... both those of the recruit and those of their comrades.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 8 at 2016 11:21 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 08 Aug 2016 11:21:25 -0400

I hope those college grads are smart enough to realize by the end of basic why the yelling occurs. :)

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 8 at 2016 3:42 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 08 Aug 2016 15:42:07 -0400

Something I did find funny about the picture attached is that those DS are DSLs. They are the trainers of the Drill Sergeant. Hahahaha. So the guy getting screamed at is actually an NCO in DSS.

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 15 at 2016 3:49 PM

Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 15 Aug 2016 15:49:47 -0400

I never went to basic. My understanding is that the whole point of the yelling is to get people to learn how to expedite simple actions in a orderly manner. The other point is that the environment is not supposed to be comfortable. This type of training is to learn your place in the big scheme of things. Someone going through basic is an FNG. As an FNG in a military environment, the FNG needs to when to keep certain things to themselves and know when to speak.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 17 at 2016 8:51 AM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Aug 2016 08:51:07 -0400

Did said college teach "Having a Spine 101"? Look, young adults nowadays are just soft (in general). Since they were a child, they have been told that they are special, that the world revolves around them. Work under me or my NCOs and quickly realize that you are NOT. You and your team are special. You must strip your individualism and become a member of something greater. The individuality of new recruits is what makes them soft. Sometimes one just has to yell as the yellee is just dumb. The yeller has asked the yellee many times to stand at parade rest / attention when addressing the respective ranks. The yeller has nicely asked the yellee to be on time for formation. Enough is enough. Grow a spine, do not take it personal, and man/woman-up. If you do not like being told what to do, go be a Walmart greeter with your $200,000 liberal arts degree. I would not want you in a foxhole with me anyway. Good day! :-)

Response by PFC James Henderson made Mar 10 at 2017 11:13 PM

PFC James Henderson — Fri, 10 Mar 2017 23:13:16 -0500

I actually listened to the yelling, Mind over matter, the yelling were instructions.

Response by SSgt Richard Rutledge made Mar 11 at 2017 6:53 PM

SSgt Richard Rutledge — Sat, 11 Mar 2017 18:53:01 -0500

Why just college graduates? I was extremely mature at even 5 years of age; and had a very high IQ. My parents were poor and I couldn't afford to go to college; but I read every encyclopedia from cover to cover many times over. So, someone who graduated from college is better than I am? I would love to hear the explanation on that theory...

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 18 at 2017 7:01 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 18 Mar 2017 19:01:12 -0400

I laughed it off.....in my head of course.

I grew up in the Army....and I'm not talking career progression...I mean I literally grew up in the Army. I was surrounded by field grade officers my entire life. So I already had a good idea of what to expect in basic and I also understood the rationale behind it.

Response by SFC Kenneth Hunnell made Sep 21 at 2020 8:30 PM

SFC Kenneth Hunnell — Mon, 21 Sep 2020 20:30:23 -0400

They aren't Yelling at you. Apparently they got your attention.