Do you believe counseling soldiers has better results than making them do PT?

Counseling statements don’t do anything in my opinion. You could give a soldier a piece of paper to sign and they would forget about it within a week. You smoke a soldier and they will remember not to do it again for the sake of not getting another smoke session and simply having learned the lesson that needed to be learned.

From my experience, individuals differ in response to these methods. It is best for a leader to learn which ones respond well to the verbal or physical methods. A good leader will do this and then use the most effective method.

No 18 year old is going to remember a piece of paper but they will remember being in physical discomfort and will work to avoid it. The so called "paper trail" is good for kicking soldiers out and defining a pattern but they do not contribute to a soldier's development.

Yes I know a soldier in AIT with me that has over 20 counselings and still doesnt show up to PT and they just keep giving counselings. Our platoon sergeant took us to the sandpit, did 10 pushups and acted like he smoked us hard and we all laughed. He then got in trouble by the battalion commander for taking us to the sandpit. It’s such BS they can’t do what is necessary to regain discipline.

Need to bring back smoking sessions instead of counseling statements. Doing extra or not only disciplines them but makes them stronger.

Counseling is good if you know how to counsel, you are a good, leader, and you have the respect of those around you. Unfortunately most people who are in a position to counsel probably only possess none or one of these qualities so it's probably best to just explain the reason for the punishment and what the results are, implement it, and move on, for both parties.

Smoke them

Nobody cares anymore mfs are selfish and in the wrong positions. No more leadership. A Spc is equivalent to a pvt most NCOs are equivalent to trash

What I have noticed is that the only way you truly get a Soldiers attention is to take there time and there money. It’s sad but true. To council a Soldier is ineffective. Also you need to council Soldier for good accomplishment as well. Not just negativity....

In my perspective if you challenge a persons intellect and mental processes you’d get a more intelligent and mentally capable individual. If you only challenge their physical endurance then you’ll only get a physically capable individual. However, if you callenge all aspects of an individual you’ll get a well rounded perspective and a more wholesome response rather than one or the other. Disobedience is not merely lack of physical capability it is all of the facets of an individual that need to be addressed to attain the best results!