Tradition
Hazing
Now an easy way to distinguish is how well it is known. It's well known most NCO's upon picking up corporal will get it. Everyone knows what to expect. It starts becoming hazing when people randomly take it upon themselves to start "creating" tradition, or morphing it to THEIR standards.
On a side note, I think the much bigger issue isn't tradition vs hazing but TRAINING vs hazing. I can't stand when simply things such as push-ups for dropping your rifle or screwing up a rank is now considered hazing. It teaches you to not screw-up, to get things right the first time, to pay attention to detail and learn to care for your weapon/gear. It should be the standard. I've heard many units making it cohesion through shared hardship; 28 for 2/8 or 17 for 1/7 (examples). Or 5 push-ups for every rank you "demote" someone or everytime you drop your rifle and then keep adding 5 until they finally learn. I feel as long as its a simple "you do this and this is what happens" it takes away the whole negative and personal demeanor of hazing.
I think the 'traditions' are great as long as they don't inflict extreme discolored bruizing and/or physical damage as part of the process. I have been through various ones through the years and was lucky enough to not to get hurt too bad in the process. The 'rites of passage' are all well and good until someone gets hurt - then it has changed a well meaning spirit into one of an abusive nature.
Training done right is a totally different thing - as long as it doesn't turn into an abusive environment. Physical exertion to the point of exhaustion in basic training environments builds stamina in time. Anytype of training with the intent of physically harming an individual is just abuse plain and simple. Marine basic has pumped out multitudes of Marines without resorting to physical abuse (the few times that it did happen - those DI's were disciplined and removed from the training environment).
It is up to all military members to up hold what is right and to squash any situation that sets itself up as an abusive process that physically damages our members - too many sadistic things remain in perpetuary due to those incharge lending a blind eye to the matter 'since it's a tradition'. 'Traditions' should not and can not be allowed to physically damage our personnel - those that allow it that and are in a position to keep it safe and do not should be held accountable as well as the perpetrator(s) of the abuse.
I agree with ya’ll about what 1SG
Carpenter did. Clearly that was assault it was not in the “grey area” between
hazing and tradition. My personal opinion was formed after an event I was
witness to. The old tradition of pinning your new rank into your collar bones
from when I was a private was a moment
that I was proud to be a part of, standing there chest high having the 1SG pin
your SGT rank into your BDUs and before then your platoon ensuring that your
rank was secure in your uniform. What I saw was unintentional but left the
effect on that NCO when he smashed the rank into the Soldiers collar it
actually broke then collar of the Soldier. From that point on I will not allow
my Soldiers to pin Soldiers in that manner, or punch them in the chest when
they are promoted. This tradition I do not think is hazing but can easily cross
the line as hazing. There are still CSMs out there that will take the breath
out of you when you are promoted to a higher rank of NCO.
Corrective PT “Smoking” this is a
fine line as well, but I do believe in it. I have had Soldiers that were
counseled on whatever they did and continued the action. My team leaders and I
took him into the wood line away from the rest of the platoon and scuffed him
up. I never had a issue from this Soldier again and he turned into one of the
best young leaders in my platoon. Can the line be crossed? Absolutely it can be
this is when you have to be a professional and not take out personal feelings
on a Soldier.
Again, I do not believe in punching
beating verbally abusing Soldiers to the point that they feel that they are
being discriminated against.
Lot of guys get off on it. Payback is serious business. Pain dont mattet
I wanted that when I make my rank, but I am being told that "the powers that be" cannot let it happen is it would be grounds for Article 15's for those who are the would be "Hazers".
Something things are cultural rights of passage and being in the U.S. Military, we have plenty of these types of events. In fact US Army Basic Training calls one of these events a "Right of Passage Ceremony". I don't want to see these things go away, it's who we are....
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