I've always heard every branch's instructors have different disciplinary voice levels. Do Navy instructors full on yell or use normal voices?

2018-02-10T22:02:13-05:00

Response by CW5 Sam R. Baker made Feb 10 at 2018 10:04 PM

2018-02-10T22:04:24-05:00

Nice question, most training facilities for the service don't yell as much as they used to. Are you considering on joining the Navy? Already enlisted? One of my flight school students just finished basic training and thought it a cake walk, but he had been in JROTC in High School and he found it to be very easy and no yelling or screaming.

Response by CW5 John M. made Feb 10 at 2018 10:13 PM

2018-02-10T22:13:27-05:00

I suppose it depends on the "Era" of service. If you ever watched the movie "An Officer and a Gentleman", Louis Gossett Jr. reminds me a lot like what I experienced as a "Candidate" in 1969. Those who quit the program from the sheer harassment and physical strain numbered in the hundreds within the first month of being there, especially during the two weeks prior to actually starting classes, where all candidates were placed in "Snowbird Company", a holding facility that was "nightmarish". I don't think you'll experience anything like that. Pre-screening is much better now than back then.....

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 12 at 2018 8:30 AM

2018-02-12T08:30:23-05:00

Many variables here Corey. First, you have to consider the period of time in which someone experienced it...things likely have changed much over the years. Second, you have to consider what level of instruction you're curious about...Recruit Training Command, "A" or "C" schools, OCS, Academy, ship's company training, Firefighting, Crash & Salvage, BUDS etc...etc. Finally, you have to make distinctions between intimidation and motivation...there's a big difference.

A general rule of thumb would be to expect "extreme motivation" during any version of "Basic", to include the Navy's. The primary purpose of your initial training will be to put you into stressful situations which force you to rely on teamwork, discipline and endurance to overcome obstacles as a unit to a uniform standard. It is an accepted, and largely accurate perception that the more focused a service branch is on combat competencies...the more "intensive" this training will (and should) be.

However, things don't "stop" after "Basic".

As a junior enlisted Sailor, you'll be under the constant supervision, training and evaluation of Senior NCO's, NCOs, and officers. There are standards for maintaining respect across all ranks, and long-gone are the days of true "hazing", i.e. intentional and focused intimidation tactics. Still, there's nothing quite so "motivating" as a Senior Chief with the bit between their teeth :)

Another thing to bear in mind is that over the course of your career, you may be trained by sister services, and therefore subject to differences in training "style". As an O-3 (Lieutenant), I attended training conducted by the U.S. Army, and provided by their NCO corps. I can assure you that tacking "Sir" on the end of many sentences in no way reduces the appropriate level of "motivation" involved.

Whichever route you take, if you enter in a mindset that accepts training will be difficult, but rewarding...stay focused...and take one day at a time, you will very likely succeed.