Platoon sergeant likes to think himself as abusive father figure

MAJ Andrew Ready in respects to the tradition over the years its common most of the time. There is a fine line however being abusive and not professional does not make a good mix=toxic leadership in time IMO:

In some cases, informal titles are used. "Top" is commonly used by NCOs as an informal address to first sergeants, or anyone serving as a company 1st sergeant. In field artillery units a Platoon Sergeant (usually an E-7) is informally referred to as "smoke" (from "chief of smoke," a reference to when units fired as whole batteries of between 4 and 6 guns, and the senior NCO position was "Chief of Firing Battery"). The junior E-7 position is designated as "Gunnery Sergeant" and similar to the USMC usage, is typically referred to as "Gunny." Field Artillery cannon sections are led by section chiefs (usually an E-6) are often informally called "chief." (This doesn't seem to be common in other section-based unit subdivisions such as staff sections.) Some section chiefs discourage this, as "chief" is also a common term of address for warrant officers. In some smaller units, with more tight-knit squads, soldiers might call their squad leader "boss", or a similar respectful term. A habit that has all but died out is the addressing of a platoon sergeant, in any unit other than artillery, being affectionately called a "platoon daddy" in casual conversation or in jest (but never in any official communication of any type). In training units (Basic Combat Training and AIT or OSUT), trainees are called "private", regardless of the rank worn. Special titles, such as "drill sergeant" and "gunnery sergeant" are specific to certain jobs (position title), and should not be confused for actual rank.

"He then continued to tell the story, in graphic detail, of how he once made a corporal lick those same boots for not showing up to formation early enough."

This is where I lost it. "For not showing up EARLY enough" that was too much.