What do you think about "softer" training standards?

The military to me is career surrounded by war. The way I see it every career field in the military is in place because it is needed to successfully win battles and ultimately defeat the threat, whatever it may be. That being said training standards for the military should be rigorous, both mentally and physically. Before I joined there was talk of stress cards being implemented into training. Trainees could take a break from the stresses of Basic Military Training when they couldn't handle it anymore. When I got to training, much to my relief, I found this to be a farce. What I did not find to be a farce, however, was the sad fact that instructors could no longer use physical motivational tactics. They could not curse at trainees or even in the midst of a trainee. They could not make the physically train for their mistakes for periods longer than 120 seconds. They had to limit the amount of yelling aimed towards trainees. We are producing thousands of military personnel who have not been challenged physically or mentally and we expect to defend the country? From an Officer/SNCO/NCO stand point what are you're thoughts on this "softer" method of training? Have you seen any decline or rise in Airmen, Marines, Soldiers, or Sailors, to include morale, discipline, productivity, or efficiency?