Do basic training "stress cards" really exist?

LCpl Clif Crosswhite — Fri, 28 Nov 2014 12:43:57 -0500

This is something my drill instructors said they would make us ingest if we had it (sensorineural it a bit for the sailors on here lmao)

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 28 at 2014 3:16 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 28 Nov 2014 15:16:35 -0500

LCpl Clif Crosswhite, I believed the myth, but I think it is a myth. Here's what I found from a couple years ago:

http://www.stripes.com/blogs/the-rumor-doctor/the-rumor-doctor-1.104348/did-the-army-ever-issue-stress-cards-to-recruits-1.151803

Did the Army ever issue 'stress cards' to recruits?

At long last, The Rumor Doctor looks into whether the Army gave recruits in basic training a card to signal they've had enough physical and mental stress.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 28 at 2014 3:24 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 28 Nov 2014 15:24:34 -0500

Sounds like Duffel Bag stuff.

Response by PO3 David Davis made Nov 28 at 2014 3:25 PM

PO3 David Davis — Fri, 28 Nov 2014 15:25:10 -0500

We pitch our in the trash.

Response by SPC(P) Jay Heenan made Nov 28 at 2014 3:37 PM

SPC(P) Jay Heenan — Fri, 28 Nov 2014 15:37:32 -0500

According to some of my Soldiers, these things used to exist, but for a very short time. I don't know, they certainly didn't exist when I went through.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 28 at 2014 4:02 PM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 28 Nov 2014 16:02:46 -0500

These supposedly existed when I went through basic. If they did, we never saw them.

Response by SFC Melker Johansson made Nov 28 at 2014 5:06 PM

SFC Melker Johansson — Fri, 28 Nov 2014 17:06:14 -0500

I heard that rumor when I joined the Army in 1999. I have never seen anything that would support it to be anything but an unsubstantiated urban legend.

Response by PV2 Daniel Shipley made Jan 29 at 2015 10:32 PM

PV2 Daniel Shipley — Thu, 29 Jan 2015 22:32:52 -0500

What has this military come to? When I went to Ft. Benning GA for my BT, I was never asked if I want to relax. These new recruits got it made in this new army. Makes me even more mad that they downsized, or more accurate, kicked out prior service VETS and replaced them with these soft high school grads who would urinate or defecate themselves at the sound of enemy fire. "Stress Cards" will ruin our military.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 30 at 2015 12:34 AM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 30 Jan 2015 00:34:52 -0500

When I was in Navy boot camp back in 1996, we had the "Blues" card. We had to carry it in our left breast pocket. The only time I ever saw one used was by a prior-service (Air Guard) recruit. I thought my RDC was going to stroke out, lol...

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 4 at 2015 11:10 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 04 Feb 2015 23:10:18 -0500

I had heard the rumors a long time ago. well after my time in basic and advance training. Never saw one, Saw people that needed 100 of them but never saw a card or any similar device for someone to chillout on a recruit...

Response by SGT Robin Scott made Mar 11 at 2015 5:08 PM

SGT Robin Scott — Wed, 11 Mar 2015 17:08:28 -0400

My brother actually had them when he graduated basic in 1994 Fr. Leonard wood MO. The absolutely dumbest thing I had ever heard of!

Response by COL Charles Williams made Apr 6 at 2015 11:57 PM

COL Charles Williams — Mon, 06 Apr 2015 23:57:14 -0400

At times they did appear in the USAF and US Army... Not making this up.

Response by Sgt Lauren Weigand made Apr 7 at 2015 2:32 AM

Sgt Lauren Weigand — Tue, 07 Apr 2015 02:32:01 -0400

From my understanding the marine corps bpotcamp does not have stress cards and neither did I ever see one. However I do recall a girl in my unit who decided to quit boot camp and the drill instructor screed at her "you can't quit" multiple times until the senior drill instructor came out of the DI hut to stop her rampage.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 8 at 2015 8:04 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Apr 2015 20:04:49 -0400

I've never seen them. I went through "Relaxin' Jackson" in early 2012 and there was nothing of the sort. It actually wasn't all that relaxing come to think about it.

Response by COL Mike Walton made Apr 22 at 2015 12:54 PM

COL Mike Walton — Wed, 22 Apr 2015 12:54:51 -0400

http://www.stripes.com/follow-up-visit-the-rumor-doctor-s-dissertation-on-stress-cards-1.155850

According to the Stars and Stripes, they WERE around for a bit but went away. I am trying to find out if anyone had a basic training one still sitting around somewhere they can provide an image of...

Follow-up visit: The Rumor Doctor's dissertation on stress cards

After The Rumor Doctor's last story on stress cards, questions emerged that compelled The Doctor to delve further into the matter.

Response by Col Lyman Faith made Jul 10 at 2015 7:26 PM

Col Lyman Faith — Fri, 10 Jul 2015 19:26:36 -0400

I can answer for only 3 of the 5 services, but they do not exist in the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, nor U.S. Marine Corps. I verified this a couple of years ago with my sons (Army, Marine) and the Airmen who worked for me. I cannot speak for the U.S. Navy or Coast Guard.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jul 10 at 2015 7:32 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Fri, 10 Jul 2015 19:32:32 -0400

I am going to be disgusted if Basic is causing PTSD.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jul 11 at 2015 5:47 AM

PO1 John Miller — Sat, 11 Jul 2015 05:47:09 -0400

Urban Legend! I talked to people in the Navy who swore "they got one in boot camp" or "they had seen booters try to use them at their last command" but could never show me an actual "Stress Chit."

Response by Cpl Jerome Roseborough made Jul 13 at 2015 12:52 PM

Cpl Jerome Roseborough — Mon, 13 Jul 2015 12:52:38 -0400

I've heard the myth....never had it confirmed.

Response by 1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 12 at 2016 10:29 AM

1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 12 May 2016 10:29:02 -0400

I can not answer for everyone, but we were still slaying bitches in 2007 to good effect. I did have several recruits break down in tears, requested me to stop treating them with firmness but they all survived and were stronger for the experience. No, on the stress cards.

Response by SFC George Smith made Oct 22 at 2016 5:11 PM

SFC George Smith — Sat, 22 Oct 2016 17:11:29 -0400

actually they did in the early mid 90's...

Response by SMSgt Lawrence McCarter made Jan 4 at 2017 8:33 AM

SMSgt Lawrence McCarter — Wed, 04 Jan 2017 08:33:30 -0500

According to Snope's the Military Stress cards did not exist.

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Jan 4 at 2017 10:28 AM

CSM Richard StCyr — Wed, 04 Jan 2017 10:28:35 -0500

Stress cards did exist in the 80's. they had a space the Soldier would put their thumb on and the color would or would not change depending on some thermal or chemical interaction. Several Soldiers showed up at Hunter Liggett with them. Needless to say the old Sergeants in the line units didn't much care if the Privates were stressed and the ways of TRADOC soon were forgotten.

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Jan 4 at 2017 1:11 PM

Cpl Justin Goolsby — Wed, 04 Jan 2017 13:11:04 -0500

Honestly, I don't know. Maybe it's one of those little fuck-fuck games that they play to make you feel either weaker or stronger than you really are. A big portion of boot camp is mental endurance and they spend a good portion of the day breaking you.

I wouldn't be surprised if the stress card bit was just another game to see if you'll take the bait and try to quit or if you'll continue pushing forward to prove you're tough enough.

Personally I've never seen one, but it is an excellent discussion topic.

Response by SFC Bagley Daniel made Jan 5 at 2017 7:19 PM

SFC Bagley Daniel — Thu, 05 Jan 2017 19:19:06 -0500

OK I retired in 1992, and one of the reasons was there were stress cards giving soldiers a 15 min stress free time out and there was nothing as a first Sgt, i could do Im glad they did away with them they were dumb.

Response by SPC Roger Giffen made Jan 5 at 2017 8:39 PM

SPC Roger Giffen — Thu, 05 Jan 2017 20:39:12 -0500

Ft. Leonard Wood Apr 1974-July 1974 Must be something new and stupid.

Response by SFC Don Ward made Jan 5 at 2017 9:55 PM

SFC Don Ward — Thu, 05 Jan 2017 21:55:20 -0500

Why would they need a "stress" card when our Third BCT Brigade Commander both wrote a letter to the local paper, and then instructed all of the Cadre to "be nice" to the young soldiers joining up because they were "volunteers" in a time of war.

Response by PFC Phillip Lord made Jan 6 at 2017 8:54 AM

PFC Phillip Lord — Fri, 06 Jan 2017 08:54:32 -0500

No, they do not exist. There is nothing there that could break a sound responsible person. Law's are always in place to prevent the type of influence it takes to do that. LOL Physiological breakdowns and mental instability won't be coming from Military training and discipline alone.

Response by PFC George Stinsman made Jan 6 at 2017 11:04 AM

PFC George Stinsman — Fri, 06 Jan 2017 11:04:12 -0500

I wish they had had "Don't call my Mother names" cards..

Response by PO2 William Hall made Jan 6 at 2017 1:38 PM

PO2 William Hall — Fri, 06 Jan 2017 13:38:21 -0500

We had them in 1997. It was just a card with your chain of command listed on it...... that had to be in a certain uniform pocket..... facing a certain direction......or you got smoked. Just one more thing to have to remember every day. It was definitely not something that would have been pulled out and presented to a drill instructor.

Response by 2LT Zachary Jordan made Feb 22 at 2017 5:09 AM

2LT Zachary Jordan — Wed, 22 Feb 2017 05:09:32 -0500

A very close family friend, who I believe graduated in 2014, Has made some mention about these "cards" but I have yet to see one. On the other side of things I would like to get my hands on one, Just for Gags

Response by AN Kenney Boles Sr. made May 4 at 2017 7:49 PM

AN Kenney Boles Sr. — Thu, 04 May 2017 19:49:09 -0400

I don't know,when I was in a swift hit over the head with a steelpot usually took care of any problems that you thought you had.Definetely a learning tool that should be in use today!

Response by SSG Carlos Madden made Oct 6 at 2017 10:32 AM

SSG Carlos Madden — Fri, 06 Oct 2017 10:32:56 -0400

No.

Response by SGT Morrison (Mike) Hogwood made Oct 11 at 2017 11:41 AM

SGT Morrison (Mike) Hogwood — Wed, 11 Oct 2017 11:41:01 -0400

after reading some replies it appears to be myth,but my son went to basic in 2000 at ft jackson,he said they had them,he said a couple tried it and was last time they ever pulled it again.

Response by SPC Diana D. made Oct 11 at 2017 12:03 PM

SPC Diana D. — Wed, 11 Oct 2017 12:03:32 -0400

I know what my drill sergeant would have done with a "stress card" if I would have tried to use one in the 80's!!!!

Response by SSgt Dan Montague made Dec 4 at 2017 9:06 AM

SSgt Dan Montague — Mon, 04 Dec 2017 09:06:57 -0500

this was a rumor I first heard in '94. They never existed.

Response by PFC Andrew Williams made Dec 29 at 2017 3:07 AM

PFC Andrew Williams — Fri, 29 Dec 2017 03:07:42 -0500

2007 Fort Leonard Wood and 2009 Fort Benning US Army. Stress cards existed in both places.

Response by PO1 Aaron Baltosser made May 9 at 2018 8:49 AM

PO1 Aaron Baltosser — Wed, 09 May 2018 08:49:25 -0400

In October '91 they existed in Great Lakes for my recruit company...right before my Company Commander tore them up and told them that was the last time we would ever see them because we were actually going to train. I'd be surprised if the idea had not persisted in some form since then.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2018 4:47 PM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 10 May 2018 16:47:25 -0400

Here's what Snopes has to say (they were issued, but lore has made them into something they weren't ever intended to be). The picture looks like the thing I had to carry in my left breast pocket.
https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/stress-cards/

FACT CHECK: Military Stress Cards

Are military recruits issued a stress card they can present to drill sergeants who are giving them a hard time?

Response by SPC Gary Welch made May 14 at 2018 4:14 PM

SPC Gary Welch — Mon, 14 May 2018 16:14:36 -0400

I think that stress card stuff is bull we had to do 16 mile forced marches pullups before chow and because I was the skinniest guy in our platoon I got it twice as bad I went to basic at ft benning infantry basic in 88

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 14 at 2018 6:25 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 14 May 2018 18:25:03 -0400

What the fallopian?

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made May 15 at 2018 7:41 AM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Tue, 15 May 2018 07:41:51 -0400

Saw them when I was at Fort Knox in '97 while on a training exercise.

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made May 15 at 2018 8:38 AM

SSG (ret) William Martin — Tue, 15 May 2018 08:38:16 -0400

I have never seen one but I think it's proverbial at most. Drill Sergeants like many leaders in the Army and assume in all the branches receive these "touchy feely" classes so we can recognize and part of due to common sense to who is having a bad day. Clearly, eluding to self harm or coming straight out with it is a sign to give the individual a break so we don't push the person over the edge. In the Army, I have seen leaders totally blow off another service members need for space and the results are not good.

Response by SSG Kenneth Ponder made Nov 9 at 2019 3:57 PM

SSG Kenneth Ponder — Sat, 09 Nov 2019 15:57:43 -0500

WTF for? About as useful as female drill sergeants.

Response by SPC Douglas Campbell made Mar 13 at 2020 9:50 AM

SPC Douglas Campbell — Fri, 13 Mar 2020 09:50:40 -0400

The Only Stress Card We Had Was The Drill's Round Brown Pecking Us Between The Eyes