Why they yell

Ed Crisostomo / The Press-Enterprise

Thanks Becka from Facebook for posting this. It makes sense.

From the book "Into the Crucible" by James Woulfe:
The stressful circumstances in which Sims and his fellow recruits were placed forced them to deal with the panicky feeling that was a natural part of being human.  The fight-or-flight feeling is instinctive in all of us when faced with fearful circumstances and situations.  When the air is exploding with gunfire, it's natural to want to flee, but a Marine must resist all natural impulses and fight instead.  To a lesser degree, trying to lace up your boot with someone yelling in your face makes it hard for a recruit to control his natural instincts.  He must control the panic so that even the small task at hand can be accomplished.  This ability has saved many lives through the years when Marines have found themselves in positions of needing to clear jammed rifles before an enemy got in position to kill them.  while the recruits weren't aware of it, the stress was designed to increase as they became more Marine-like.  Finally, it reached a point where they were completely comfortable, surviving and even thriving in a chaotic environment.  Courage is not the absence of fear, it is the ability to overcome fear. 

"Boot Camp is about doing what you are told without asking why and doing it quickly. Drill instructors yell at you and they want you to yell back, basically it is about bringing out the outspoken person in everyone. If you do not scream back to acknowledge orders you will be ignored or punished, simple as that."

Should you join!

Just wow:

Not so good, but at least he is not there now to torture our sons:

Drill instructor charged in abuse of Marine recruits (244 counts)
| August 23, 2007 | Rick Rogers San Diego Union Tribune ^
He could receive 269 years in prison
A San Diego drill instructor was arraigned yesterday on 244 counts of abusing recruits in what could be the worst case of such maltreatment in modern Marine Corps history.
Sgt. Jerrod M. Glass postponed making a plea during the court session at San Diego Marine Corps Recruit Depot. He also delayed his request to have a trial by judge or jury. If convicted on all charges, he could be sentenced to 269 years in prison. Glass is accused of striking almost every member of his 60-man platoon – some repeatedly – during a month long rampage early this year.
The charges include 91 specifications of assault, 89 of failure to obey orders and 47 of cruelty and maltreatment.
Some of the alleged abuses resemble fraternity pranks, such as forcing a recruit to jump into a trash can, while others suggest stern physical punishment. Details of the charges were not given to the media.
Glass had worked as a drill sergeant for less than a year when the alleged mistreatment took place. No member of his platoon was seriously injured, but at least four ran away from duty.
Four officers who oversaw Glass at the time have been relieved of duty. In addition, at least two other drill instructors have been charged and are expected to be arraigned next month. If convicted, they could face a maximum sentence of one year in the brig.

Final thought ... the hat:

"The (drill instructor) students complete more than 600 hours of training in 11 grueling weeks before getting the 'hat,' the wide-brimmed felt cover worn by no other Marines in the Corps. It looks like a Smokey Bear hat, and the Corps traces its origin to 1855. "

Drill instructor school