peterr@utcsrgv.UUCP (Peter Rowley) (10/10/83)
Another rave review for an episode of the NFB's series "War". Tonight's was called "Anybody's Son Will Do" and followed a group of US Marines through basic training, which turns out to be, largely, a misnomer. Most people are aware that soldiers have to be trained to take orders without question and to kill. But it is still surprising to see this done; to see training exercises designed not so much as to teach skills but to indoctrinate. One is usually taught in childhood that it is fine young men, with bright futures, who go off to serve their country. This is modified by current publicity about the "volunteer military", but one is not prepared to see the recruits shown in this episode: young men with very little futures. A picture of a recruit asking to go home and having his drill instructor tell him he is nothing as a civilian is a powerful one. This was only one of a series of images that seemed to belong better in a cult's "Love Camp" than in a professional organization. The training doesn't view killing as a regrettable necessity, but as a desirable thing to do to an enemy presented as sub-human. It was hard to tell how much of this view really rubbed off on the recruits, but the intention was clear that it should. More important than all this, though, was the message that there is very little heroism at the root of a present-day army. The soldiers are cogs in a war machine. The training exercises are designed to form those cogs. It seems misleading, though eminently practical, not to tell recruits that their personalities will be quite fundamentally changed. I'm not aware of any other way currently used to train an army, can certainly see that this can be quite efficient, don't deny that a defense is needed and that there's a balance of sorts by having the diplomats control the military, but it seems that it's this sort of training that results in low-level decisions (such as those involving the Korean airliner) being made on a pro-war basis. Finally, the underlying atmosphere was very mean, sexist, and red- necked at times, with soldiers scoffing at "civil rights" in favour of "the basics". It was something not easily forgotten, made more so by the fact that it was presented entirely straight, without hype. Not having personal experience with the military, I can't say whether the episode presents a true picture of the situation. I can imagine the particular segment of the forces shown was chosen to make the strongest point possible. So, I'm not saying anyone who's been in the army has been brainwashed into being a ruthless, red-necked, killer; I'd be very surprised if even a substantial minority actually came out (or stay in) liking killing. p. rowley, U. Toronto
stanwyck@ihuxr.UUCP (10/11/83)
Re: (something like....) recruits should be told they will have their
personalities fundamentally changed.
I have seen the very thing (personality changes) mentioned in a few
individuals, primarily in one branch of the service. I served for
four years, all but 3 months of it on all-service bases.
For the most part, the only cases of personality change I saw were
from the Marine Corps basic program. The Army, Navy, and especially
the Air Force run very different basic programs. The USAF runs
what is essentially a 6-week classroom course. It does very little
to instill any type of instant response to command, or other activity
associated with combat type training. And why should it? Most
USAF recruits end up in behind-the-desk jobs, or mechanic positions.
Definately not on the front lines.
However, I also see the reasoning behind the Marine Corps basic.
If for some reason I were in a combat situation (altho I haven't the
slightest idea how you could get me there) I would want those around me
to be super-efficient fighting machines, not problem ponderers.
I would want them to respond instantly to command, even if it were
of a suicidal nature. (In war games, it is often the practice to
sacrifice the few to save the many.)
Don Stanwyck ihnp4!ihuxr!stanwyck