ABSTRACT

Young men heading into recruit training were in for a rude awakening. The first step before recruit training involved reporting to the induction center for physical and intelligence testing. For many young men, the goodbyes as they left for training were very hard, although they paled in comparison to later ones for those leaving for Vietnam. Physical training, often marching and running in the heat of the day, occupied a significant part of the early stages of training. The fundamental power relationship in training was between the recruit and the drill instructor, who established the tone for the two-month period. One of the functions of basic training and boot camp was to create a man who could respond to commands, do it efficiently and confidently, and not endanger the group. The amount of time devoted to training also affected its effectiveness, as the number of hours decreased when the need for replacements increased significantly in 1967 and 1968.