Why was the drill sergeant so rough on the black troops? What was his goal by being such a jerk?
286268
What are you talking about?
725046
I rise with you. Racism and the fact that some people just cannot stand difference make sure many of us still have to continue looking over our shoulders, despite people like you, who have admirably represented your country in no less a way than any of the bravest that have fought with our armed forces. \n\nRemember that platoon of black soldiers who were refused the highest honors this country could bestow on the bravest of the brave? USA is a long way away from being free and equal to all.
826716
I was in Basic at Ft. Jackson close to four years ago now, and from what I've heard, it's vastly different than it was than when I was there, and that really wasn't that long ago.  When I was there, you're damn right the drill sergeants cussed--and why shouldn't they?  Everyone in the Army cusses.  If you don't like cussing you're in for a rough time merely beyond what you'd hear in Basic.  Everything else I have to say is based on my own experience there, a little less than four years ago, so bear in mind some things might have changed.  Recruits could NOT smoke, could NOT eat things mailed to them (the drill sergeants kept them and often ate them), could only make phone calls once they got out of Red phase and went to White phase and Blue phase (latter phases when increased priviledges were earned by platoons and companies individually).  The only reading they were allowed was a Bible or something else of a religious nature, although newspapers were allowed on Sundays.  You had brief, infrequent, monitored trips to the shoppette, and what you bought there was inspected to make sure you weren't trying to be a sneak and buy things like candy... even orange-flavored cough drops were prohibited.\n\nI realize that people who went to Basic at Ft. Benning, Ft. Knox, Ft. Leonard Wood, Ft. Sill, and other places all consider Ft. Jackson to be the easiest, but I found it to be pretty tough, most of the time--and I realized even then (and appreciated) just how much things had changed from the days when my dad was in the Army during the Vietnam days, when drill sergeants could still beat you to a bloody pulp for being a dumbass, or for any other reason.  It was far easier by the time I got there, and I have no doubt it's even easier than that now, and that's isn't a good thing.  All these restrictions on drill sergeants and on what they can or can't do or make recruits do usually come from complaints made by parents and civilians and others who have little or nothing to do with the Army, and frankly have no business whining about how Basic is conducted.  It's SUPPOSED to be hard, it's SUPPOSED to weed out people who don't belong there; there are SUPPOSED to be people who drop out or are removed.  And they aren't soldiers until AFTER they've completed Basic.  Would you call a guy on his first day of flight school a pilot, or a first-day med student a doctor?  Some titles are earned, and "soldier" and "warrior" and certainly "veteran" should still be among those reserved titles.  Let those who know the Army best, and have proven themselves as competent leaders, make decisions on how training should be run... if you've never served, you really have no business telling an E-7 drill sergeant that he can't yell at some dumbass recruit who can't even wash himself.
870327
He was dishonorably discharged?  I thought it was honorable.\n\nThe poor man.  I'm so sorry for them both.
949827
the one thing the answers do not mention from those I have read, is he was about to be withdrawn from combat when wounded and sent to West Point, but the leg wound was so severe that the could not pass the physical.  Too Bad, out country needed/needs leaders like him.  I think in order to go to the military acadamies one should have spent at least one tour in ground forces such as army or marines to give them a real founding in warfare at its basic level.
682681
SH tried to kill GW's daddy.  That's all there is to it.  \n\n"Don't worry, Daddy!  I'll take care of that big, bad nasty man for you!  I might kill 3500 American soldiers in the process, but I'll get him, Daddy!"
238427
Okay, To let it be known, all things that happened in th past is brought up for a reason, to let us know what the deal was. If u havent noticed, history repeats itself in some way. Black slavery was the harshest outta all slaverys as most people have said. Yet, also, alot of other nationalities have been enslaved as well. Its just that ours were the worst. Yer bro-n-law is wrong by the way. U mite wanna educate him, and show him what the deal is, that it wasnt just blacks, it was everyone. Also, it really doent need to be brought up, unless its n a history class. \n\nHave yall seen the Dave Chappelle show, when he did the thing on Slavery Compensation. (i thought that was pretty funny) yet, if thats the case, shouldnt everyone else that was enslaved as well get paid too?? It wouldnt be fair. Ill honestly say that none of us (blacks) deserve to get paid. Paying us in money, for sumthin that has traumatized possibly the whole world is actually priceless. There isnt enuff money in the world to say, "oh its aight"\n\nFinal answers:\nWhy people complain?? Because it still hurts and its the most recent (sort of) Yer bro-n-law is wrong. Most races have went thru some type of slavey in some point of time.\n\nhope i helped
1100025
No, he is driving u crazy!  Get rid of him!  No body should have to live like that!  Who the hell does he think he is, your drill seargent?!  There is no way I would put up with that!  That actually would make me cheat by drilling me all the time!  Dont feel guilty!  You really need to put him in his place!  Slave days are over!
876374
Kerry stated that students my get "stuck in Iraq" if they don't study hard and do their homework. People took this as an insult to our troops, and called him on it. He came out with an apology saying that he had no intention of offending those in uniform. He mis read the telepromter (or something to that affect) and botched up a joke directed at Bush and his hadling with the war in Iraq.
25631
I have a brother in the Marines and he is in Iraq, so I know the comradery that exists between members of the corps and doubless in the army as well.  If you were to watch as your buddy get's killed or maimed by someone, and then were given the job of guarding that man in prison, I find it hard to believe that you would treat that person as well as our Marines and soldiers are treating the people they nab.  People that are always going on about how badly our boys are behaving need to get a life.  They are giving their all to keep this country safe from terror attacks, and the least we can do is give them moral support.  If that is too much to ask, at least shut up about all the criticism.
830607
Basic is getting softer.  The reason behind this is that Americans as a whole are getting softer and weaker.  The whole point of Basic (and AIT to an extent) is to condition and help mold a person into becoming a soldier.  As a soldier, you must be mentally and physically prepared to handle stress, to handle hard situations.  \n\nThe original point of a hard Drill Sergeant was to provide these situations.  How can a you expect a person to be able to handle combat and stressfull situations if you baby them and make Basic and AIT a "more college-like atmosphere to provoke an easier learning environment" (as one TRADOC BDE CMD mandated).  \n\nParents these days are too concerned when they hear that their son/daughter is getting cussed at.  Recruits take it personnel when they are called anything but "Warrior/Soldier."  \n\nAmericans must realize that the Military is not a place for the weak, or a place to promote weakness.  We are here to defend the nations interests, which will require people to die.  That is the nature of war.  If American society cant handle that, I am truely worried about the future of our great Nation.
805345
a lot of great answers. being a black person myself. i see racism all the time and its ugly. not only do you have to play at a high level on the field you have to endure a lot of injustice and ignorance. think about not being able to fight your detractors or say anything negative about them. anything he did or say could have set blacks back in baseball for years. he had to endure a lot and tolerate a lot of bigotry. basically its all about character and a higher belief in GOD. because he was blessed and GOD made sure no weapon formed against him had the opportunity to prosper. faith my brother was his greatest characteristic.
264007
I wish I knew, it pisses me off. I was in the Army and I am proud of that. The Army teaches you discipline, and I wish that everyone had to go through bootcamp at least, to learn some things about themselves they would never know otherwise. It sifts the cowards and the weak through the brave and the strong, I think the weak and cowardly should just shut their damn mouths up.
473445
I was hoping that maybe it was a social commentary on how people actually behave and think, but I think it was more about him being a dick.  Can I say dick on here?  Anyway, it wasn't very funny.  And what's a gay guy doing making racist comments anyway?
950544
sick of it why is a black man from Harlem speaking in 17Th century English but that's not even as bad as the craparooni and staring at his hand for a half an hour he took the rocks move and made that suck he cant even keep up the accent through his whole monologue \nhe sucks and she is a crackhead
1086504
I think that it is disgraceful, especially since there are a lot of good Marines that want to be with their sick/dying family and they cannot because they have Commands that say they are too valuable to spare, or they know it is their duty to be there for their brothers and sisters (fellow Marines) in this time of war.  It would be one thing if he was actually taking care of business and being there for his father, but he isn't.  If he isn't man enough to represent the Corps the way it should be then he needs to have his ass kicked by someone (figuratively or literally), I am sure his father isn't proud of the fact that his son is a dirtbag (unless his is one too, but I am going on the assumption he is not).  In my opinion, the military can do without people like him.
251873
Army guys, if movies have taught me anything, tend to be tough, testosterone-laden assholes, so you can expect a lot of verbal abuse, as well as a lot of grab-assing.  Deal with it by showing them you're just as tough as they think they are right away.  The sooner you gain their respect, the sooner you'll be treated as one of the guys, and not some cu te girl.